Today in Methodist history

Today is the 236th anniversary of the death of Charles Wesley.

From the Charles Wesley Society—

During his adult life, Charles traveled, preached, wrote poetry and hymns, saw to the work of the Methodist societies, bands, and classes, and remained loyal to the Anglican Church until his death. He argued against John’s path of increasing separation from the Church of England that included ordaining ministers, sanctioning their offering the sacraments, and scheduling of worship services at the same hour as local Anglican churches.

He wrote more than 6,500 texts, including the poems and hymns. His range of poetic meters demanded the composition of new tunes and rhythms. His use of Scripture in his texts is unprecedented, with only the books of Obadiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, and Third John not used. The brothers published sixty-four collections of hymns between 1738 and 1785, many of which consisted of only Charles’ texts.

Wesley died on March 29, 1788 in Marylebone, London, England; his final hymn was dictated to his wife on his deathbed:

In age and feebleness extreme,

Who shall a helpless worm redeem?

Jesus, my only hope Thou art,

Strength of my failing flesh and heart,

O, could I catch a smile from Thee

And drop into eternity!

He was buried in the Marylebone Parish Church, London, an Anglican church. He did not wish to be buried in unconsecrated, Methodist ground; his gravestone reads:

HERE LIE

THE REMAINS OF

THE REV.

CHARLES WESLEY, M.A.

WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE

THE 29TH MARCH 1788

AGED 80 YEARS.

WITH POVERTY OF SPIRIT BLESSED

REST HAPPY SAINT IN JESUS REST.

A SINNER SAVED THROUGH GRACE FORGIVEN

REDEEMED FROM EARTH TO REIGN IN HEAVEN.

AND LABOURS OF UNWEARIED LOVE

BY THEE FORGOT ARE CROWN’D ABOVE

CROWN’D THROUGH THE MERCY OF THY LORD

WITH A FREE FULL IMMENSE REWARD