Historical studies about the Methodists and the Great Awakening tend to focus more on George Whitefield and John Wesley. But Charles was just as influential, if not more so, on George Whitefield than brother John was.
What did George Whitefield have to say about Charles? Whitefield had a lot to say about his dear and honored friend Charles Wesley. He wrote about Charles in his journals with thankfulness to God for him and his ministry. Although the two men had serious theological disagreements, they loved one another deeply as true brothers in Christ.
Here are thirteen quotes from George Whitefield about Charles Wesley. Charles was aware of these sentiments from his beloved friend, and he likewise held Whitefield in high esteem.
1. Never-To-Be-Forgotten Friend
Whitefield took the time to write out the events leading up to his new birth in Christ from his own perspective. He thought it unnecessary to speak much about his earliest years. However, God had been working to save George even from a young age.
My very infant years must necessarily not be mentioned; yet I can remember such early stirrings of corruption in my heart, as abundantly convinces me that I was conceived and born in sin; that in me dwelleth no good thing by nature, and that if God had not freely prevented me by His grace, I must have been for ever banished from His Divine presence.
George Whitefield, Journal, A Short Account, Section I.
God continued to stir in Whitefield’s heart. George desired fellowship with other serious, sober-minded people.
While at Oxford, Whitefield heard testimony about the Methodists, John and Charles Wesley. Most of the talk on campus about these serious and devoted individuals was negative. Mocking and ridicule.
But George was encouraged to hear about them.
The young men so called were much talked of at Oxford. I had heard of, and loved them before I came to the University; and so strenuously defended them when I heard them reviled by the students, that they began to think that I also in time should be one of them.
Ibid.
For about a year, Whitefield longed to be part of the Methodist fellowship. Eventually, Whitefield sent a messenger to Charles Wesley anonymously. However, the messenger told Charles who had sent her.
Charles Wesley then invited George Whitefield to breakfast. Whitefield accepted.
I thankfully embraced the opportunity; and, blessed be God! it was one of the most profitable visits I ever made in my life. My soul, at that time, was athirst for some spiritual friends to lift up my hands when they hung down, and to strengthen my feeble knees. He soon discovered it, and, like a wise winner of souls, made all his discourses tend that way.
Ibid.
Charles Wesley was the type of friend Whitefield longed for. God continued to use Charles Wesley as an encourager. Charles gave Whitefield some books that would lead to his spiritual awakening.
In short time he let me have another book, entitled, “The Life of God in the Soul of Man”; and, though I had fasted, watched and prayed, and received the Sacrament so long, yet I never knew what true religion was, till God sent me that excellent treatise by the hands of my never-to-be-forgotten friend.
Ibid.
Whitefield’s never-to-be-forgotten friend was Charles Wesley. This book led George Whitefield to understanding the importance of the New Birth in true religion. This truth would become the central focus of Whitefield’s preaching ministry.
While Whitefield would become famous for this, it was thanks to the influence of Charles Wesley.
2. Built Up
Whitefield had been awakened to a new understanding of true religion. He began speaking to everyone he could about the importance of the new birth.
People weren’t as excited to hear about it as he was to tell them about it.
Upon this, like the woman of Samaria, when Christ revealed Himself to her at the well I had no rest in my soul till I wrote letters to my relations, telling them there was such a thing as the new birth. I imagined they would have gladly received it. But, alas! my words seemed to them as idle tales.
Ibid.
This made Whitefield cling even more to the Methodists. Particularly, to his dear friend, Charles Wesley.
From time to time Mr. [Charles] Wesley permitted me to come unto him, and instructed me as I was able to bear it. By degrees he introduced me to the rest of his Christian brethren. They built me up daily in the knowledge and fear of God, and taught me to endure hardness like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Ibid.
Whitefield was being built up by Charles Wesley and the other Oxford Methodists. This was even before Charles himself was truly converted.
(For more on the original Methodists of Oxford and the conversion of Charles Wesley, see our other posts.)
3. Spiritual Fathers
George held the Wesley brothers in high esteem for their influence on both himself and others. He described his perspective on the effect of their openness in confessing Christ and living methodically for His glory.
The world, and not themselves, gave them the title of Methodists, I suppose, from their custom of regulating their time, and planning the business of the day every morning. Mr. John and Charles Wesley, were two of the first that thus openly dared to confess Christ; and they, under God, were the spiritual fathers of most of them.
Ibid.
While Whitefield was careful to give all glory to God, he was not ashamed to speak glowingly of the instruments John and Charles Wesley. These men were spiritual fathers. They sowed abundant seed.
Whitefield was confident that this generous sowing would result in a bountiful harvest of souls.
