The other Wesley -- Charles, part 1

Charles Wesley would have been more famous in his own right had he not been overshadowed by his younger brother John.  Although most people call John "the founder of Methodism," Charles was actually the one who began the small group at Oxford which was later derisively called "The Holy Club."  Over time, the group became more methodical in their Christian actions, meeting four times a week to discuss scripture and theological ideas, visiting the ill poor and those in prison, taking communion weekly,* and fasting twice a week.  By 1732 the group was mockingly called "the Methodists" (Pollock, John.  John Wesley.  (Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers, 1989 and 1995) 50-56).  They would willingly claim this name.

Charles Wesley
(Wesley's Chapel, London,
13 October 2012)

Charles was clergy in the Church of England just like John.  His "heart conversion" by the Holy Spirit occurred three days before John's famous experience with the Spirit (John's encounter is now honored by a monument in front of the London Museum).  Charles visited Newgate Prison as part of his witness, and was asked by condemned men to accompany them to the gallows for their hangings.  He agreed.  This was absolutely shocking for the time -- upright clergy at Oxford did not bother with those who were poor, who were sick, and especially those who were criminals.  The condemned were allowed to speak before their hangings and huge crowds came because it was a form of entertainment.  One condemned man testified how Charles had brought him to Christ, and immediately after his death, Charles spontaneously preached.  The very next day, everyone connected with the 7 member so-called "Holy Club" lost their ability to preach in Church of England pulpits.  This led to them preaching in the open air, and thus reaching hundreds of thousands of persons who did not attend the Church of England.

"Execution of the Idle Apprentice at Tyburn" by William Hogarth.
This is a fascinating representation.  You see the gallows on the right?  Just to the left of it is the
Church of England clergyman going to officiate at the hanging, and then on the left
is the prisoner in a cart, holding a book.  The man next to him is obviously preaching,
and his book says "Wesley" on it.
Hogarth's message about the Methodists here is that they ministered to the willing condemned.
(Wellcome Library, London)

Charles was incredibly brave, and for the first 12 years of the Methodist movement, he is sent into the dangerous areas of the country to preach.  In 1740 there were miners rioting for bread who marched on the city of Bristol.  Charles rode out to meet them and convinced them not to riot by promising he would advocate for them.  He was a warm and friendly person who got along with people of all classes.  John was "prickly and awkward" and disliked the rich because he felt they were wasteful and uncaring (remember, he fasted to save money to give to the poor, so he was really dedicated to them).  Charles soothed ruffled feathers and could talk to anyone.  Most of the clergy who joined the Methodist movement joined because of Charles and not John.  However, John was a active doer and pusher, and thus he is considered the founder of Methodism.

 

"Dr" Rock, the quack, peddling his wares in the foreground.
In background, Charles and John are preaching.
(Wellcome Library, L0010548)

At that time, odd as it may seem to us now, only the psalms were allowed to be sung in the Church of England.  But John had learned from a German Christian group called the Moravians how powerful hymns could be, and so he encouraged Charles to use his talents to write them.  Charles wrote hymns as he rode throughout the country to preach.  (He was considered to be a better preacher than John because he was less dry and more heartfelt.)  Why write hymns?  
Because when you are trying to convert people and then trying to sustain their faith, and a lot of them do not read, music is the solution.  This, of course, was considered by the upper class clergy to be disgustingly low class, especially when Charles would write words for popular tunes of the day, including drinking songs!  John published a hymn book for Methodists, of course including hymns by Charles.  Charles eventually wrote 7000 hymns (Best, "Charles Wesley," 11 October 2012).

*The Church of England only offered Holy Communion twice a year, and even four times a year was considered highly unusual (Best).