Charles Wesley is well-known as a hymn writer. Less well-known as a preacher of the gospel. Many people are content to know only the work and ministry of Charles. But to know him as a man we should also understand his home life.
Was Charles Wesley married? Charles Wesley was married to Sarah “Sally” Gwynne (1726-1822) on Saturday, April 8, 1749. John Wesley officiated the ceremony. They were married nearly forty years until the death of Charles on March 29, 1788. Charles and Sarah had eight children together, only three of whom survived to maturity.
The pursuit and eventual marriage by Charles understandably influenced his life and ministry in many ways.
“MY SALLY”
Charles Wesley wrote about his wedding day in his journal. He recorded the date in all capital letters. He clearly wanted to emphasize this entry. He had likewise emphasized the date for the entry on his evangelical conversion.
Charles’s wedding day was one of the most important days of his life.
Not a cloud was to be seen from morning till night. I rose at four; spent three hours and a half in prayer, or singing, with my brother, with Sally, with Becky. At eight I led MY SALLY to church.
-Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Saturday, April 8, 1749, emphasis in original.
It was a beautiful day. From beginning to end.
Charles records the mood of the celebration. Both from his perspective and from the perspective of one who didn’t share their joy.
Prayer and thanksgiving was our whole employment. We were cheerful without mirth, serious without sadness. A stranger, that intermedleth not with our joy, said, “It looked more like a funeral than a wedding.” My brother [John] seemed the happiest person among us.
-Charles Wesley, ibid.
Charles had begun to seriously consider marrying Sarah Gwynne the previous year. Charles had mentioned his growing intention to seek her hand to brother John while they were ministering together in Ireland.
I had communicated my embryo intentions to my brother while in Ireland, which he neither opposed, nor much encouraged. It was a distant first thought, not likely ever to come to a proposal; as I had not given the least hint, either to Miss Gwynne or the family.
-Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Tuesday, April 19, 1748.
John and Charles had recently been in Ireland together from March 8 – 20, 1748. Although Charles wasn’t sure it would come to a proposal then, when he arrived back in England his heart overflowed from his lips.
At night my dearest Sally, like my guardian angel attended me. In the loving openness of my heart, without premeditation I asked her “if she could trust herself with me for life,” and with a noble simplicity she readily answered me “she could.”
-Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Sunday, April 3, 1748.
Charles regretted his openness almost immediately. The following day Charles records his feelings again in his journal.
Frightened at what I had said last night, I condemned my own rashness and almost wished I had never disclosed my feelings.
-Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Monday, April 4, 1748.
But Charles had disclosed his feelings and intentions. So had Sally.
Over the course of the next year, Charles would take the necessary steps to gain the appropriate approvals so that he could take Sally, MY SALLY, as his bride in holy matrimony.
John Wesley’s Approval
It may seem strange to think that Charles needed to seek John’s approval. It’s not typical or standard practice for the brother of the groom to sign off before the wedding day.
But John and Charles had made an agreement together that neither of them would marry without the approval of the other.
My brother and I having promised each other (as soon as he came from Georgia) that we would neither of us marry, or take any step towards it, without the other’s knowledge and consent, today I fairly and fully communicated every thought of my heart. He had proposed three persons to me: Sarah Perrin, M. W., and Sarah Gwynne; and entirely approved my choice of the last. We consulted together about every particular, and were of one heart and mind in all things.
-Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Friday, November 11, 1748, bold added.
They knew the impact that marriage would have on their ministry. On the Methodists in general. So, they entered upon a serious agreement.
This agreement explains why Charles would tell brother John of his possible intentions to pursue marriage before making his intentions known to any of the more typical parties; like the bride and family of the bride.
Although many conversations would have taken place between the one in Ireland and Charles’s wedding day, John’s approval is clear.
John responded to the initial idea with neither opposition nor encouragement. The end of the process was John officiating the ceremony and, from Charles’s perspective, seeming the happiest person among them.
When John decided to get married, he did not reciprocate. Charles was against John’s idea to get married. Both in principle and in particular to Mary Vazeille. John married her anyway.
The Necessary Financials
Sarah Gwynne was from a wealthy family. When the proposal was accepted, there were some financial details to work out.
This initially caused a stumbling block. “Wealthy” and “minister” are not terms usually used together! But Sarah’s family needed certain assurances that Charles would be able to afford a lifestyle appropriate for his bride-to-be.
This led to another conversation between Charles and John. Charles requested the necessary support from the church. John was clear.
Talked with my brother about a provision, in case I married, and he said “the church could not afford it.” Then, I thought, the church did not deserve a gospel minister.
-Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Wednesday, November 16, 1748.
Charles was committed to securing the necessary funds. He was committed to continuing his ministry. And he was committed to doing so as a married man.
Charles obtained an agreement from some of his friends to commit to helping support him financially for his maintenance as a married minister of the gospel. They agreed to set the example for others.
Charles then secured an agreement with Sarah’s mother and father. The agreed upon obligation was £100 per year.
A letter from Vincent Perronet addressed to Mrs Gwynne (Sally’s mother), dated January 14, 1749, explained that the necessary financial obligation would be able to be met by Charles. The value of Charles’s writings, and their ability to continue to be sold, would provide the required £100 per year.
It was settled.
The proposal of marriage could officially be agreed upon. On January 23, 1749, Charles received letters consenting to the proposals of marriage and support.
Charles and Sarah were married less than three months later.
George Whitefield’s Joy
After receiving full approvals, Charles made his intentions known to his friend and fellow-worker George Whitefield.
Met George Whitefield, and made him quite happy by acquainting him with my design.
-Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Friday, March 3, 1749.
Ten years prior, George Whitefield had encouraged his friend Charles to marry.
George Whitefield advised me (I thank him for his love) to follow Mr Stonehouse’s example.
-Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Sunday, June 3, 1739.
Mr Stonehouse had just gotten married. Charles was against their marriage at first, although he came around shortly afterward. Regardless of Charles’s thoughts on the particular marriage, Whitefield thought Charles would do well to marry himself.
Ten years later, Whitefield was happy to hear of Charles’s intention to marry.
Prayers, Not Advice
Three days after telling Whitefield, Charles told one of the Methodist bands.
Mentioned it to the select band, desiring their prayers, not their advice.
-Charles Wesley, MS Journal entry Monday, March 6, 1749, bold added.
Charles was informing them for their prayers, not to receive their advice. This terse entry indicates he received plenty of the latter.
It is unclear what the content of their advice may have been. However, Charles had secured all of the necessary approvals already. He believed it was God’s will for him. He wasn’t looking for any more advice.
Related Questions
Was John Wesley married? John Wesley was married to Mary Vazeille (1710-1781) in 1751. This was against brother Charles’s advice. Mary left John in 1758. They were reconciled but split again for good in 1771.
How did Charles Wesley die? Charles Wesley died naturally on March 29, 1788, at the age of 80. He was surrounded by his family. Charles’s physician stated that Charles’s weakness and poor health was likely the result of his being overly studious and abstaining from food while at Oxford.
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