Subject:  AMERICAN MINUTE - Dec. 18 - Charles Wesley
Date:  Sun, 18 Dec 2005 13:17:31 GMT
American Minute with Bill Federer
December 18

"Hark the herald angels sing” was a popular carol written by Charles Wesley, born this day, December 18, 1707, at Epworth, England.
He was the youngest son and 18th child of Rev. Samuel and Susanna Wesley.
Excelling in school, Charles came to the attention of Garret Wesley, or Wellesley, a Member of Parliament with a large fortune in Daugan, Ireland.
Having no child, he offering to adopt Charles as his heir, but Charles declined.
After graduating from Oxford, Charles sailed to the colony of Georgia with his brother, John, who served as the colony’s Anglican minister.
Charles was secretary to the colony’s founder, General James Oglethorpe.
Their desire to minister to the Indians never materialize so they returned to England where their preaching started the Great Awakening Revival.
John founded the Methodist Church and Charles wrote over 6,000 hymns.
In 1753, around the time 21-year-old George Washington was fighting in the French and Indian War, Charles Wesley penned the famous words:
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Glory to the new-born King, Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem."
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