Considers the life and work of Charles Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism.
Charles Wesley (1707–88) is most celebrated as a hymnwriter, and three of the essays in this book discuss this topic. They analyze how his verse encouraged both individuals and the church collectively to seek "renewal"; his use of symbolic language and the psychological responses that this engenders; and the complex history of the changing music to which his hymns are sung. Another essay focuses on Charles’s role as an evangelist and leader in the early years of the Evangelical Revival in Bristol. His role as a pastor is covered in a discussion of his relationship with an eccentric contemporary who dabbled in the occult, John Henderson (1757–88). Finally, there is a detailed analysis of known portraits of Charles Wesley, portraits which illustrated his status as one of history’s most consequential Methodists.
Charles Wesley (1707–88) is most celebrated as a hymnwriter, and three of the essays in this book discuss this topic. They analyze how his verse encouraged both individuals and the church collectively to seek "renewal"; his use of symbolic language and the psychological responses that this engenders; and the complex history of the changing music to which his hymns are sung. Another essay focuses on Charles’s role as an evangelist and leader in the early years of the Evangelical Revival in Bristol. His role as a pastor is covered in a discussion of his relationship with an eccentric contemporary who dabbled in the occult, John Henderson (1757–88). Finally, there is a detailed analysis of known portraits of Charles Wesley, portraits which illustrated his status as one of history’s most consequential Methodists.
Table of Contents
1. Editorial – Clive Norris
2. Charles Wesley’s Role in the Formative Early Years in Bristol, 1739-41 – Gary Best
3. Songs of Renewal: The language of renewal in the hymns of Charles Wesley – Paul Chilcote
4. Charles Wesley’s Hymns and Archaic Symbols – Pauline Watson
5. Music and Charles Wesley’s Legacy – Martin Clarke
6. Portraits of Charles Wesley and his Family – Peter Forsaith
7. ‘From all the arts of hell secure’: Charles Wesley’s relationship to John Henderson (1757-88) – Jonathan Barry
2. Charles Wesley’s Role in the Formative Early Years in Bristol, 1739-41 – Gary Best
3. Songs of Renewal: The language of renewal in the hymns of Charles Wesley – Paul Chilcote
4. Charles Wesley’s Hymns and Archaic Symbols – Pauline Watson
5. Music and Charles Wesley’s Legacy – Martin Clarke
6. Portraits of Charles Wesley and his Family – Peter Forsaith
7. ‘From all the arts of hell secure’: Charles Wesley’s relationship to John Henderson (1757-88) – Jonathan Barry