Published: September 25, 2008 05:52 pm            

Hymns – 'All Glory To God'

Charles Wesley was born on Dec. 18, 1707, in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England.

Charles’ father Samuel was Rector in the Church of England. He had an older brother John, and both were brought up in the church and both were excellent students in school.

They both attended school at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford.

It was while in school here that Charles organized the “Oxford Methodist” group among fellow students.

This was in 1727. Charles was 20 years old at the time. A lot of historians give brother John Wesley credit for organizing the group (Oxford Methodist).

Both Charles and John actually played a great roll in this organization.

John joined the group in 1729 and soon became its leader. He molded the group to his own notions. John was the natural born leader.

He also wanted to take the group in a different direction than the Church of England was taking.

It was not possible to sing songs or hymns in the Church of England. It was not possible for one to have a personal relationship with Christ.

The priest did the praying for the congregation and a special choir sang and chanted the psalms, no musical instruments were allowed to be played freely.

Although Charles and John were very close, and both had been ordained by the Church of England they had their differences and disagreements. They differed sharply on the Methodist movements.

John was taking the new movement to another level and denouncing the Anglican Church.

Charles was strongly opposed to the idea of a breach with the Church of England, into which he and John had taken their vows and were ordained. Charles is remembered for his hymn writing.

He wrote over 6,000 hymns. Charles would sometimes preach when called upon.

John is remembered for his powerful and forceful preaching; but he also wrote some hymns.

Charles founded the “Wesley Chapel,” in the village of Brayton, which is just South of Selby.

His house is still located nearby, and can still be visited by tourist today.

John’s father Samuel also joined the nonconformist movement and left the Church of England.

In 1735 Charles also joined with his father and John and they resolved their differences.

John and Charles were invited to America on a mission trip and were met in Georgia by Gov. James Oglethorpe.

They stayed about a year teaching and preaching, then returned to England to resume their ministry there.

In 1749, Charles married at age 42 to a beautiful lady, much younger than he, named Sarah Gwynne.

Her father was Marmaduke Gwynne, a wealthy Welsh squire who had also been converted to Methodism by the Rev. Howell Harris.

The Rev. John and Charles teamed up together and began preaching throughout England. John did the preaching and Charles wrote hymns and led the singing.

This was a time of great revivals throughout Europe and this was a perfect team.

Charles’ wife Sarah traveled with them for 16 years until Charles ceased traveling in 1765.

Charles and Sarah had eight children. However only three of them survived infancy.

They were Charles Wesley Jr., Samuel Wesley and daughter Sarah Wesley.

Both Charles and Samuel were like their father, they had a talent for music and both became composers and organist. Charles died on March 29, 1788, in London.

Charles Hutchinson Gabriel wrote the music for this hymn. He was born on Aug. 18, 1856, in Wilton, Iowa. Charles grew up on a farm in Iowa and taught himself to play the family’s reed organ.

By age 16 he began teaching in singing schools. In a short time he became a well-known teacher and composer.

He was hired as music director at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in San Francisco, Calif., from 1890 to 1892.

He moved to Chicago, Ill. In 1912 he went to work with Homer Rodeheaver’s Publishing Company. He edited 43 songbooks, seven men’s chorus books, 19 anthem collections and 23 cantatas.

Charles died on Sept. 15, 1932.



Stories Behind the Hymns is taken from “104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories, Vols. I and II,” written by Warren Shiver of Biscoe. He can be reached by e-mail at wshiver99@embarqmail.com or by snail mail at P.O. Box 775, Biscoe, NC 27209. Visit www.myfavoritehymnstories.com for more information on purchasing the books.

        

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