Charles Wesley

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Template:Methodism Image:Charles Wesley.jpg Charles Wesley (12 December 1707 - 29 March 1788) was a leader of the Methodist movement, the younger brother of John Wesley. Charles Wesley is chiefly remembered for the many hymns he wrote.

Like his brother, he was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, where their father was rector. He was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church College, Oxford, where his brother had also studied, and formed the "Oxford Methodist" group among his fellow students in 1729. John Wesley later joined this group, as did George Whitefield. Charles followed his father and brother into the church in 1735, and travelled with John to Georgia in America in the entourage of the governor, James Oglethorpe, returning a year later.

Despite their closeness, Charles and his brother did not always agree on questions relating to their beliefs. In particular, Charles was strongly opposed to the idea of a breach with the Church of England into which they had been ordained.

In 1749, he married the much younger Sarah Gwynne, daughter of Marmaduke Gwynne, a wealthy Welsh squire who had been converted to Methodism by Howell Harris. She accompanied the brothers on their evangelical journeys throughout Britain, until Charles ceased to travel in 1765.

Charles and Sarah had 8 children together (only three of whom survived infancy), including Samuel Wesley (1766 – 1837), an organist and composer.

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Best-known hymns

In the course of his career, Charles Wesley wrote the words of several thousand hymns, many of which are still popular. These include:

"And Can It Be That I Should Gain?" (Lyrics)
"Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" (Lyrics)
"Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies" (Lyrics)
"Come, O Thou Traveler unknown" (Lyrics)
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" (Lyrics)
"Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise" (Lyrics)
"Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" (Lyrics)
"Jesu, Lover of My Soul" (Lyrics)
"Jesus, The Name High Over All" (Lyrics)
"Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending" (Lyrics)
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" (Lyrics)
"O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" (Lyrics)
"Rejoice, the Lord is King" (Lyrics)
"Soldiers of Christ, Arise" (Lyrics)
"Ye Servants of God" (Lyrics)

The lyrics to many more of Charles Wesley's hymns can be found on Wikisource.

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Legacy

As a result of his enduring hymnody, the Gospel Music Association recognized his musical contributions to the art of gospel music in 1995 by listing his name in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

His son, Samuel Wesley, is also recognized for his musical contributions.

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