They had the pleasure of seeing the work of the Lord prosper in their hands before they went to Georgia. Since their return, the small grain of mustard-see has sprung up apace. It has taken deep root. It is growing into a great tree. Ere long, I trust, it will fill the land, and numbers of souls will come from the East and from the West, from the North and from the South, and lodge under the branches of it.
Ibid.
Although Whitefield certainly had some theological differences with his friends, he would never lose his confidence that they were his true brothers in Christ. He remained steadfast in his thankfulness for them both and for their role in expanding the kingdom of God and of His Christ.
4. Reaching Out in Darkness
George recounts the serious temptations he faced as he grew in faith.
At my first setting out, in compassion to my weakness, I grew in favour both with God and man, and used to by much lifted up with sensible devotion, especially at the blessed Sacrament. But when religion began to take root in my heart, and I was fully convinced my soul must totally be renewed ere it could see God, I was visited with outward and inward trials.
Ibid., Section II.
These inward and outward trials were intense for young Whitefield. They continued to build.
a horrible fearfulness and dread permitted to overwhelm my soul. One morning in particular, rising from my bed, I felt an unusual impression and weight upon my breast, attended with inward darkness.
Ibid.
In the midst of this great heaviness and inward darkness, Whitefield’s actions are telling. He reached out for help. For guidance.
And he reached out for these things to his dear friend, Charles Wesley.
I applied to my friend, Mr. Charles Wesley. He advised me to keep upon my watch, and referred me to a chapter in Kempis.
Ibid.
When we are in our most desperate times, who we reach out to is telling. George reached out to Charles. This is a clear demonstration of the import Whitefield placed on this relationship.
5. Sought By His Honored Friend
The inward and outward trials continued for Whitefield. His behavior was becoming more and more altered. People were beginning to notice.
But not everyone was willing to do something about it. Thank God, for Charles Wesley!
Our evening meeting I neglected also, and went not to breakfast, according to appointment, with Mr. Charles Wesley the day following. This, with many other concurring circumstances, made my honoured friend, Mr. Charles Wesley, suspect something more than ordinary was the matter.
Ibid.
Although George was isolating himself in the moment, he looks back upon the intervention of his dear friend with thankfulness and gratitude. The friendship he shared with Charles was truly an honored relationship.
While Whitefield was in darkness and enduring an out of the ordinary trial, Charles Wesley came looking for him.
He came to my room, soon found out my case, apprised me of my danger if I would not take advice, and recommended me to his brother John, Fellow of Lincoln College, as more experienced in the spiritual life.
Ibid.
Charles cared. As a result, he sought his wandering friend. When he found Whitefield, he quickly and accurately sized-up the situation. The appropriate response was to warn Whitefield of the dangers of continuing in this course.
Charles also was willing to recommend further help from someone more experienced. Charles was a true friend. If he couldn’t help personally, he wanted to direct George to someone who could.
The influence of Charles in Whitefield’s life led to him heeding the warning. George submitted himself to John’s instructions. He began to climb out of his spiritual lethargy.
6. Dear and Honored
In Whitefield’s “Further Account” he continues recording his own perspective on God’s dealings with him. George can’t help but continue adding honorable modifiers upon his friends, John and Charles Wesley.
My dear and honoured friends the Reverend Messrs. John and Charles Wesley, being now for some time embarked for Georgia…”
George Whitefield, Journals, “A Further Account”
Not just dear friends. Not simply honored. But dear and honored. Whitefield intended to record his clear and abundantly positive feelings in his journals for everyone to read and understand.
George Whitefield clearly loved and highly esteemed both of the Wesley brothers. Most of all, Charles.
7. A Blessed Example
Whitefield knew the dangers of idleness. He explained his own practice with these words:
with the time I spent in following my studies, private retirement, and religious converse, sweetly filled up the whole of my day, and kept me from that unaccountable, but too common, complaint of having any time hang upon my hands.
Ibid.
Whitefield didn’t want to have any time hanging upon his hands. He sought to redeem the time, knowing that the days were evil. He sought to employ himself in admirable service for the Lord.
The distributing money and books amongst the poor prisoners, and employing such as could work, I found was of admirable service. For hereby they were kept from that worst of gaol diseases–idleness; and were not only convinced that we bore a good will towards them, but also led them, as it were, under an obligation to hear the instructions we gave them from time to time.
Ibid.
Whitefield found it a good practice to serve others. To encourage them, likewise, to redeem the time in profitable activity for the Lord. To avoid and protect themselves from idleness.
And where did Whitefield see this practice modeled?
This practice was first taken up by the Messrs. Wesley; and would to God all Ordinaries of prisons would copy after their good example!
Ibid.
