Charles Wesley

English Methodist and hymn writer (1707-1788)

Charles Wesley (18 December 170729 March 1788) was a leader of the Methodist movement, the younger brother of John Wesley. Despite their closeness, Charles and his brother did not always agree on questions relating to their beliefs. In particular, Charles was strongly opposed to the idea of a breach with the Church of England into which they had been ordained. Charles Wesley is chiefly remembered for the many hymns he wrote.

God buries his workmen, but carries on his work.

Quotes

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  • God buries his workmen, but carries on his work.
    • As quoted in Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature (1889); this appears with two quotes of John Wesley on the monument to both men in Westminster Abbey, and is commonly attributed to John.

Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739)

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Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
 
Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us thy humble home
  • Hail the heavenly Prince of Peace!
    Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

    Light and life to all he brings,
    Risen with healing in his wings.
    Mild he lays his glory by,
    Born that man no more may die,
    Born to raise the sons of earth,
    Born to give them second birth.
    • "Hymn for Christmas-Day"
  • Come, Desire of nations, come,
    Fix in us thy humble home
    ;
    Rise, the woman's conquering Seed,
    Bruise in us the serpent's head. . . .
    Adam's likeness, Lord, efface;
    Stamp thine image in its place.
    Second Adam from above,
    Reinstate us in thy love.
    • "Hymn for Christmas-Day"
  • Jesus, lover of my soul,
    let me to Thy bosom fly,
    While the nearer waters roll,
    while the tempest still is high.
    Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
    till the storm of life is past;
    Safe into the haven guide;
    O receive my soul at last.

Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895)

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Quotes reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895).
  • Depth of mercy! — can there be
    Mercy still reserved for me?
    Can my God His wrath forbear?
    Me, the chief of sinners, spare?
    • p. 273
  • One family — we dwell in Him,
    One church above, beneath,
    Though now divided by the stream,
    The narrow stream of death.
    • p. 150
  • Other refuge have I none;
    Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
    Leave, ah, leave me not alone,
    Still support and comfort me!
    All my trust on Thee is stayed,
    All my help from Thee I bring;
    Cover my defenseless head
    With the shadow of Thy wing.
    • p. 591


Disputed

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  • Why should the Devil have all the best tunes?
    • Attributed to Wesley in America Over the Water (2004) by Shirley Collins, p. 113, it is earlier attributed to his brother John, in The English Poets: Addison to Blake (1880) by Thomas Humphry Ward, and even earlier to George Whitefield, in The Monthly Review, or, Literary Journal, Vol. 49 (June 1773 - January 1774), p. 430; this has also been reported as a remark made by Rowland Hill, when he arranged an Easter hymn to the tune of "Pretty, Pretty Polly Hopkins, in The Rambler, Vol. 9 (1858), p. 191; as well as to William Booth, who popularized it as an addage in promoting The Salvation Army.
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