Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley (1707–1788) was an English Anglican cleric and a principal leader of the Methodist movement. Born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, to Samuel and Susanna Wesley, he attended Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford, where in 1729 he helped organize the "Holy Club," a group dedicated to spiritual discipline. In 1735, he traveled to Georgia as part of a missionary trip. Following a transformative religious experience in 1738, Wesley dedicated his life to the revival of faith within the Church of England. He worked alongside his elder brother, John Wesley, as an evangelist and pastor, helping to spread the Methodist revival. Wesley was a prolific hymn writer, composing between 4,000 and 8,000 hymns during his lifetime. His hymns are noted for their theological focus on grace, salvation, and the love of Christ. Among his most enduring works are "And Can it be that I should gain," "Christ the Lord is Risen Today," "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing," "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," and "Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending." These hymns remain central to Christian worship across many denominations.