Whitefield himself followed the good example of the Wesley brothers, John and Charles. He wished others would do the same.
8. Orphanages
Both John and Charles influenced Whitefield’s ministry in America. After Charles returned to London from his disappointing American ministry, he sought to get others to pick up the mantle in the Colonies.
(For more on this, don’t miss our post on Charles’s Thoughts on America.)
Whitefield relates the gist of a letter he received from Charles:
informing me that Mr. Charles Wesley was arrived at London. Soon after came a letter from Mr. Charles himself, wherein he informed me that he had come over to procure labourers.
Ibid.
While Whitefield was being stirred up by Charles’s comments, John was even more direct. He wrote to Whitefield in no uncertain terms: “Where the harvest is so great, and the labourers so few. What if thou art the man, Mr. Whitefield?”
George resolved to answer the call. Just as famous as his preaching ministry was Whitefield’s dedication to his orphanage in Bethesda, which is still operational today as an academy for boys.
This may never have happened without the influence of Charles. As Charles had been advocating for the evangelization of America after his return to London, he received correspondence from his friend.
Received a letter from Mr Whitefield, offering himself to go to Georgia.
-Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Wednesday, December 22, 1736.
Short. To the point. There isn’t much in the journal to fill out the context. But George Whitefield provides some insight in a letter he wrote from Georgia dated March 21, 1745.
Some have thought that the erecting such a building was only the produce of my own brain; but they are much mistaken; for it was first proposed to me by my dear friend, the Rev. Mr. Charles Wesley, who, with his excellency General Oglethorpe, had concerted a scheme for carrying on such a design before I had any thoughts of going abroad myself. … and believing such a provision for orphans would be some inducement with many to come over, I fell in with the design, when mentioned to me by my friend, and was resolved, in the strength of God, to prosecute it with all my might.
-George Whitefield, Historical Collections of Georgia, 329.
Whitefield explained that the idea for building an orphanage in Georgia was not his idea. It was presented to him by his friend, Charles Wesley, before he even considered going to America at all.
The seed was planted by Charles Wesley. This seed has produced much fruit.
It was planted by Charles Wesley and cultivated by George Whitefield to the glory of God.
9. Fellow Laborers
Some have attempted to down play the theological disagreement between the Calvinistic Whitefield and the anti-Calvinistic Wesley brothers.
For more on Charles’s anti-Calvinistic leaning, don’t miss this post. If you want to see why we say anti-Calvinist instead of Arminian, you may want to read our post Was Charles Wesley Arminian?
Although it would be a mistake to diminish the tenacity of this disagreement, it would likewise be a mistake to think this caused either party to deny their partnership in Christ.
While Whitefield was in America, he was thankful for the work of the Wesley’s in England. Upon his return, he testified of what he saw.
Here seems to be a great pouring out of the Spirit, and many who were awakened by my preaching a year ago, are now grown strong men in Christ, by the ministrations of my dear friends and fellow-labourers, John and Charles Wesley. Blessed be God, I rejoice in the coming of the Kingdom of His dear Son.
George Whitefield, Journals, “A Continuation of Mr. Whitefield’s Journal, ETC. London.”
Charles likewise had recognized the partnership their ministries shared by the grace of God.
Mrs Esther Brook called, and told me she had been awakened (as others who now believe) by George Whitefield’s ministry; … set at liberty under mine.
Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Saturday, September 22, 1739.
Their disagreements did not break their deep bond in Christ.
10. Instruments of Salvation
In Whitefield’s fourth journal, he records details about Mr. Delamotte and his family. Whitefield records that Charles Wesley was used by God in the salvation of some members of his family.
Behold, how God rewarded him [Mr. Delamotte] for leaving all. Whilst he was absent, God was pleased to make use of the ministry of Mr. Ingham and Mr. Charles Wesley in converting his mother, two sisters, and this young gentleman at Cambridge; who, I pray God, may stand as a barrier against the profaneness, debauchery, lukewarmness, and deism of that seat of learning, and prove both a Barnabas and Boanerges in the Church of England.
George Whitefield, Journals.
Whitefield was thankful for the blessing of Charles Wesley’s ministry. He had hope and faith that the fruit would continue to multiply.
11. Where Charles Had Preached
Charles Wesley is not often remembered as a preacher. But Whitefield knew that his friend Charles Wesley was an avid and fruitful preacher.
Whitefield records in his journal a time where he was going to new territory for himself. But he was merely following behind his friend.
after having spent some comfortable hours together, we went to Wimbush Green, where Mr. Charles Wesley had preached some time ago. I rode thither in a chaise, and preached from it to about four hundred people, with great freedom and power.
Ibid.
