Wesley, Charles (1707-88) At Christ Church, Oxford, his earnest system of religious study earned the description 'Methodist'. He was ordained priest in 1735 before a mission to Georgia, but dated his conversion from Whit Sunday, 21 May 1738. He preached in London, but then became an itinerant preacher and lieutenant to his brother, John . Charles married in 1749, and thereafter his wife accompanied him on his travels. He retired through ill health in 1761. He is said to have written 6,500 hymns. His diary was begun in January 1729, kept regularly for twenty years, and then irregularly till 1756.

19 July 1738   I rose very heavy, and backward to visit them for the last time. At six I prayed and sang with them all together. The Ordinary would read prayers, and preached most miserably.Mr Sparks and Mr Broughton were present. I felt my heart full of tender love to the latter. He administered. All the ten received. Then he prayed; and I after him.

At half-hour past nine their irons were knocked off, and their hands tied. By half-hour past ten we came to Tyburn, waited till eleven: then were brought the children appointed to die. I got upon the cart with Sparks and Broughton: the Ordinary endeavoured to follow, when the poor prisoners begged he might not come; and the mob kept him down.

I prayed first, then Sparks and Broughton. We had prayed before that our Lord would show there was a power superior to the fear of death. Newington had quite forgot his pain. They were all cheerful; full of comfort, peace, and triumph; assuredly persuaded Christ had died for them, and waited to receive them into paradise. Greenaway was impatient to be with Christ.

The Black had spied me coming out of the coach, and saluted me with his looks. As often as his eyes met mine, he smiled with the most composed, delightful countenance I ever saw. Read caught hold of my hand in a transport of joy. Newington seemed perfectly pleased. Hudson declared he was never better, or more at ease, in mind and body. None showed any natural terror of death: no fear, or crying, or tears. All expressed their desire of our following them to paradise. I never saw such calm triumph, such incredible indifference to dying. We sang several hymns; particularly,

Behold the Saviour of mankind,
Nail'd to the shameful tree;
and the hymn entitled, 'Faith in Christ' which concludes, 'A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, Into thy hands I fall: Be thou my life, my righteousness, My Jesus, and my all.'

We prayed Him, in earnest faith, to receive their spirits. I could do nothing but rejoice: kissed Newington and Hudson; took leave of each in particular. Mr Broughton bade them not be surprised when the cart should draw away. They cheerfully replied, they should not; expressed some concern how we should get back to our coach. We left them going to meet their Lord, ready for the Bridegroom. When the cart drew off, not one stirred, or struggled for life, but meekly gave up their spirits. Exactly at twelve they were turned off. 1 spoke a few suitable words to the crowd; and returned, full of peace and confidence in our friends happiness. That hour under the gallows was the most blessed hour of my life. Charles Wesley


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