The year 2007 will be the tercentenary of, perhaps, the second most famous Methodist, Charles Wesley, younger brother of John. He was born on 18th December 1707 to Samuel and Susannah Wesley in the rectory at Epworth and was raised in an atmosphere of thrift and diligence and the strict doctrines of the Anglican Church. Initially he was taught by his mother and then entered Westminster School in 1716 where his eldest brother Samuel was a teacher. Later he was to follow John to Christ Church, Oxford. While still a boy, his father received a letter from the M.P. for the county of Meath in Ireland. The writer was a Garret Wesley (or Wellesley) offering the Rev Wesley, if he had a son named Charles, to make him his heir. This gentleman contributed to his support for several years. Eventually he made his offer in person to the young Charles who after consideration gratefully declined it. Mr Wesley/Wellesley then bequeathed his estates to his cousin who later became a peer and whose grandson was the famous Iron Duke (of Wellington). How different things might have been if Charles had accepted the offer!

At Oxford with John he dedicated his life to study and religious observance. While in his third year he adopted a methodical and serious way of life and thus the Holy Club was formed and the derisory term Methodists came into being. Charles was the first Methodist but very quickly John assumed leadership of the group. Having graduated in 1732, Charles was ordained in 1735. During the same year his father Samuel died and the family home was broken up. He joined John on his trip to Georgia to take employment as secretary to the Governor James Oglethorpe. A few years later he had returned to England and was quite ill. It was at this time he came under the influence of Peter Bohler who was a Moravian and he was attracted to his beliefs. It was under his influence and that of his host a Mr Bray that he renounced his self-righteousness and in his opinion, Whitsunday 21st May 1738 was the date of his conversion.

Having recovered from his illness, he took the post of curate for a Rev Stonehouse who was vicar of St Mary’s in Islington. He remained in the post for less than a year before he, like John and George Whitfield, took to the roads and fields as a preacher and evangelist. His travels took him to Bristol where he made the acquaintance of a Mr Marmaduke Gwynne from Garth, near Brecon in South Wales. This gentleman was a man of considerable means and a convert to Methodism. Two years later, Charles visited Mr Gwynne when on his way to preach in Ireland and fell in love with Sarah his young daughter. On April 8th 1749 they were married by John, the groom being nearly twenty years older than the bride. It was a happy and fruitful marriage and Sarah bore eight children. Sadly, only the three youngest Charles, Sarah and Samuel survived infancy.

At the end of 1756, Charles ceased his travelling and he and Sarah settled in Bristol. Occasionally he would go up to London where he continued to preach. The family was granted a lease of a fine town house by a Mrs Gumby. Situated in Chesterfield St, Marylebone, near Regent’s Park it was a few miles from John’s home. The two brothers were very close but this did not prevent frequent disagreements concerning articles of belief and John’s marriage. Charles was particularly concerned about John’s separation from the Church of England. In spite of poor health Charles preached when ever he could until he died at home on March 29th 1788 in his eightieth year. Devout Anglican to the end, he was buried in St Marylebone church yard. He is described on the memorial tablet at City Road Methodist Chapel thus. "As a preacher, he was eminent for abilities, zeal and usefulness, being learned without pride, and pious without ostentation".

His other memorials are to be found in churches and chapels of various denominations throughout the land and the world in the form of his great hymns. He wrote his first, a "Hymn to Midnight" at the age of twenty six and by the time of his death he had produced 7,000 and he is without doubt the greatest of hymn writers. Poetry was in his blood and he was the son and brother of poets. He bequeathed his talents to his son Samuel who became an organist and composer. His hymns are sung daily and the words mean much to those who sing them. Small in stature but tall in his talent and his Christian belief, the ‘first’ Methodist will long be remembered and celebrated.

God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith;
the warmth of Christmas, which is love;
the radiance of Christmas, which is purity;
the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
the belief in Christmas, which is truth;
the all of Christmas, which is Christ.
                                                                                    Wilda English