George Whitefield is famous for preaching in the open-air. In this entry he describes preaching from his chaise to a crowd of four hundred. But he wasn’t the first to preach in the open-air in this place. He was simply following the example of Charles Wesley.
Both men preached in the open-air. Whitefield is certainly more famous for it. Wesley was certainly encouraged to follow the example of Whitefield. It is good and right to see that Whitefield was also sometimes encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Charles.
12. A Fruitful Increase
As Whitefield was travelling around England after returning from America, he was pleased to see the fruits of the ministry of his friend, Charles Wesley.
Blessed be God for what has been done here since I left London, by my honoured friend and fellow-labourer, Mr. Charles Wesley. Surely, we can see the fruits of our labours. All love, all glory be to God, for giving so great an increase!
Ibid.
Whitefield gave glory to God. He was so thankful for the increase that had happened in his absence. He attributes this to the faithful ministry of Charles Wesley.
13. Influenced By Verse
Whitefield’s Journals contain several references to some poems and hymns of Charles Wesley’s. Whitefield includes them as instances of encouragement and truth.
Whitefield was also thankful for a modernization of an older poem by Herbert that Charles had provided. Whitefield said:
The divine Herbert, modernized by my dear brother, Mr. Charles Wesley, furnishes me with a sweet prayer on this occasion.
Ibid.
Whether it was his own work, or the modernization of other works, Charles was able to encourage his friend George Whitefield through his verses.
This ability to influence was able to both encourage and discourage.
When George and Charles were disputing about predestination, Charles published some hymns on the Universal Love of God. This prompted Whitefield to write to John Wesley:
Dear Brother Charles is more and more rash. He has lately printed some very bad hymns.”
In Tyson, Charles Wesley: A Reader, 295.
Because of the depth of their relationship, Charles was able to influence George with his hymns. Both for good and for ill.
Charles on Whitefield’s Journals
Most of the above quotes were published by Whitefield in his journals. It should be evidence that Whitefield was greatly encouraged by his dear and honored friend and fellow-laborer.
To be complete, it should be noted that Charles Wesley was likewise greatly encouraged by Whitefield’s Journals.
We were warmed by reading George Whitefield’s Journal.
Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Saturday, August 12, 1738.
In fact, the love that George Whitefield expressed toward Charles was sometimes bewildering to Wesley.
Dined at Friend Keen’s, a Quaker and a Christian, and read George Whitefield’s account of God’s dealings with him. The love and esteem he expresses for me, filled me with confusion, and brought back my fear, lest, after having preached to others, I should be myself a castaway.
Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Thursday, May 29, 1740.
Upon reading Whitefield’s love and esteem, Charles was worried that his pride would cause him to fall. He was abundantly blessed to read his friends words about him. So much so, that his fear of pride returned with it.
Charles was touched deeply by Whitefield’s praise. Knowing his own frailty and faults, he was even brought to confusion. Charles wanted to be sure that he took no glory or credit upon himself, lest he stumble over pride and make shipwreck of his faith.
Although their relationship was tested over time, it proved strong enough to endure. The debate between these friends over predestination was in full force by 1741. Yet, a decade later Charles was still thankful for their partnership in ministry.
The door has continued open ever since Mr Whitefield preached here, and quite removed the prejudices of our first opposers.
Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Tuesday, July 16, 1751.
Charles knew Whitefield was being used by God. He was thankful for it. Five years later, Charles was still thankful.
Returning to Leeds, I met my brother Whitefield, and was much refreshed by the account of his abundant labours. Waited on him to our room, and gladly sat under his word.
Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Saturday, October 9, 1756.
While they did have serious disputes, they had far more in common. Charles was delighted to hear the reports of Whitefield’s fruitful ministry. He was also glad to sit under his brother in Christ’s teaching.
He was even thankful for Whitefield’s influence on Wesley’s Societies.
Here I rejoiced to hear of the great good Mr Whitefield had done in our Societies. He preached as universally as my brother. He warned them everywhere against apostasy, and strongly insisted on the necessity of holiness after justification … In a word: he did his utmost to strengthen our hands, and deserves the thanks of all the churches for his abundant labour of love.
Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Monday, October 25, 1756, emphasis original.
George Whitefield and Charles Wesley had an enduring and deep friendship. They gave thanks to God for each other. Both for their personal encouragement to one another, and for their fruitful ministry in the gospel.
Related Questions
Did George Whitefield believe in predestination? George Whitefield was the leader of the Calvinistic Methodists. One of their main doctrines was the belief in predestination and the associated doctrine of reprobation.
What is George Whitefield known for? George Whitefield is most famous for his traveling preaching ministry during the First Great Awakening, much of which was performed in the open-air. He has been referred to as The Grand Itinerant.
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