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John (1703-91)
and Charles (1707-1788) were two of thirteen children born to Samuel
and Susanna Wesley. Samuel was rector of Epworth, Lincolnshire.
Susanna was a deeply spiritual woman who was a great influence on
her children. John and Charles trained for the Anglican ministry
at Oxford, where, with others,
they lived such disciplined and devout lives they were nicknamed‚
methodists‘.
After an unsuccessful period as chaplains in the American colonies
they returned to London where, in May 1738 they both had separate
spiritual experiences assuring them of the saving grace of Christ.
John embarked on a travelling ministry of evangelical preaching
to the working classes of the growing towns
of the Industrial Revolution. He preached the free grace of God
and the call to holy living. He organised converts into societies
and classes where they supported each other spiritually and pastorally,
whilst at the same time attending their local Anglican church.
Charles
had a more settled life as an Anglican priest, but wrote over 6000
hymns, some of which are among the finest ever written. His poetry
drew upon Scripture, his classical and literary education, and his
awareness of popular culture. These hymns provided memorable, and
at times daring theology for the Methodist movement. Charles married
in 1749 and came to settle in Marylebone. He is buried in the former
graveyard
of Marylebone Parish Church, and his tomb can be seen in the small
public garden at the north end of Marylebone High Street. John‘s
tomb is at Wesley‘s Chapel. City Road, London. After John‘s
death the Methodist movement separated from the Church of England.
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