Charles Wesley, (born December 18, 1707, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England—died March 29, 1788, London).

An English clergyman, poet, and hymn writer who, with his elder brother John, started the Methodist movement in the Church of England. Wesley was a prolific hymn-writer who wrote over 6,500 hymns during his lifetime. We will be sharing many of his works.

Our next song in this series is “A charge to keep I have” by C. Wesley. The theme of this song is personal responsibility, based on Leviticus 8:35. It has been in and out of hymnals since its first publication 1762.

A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill:
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master’s will!

Arm me with jealous care,
As in Thy sight to live;
And O Thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give!

Help me to watch and pray,
And on Thyself rely,
Assured if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.