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Charles Wesley

“Sweet Singer of Methodism”

Presented by theMoore Methodist Museum

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Charles’ Birth

Epworth England

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4Charles Wesley

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Boyhood

• Born at Epworth December 18, 1707• Premature – wrapped in wool for weeks• Carried out of fire at house - 1709• 18th child and youngest of three surviving sons• Parents Samuel and Susanna Wesley• Father was Anglican priest; poor• Four years younger than John• Mother started home-schooling at age 5

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John and Charles Samuel and Susannah

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Young Adult

• Entered Westminster School in London at age 9 - 1716

• Became Kings Scholar – provided free board/tuition

• Became Captain of Westminster School - 1725

• Selected to attend Oxford - 1726

• He organized Holy Club during this time.

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Oxford University England

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While students at Oxford University, Charles and John

began a fellowship of students. What was

this group known as?

Do You Know?

The Holy Club

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Georgia• Sailed with John from Gravesend

December 22, 1735• Simmonds – ship• Landed Savannah February 5,

1736• 26 Moravians on board greatly

influenced both brothers• Oglethorpe’s secretary and

Secretary for Indian Affairs• Left July 26, 1736 (less than 6

months)

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Early Savannah

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Fort Frederica

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Back to England

• Left from Boston to return to England – 1736

• Warmly welcomed; interested in Georgia

• Resumed activities with Oxford Methodists

• Met and reconciled with Oglethorpe in London

• Continued Holy Club • Visited family • Considered returning to

colonies

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Conversion of Charles Wesley

• May 21, 1738 in London at the home of a friend• William Holland read Luther’s commentary on

Galatians• “He loved me and gave himself for me.”• Wrote the hymn “Where shall my wondering

soul begin?” • May 24, 1738 - John Wesley had his Aldersgate

experience.

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Do You Know?

When John and Charles Wesley

founded the Holy Club, how many

members of the House of Commons went to

church?

5 or 6 members

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Life in England

• Driven out of Anglican pulpits

• Mobbed and harassed; even accused of treason

• Yet a tireless Evangelist• Field Preacher

as inspired by George Whitefield

• Preached to coal miners and prisoners

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Marriage• Met Sarah at her house while recuperating from

illness• Father was a magistrate; affluent• Married Sarah Gwynne April 8, 1749• John performed wedding • Sarah was a gifted singer• 8 children; only 3 survived infancy• Children – Charles, Jr., Sarah, and Samuel• Married until his death on March 29, 1788

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Sarah and Charles

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Were Charles Wesley’s hymns

sung in the parish

churches during his lifetime?

Do You Know?

No, they were sung in the market squares and fields of England.

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Charles wrote over 6,000 hymns!

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What famous classical composer

wrote tunes for Charles Wesley and

also wrote the famous

oratorio “Messiah”?

Do You Know?

George Frederic Handel

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“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”

• Appeared in 1739 in the book, Hymns and Sacred Poems

• Originally called “Hymn for Christmas Day”

• 10 four line stanzas; 6 generally used today

• George Whitefield included it in his Collection in 1753

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How many hymns did Charles

Wesley compose?

Do You Know?

Over 6,000

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Charles’ DeathFinal Words

“Whatever the world may have thought of me, I have lived, and I died, in the communion of the Church of England, and I will be buried in the yard of my parish church.”

Died in London on March 29, 1788 at the age of 81

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Buried at Marylebone Old Church, England

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Wesley Memorial

WestminsterAbby

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Happy 300 th Birthday!

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You’re invited to see all this and more at the Moore Methodist Museum.

Sign up for the Charles Wesley Celebration.