The “sweet singer” of Methodism was the last child born to Samuel and Susanna Wesley. With his brother John, he founded and led the Methodist movement. While he was an effective preacher, his greatest contributions to Methodism were his poems and hymns. Among the thousands he wrote are some of the most memorable and beloved hymns of the Christian church, including “O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” and “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.”
“One who has Christ dwelling in his heart, carries his heaven about him everywhere. Then all places are the same.”From a letter to his daughter, Sarah, July 17, 1783
Journal: “Thursday, August 11, 1743: I gathered up a few more scattered sheep, between [Salisbury] and London; not one of whom had ever before in their lives been spoken to by any man concerning their souls. God’s people perish for lack of knowledge. How can any one be so devilish as to forbid our speaking to such outcasts, that they may be saved?”
Journal: “Tuesday, July 31, 1744: I preached in the afternoon to a larger congregation than ever, and continued my discourse till night….The Spirit of love was poured out abundantly, and great grace was upon all. I walked to the Society; stood upon the hill, and sang, and prayed, and rejoiced with exceeding great joy. I concluded the day and month as I would wish to conclude my life.”
“The two grand hinderances of prayer, and consequently of faith, are self-love and pride: therefore our Lord so strongly enjoins us self-denial and humility.”From a letter to his daughter, Sarah, undated, around 1778
“Self-love is not in itself sinful. There is a right and just self-love, which sets a man upon securing his only true (that is, his eternal) happiness.”From a letter to his son Charles, August 14, 1786
“By this brokenness of heart our Saviour prepares us for divine faith and present pardon, sealed upon the heart, in peace which passes all understanding, in joy unspeakable and full of glory, and in love which casts out the love of sin, especially our bosom sin, our ruling passion, whether the love of pleasure, of praise, or of money.”From a letter to Mr. Kelway, November 23, 1776