It would be almost impossible to find a hymnal that does not include a large number of hymns written by the 18th century Anglican minister and evangelist, Charles Wesley (1707-1788). An amazingly prolific writer, he penned more than 9,000 poems of a spiritual nature during his lifetime, at least 6,500 of which are hymns. He has justly been called “The Bard of Methodism.” What an incredible legacy to have left the church, with a body of hymnody that has been welcomed across denominational lines, well beyond the Methodist churches that grew out of his and his brother John’s preaching during the Great Awakening!
A substantial number of his writings were completed while riding on horseback to his evangelistic meetings. What really set Charles apart from other hymn writers was his effective use of scriptural allusions, providing a spiritual roadmap whereby individuals could imagine a Christ-centered life. Scholars suggest that he was able to compose about 10 lines of verse daily for 50 years. Charles’ brother John sometimes served as editor to his hymns. John’s typical response was, “some were good, some were mediocre, and some were exceptional.” John can also be credited with improving the singability of Charles’ hymns. Both John and Charles were instrumental in changing the spiritual environment of Britain during the 18th century. In doing so, they formed the bedrock of what Methodism has become worldwide. Their unwavering devotion to expressing Christian spirituality through hymns has impacted individuals across all denominational lines.