Charles Wesley
Later portrait based on eighteenth-century likenesses.
Anglican Priest, Evangelist, and Poet of the Methodist Revival
1707–1788
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Charles Wesley was an English Anglican priest, evangelist, poet, and hymn writer whose work gave enduring expression to the theology and spiritual experience of the Methodist revival. Although often remembered primarily as the younger brother of John Wesley, Charles was a major religious leader in his own right. Through thousands of hymns, he taught Christian doctrine, interpreted Scripture, and gave worshippers language for repentance, conversion, assurance, sanctification, suffering, and praise.
Charles was born on December 18, 1707, in Epworth, Lincolnshire. He was the son of Samuel Wesley, an Anglican priest, and Susanna Wesley, whose disciplined instruction strongly shaped the religious and intellectual lives of her children. Charles attended Westminster School and later entered Christ Church, Oxford. While at Oxford, he gathered with a small group of students for regular prayer, Bible reading, Communion, fasting, and charitable work. Because of the group’s methodical spiritual discipline, other students mockingly called them “Methodists.” (General Commission on Archives & History)
Charles was ordained as an Anglican priest and in 1735 accompanied John Wesley to the colony of Georgia. The mission was difficult and disappointing, and Charles returned to England the following year. Like his brother, he struggled with questions about faith, assurance, and whether his religious efforts had produced genuine trust in Christ.
On May 21, 1738, Charles experienced a profound renewal of faith while recovering from illness. He became convinced that forgiveness and acceptance with God rested upon Christ rather than upon his own religious achievement. This experience preceded John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience by three days and helped launch Charles into a new period of evangelistic preaching and hymn writing. (General Commission on Archives & History)
Charles traveled extensively as an itinerant preacher, proclaiming the gospel in churches, homes, fields, and public spaces. He worked closely with John and other revival leaders, although the brothers did not always agree. Charles remained deeply attached to the Church of England and worried that Methodism might become a separate denomination. His temperament was more cautious than John’s regarding church organization and the use of lay preachers.
His greatest and most lasting contribution was his hymnody. Charles wrote several thousand hymns and sacred poems. Among the best known are “And Can It Be,” “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” and “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.” His hymns were not merely devotional ornaments; they were concise theological compositions. Through memorable poetic language, Charles communicated doctrines of the incarnation, atonement, justification by faith, the witness of the Spirit, new birth, and holiness of heart and life. (Christian Classics Ethereal Library)
In 1749 Charles married Sarah Gwynne, with whom he had a long and affectionate marriage. Their home became a center of hospitality, music, and Christian fellowship. Several of their children became accomplished musicians. In his later years, Charles reduced his travels but continued writing, preaching, and participating in Methodist life. He died in London on March 29, 1788, and was buried in the churchyard of St. Marylebone, reflecting his lifelong identity as a priest of the Church of England. (Wesley Center Online)
As a conversation partner, Charles Wesley demonstrates how poetry and congregational song can become forms of biblical interpretation. His hymns unite doctrine with worship and invite Christians not only to understand the gospel but to confess, sing, and live it. Yet his work, like that of every teacher, must remain subject to Scripture. At his best, Wesley directs attention away from himself and toward the grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly … singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.”
—Colossians 3:16