Date post: | 08-Jul-2015 |
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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.