26, 2025
General Superintendent
Max Edwards
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 nkjv
Charles Wesley was a champion of faith in 18th-century England. He wrote over 3000 hymns, among them: “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” as well as the powerful testimonial, “And Can It Be?”
Charles and his brother John (along with George Whitfield) were each significant contributors to the Great Awakening in England that resulted in tens of thousands of converts to Christ. Their names are indeed familiar, but maybe less so are their individual stories of personal faith. God was at work bringing these men to Himself, partially through the influence of some German believers. One was Martin Luther’s written works from two centuries earlier, and another was the witness of a contemporary friend, Peter Böhler.
Böhler was in almost daily contact with Charles, learning the English language from him. He desired to emigrate to America, and Charles was assisting him in his preparations. But God had greater things in store, as Peter relentlessly shared his belief in being “born again” by faith, while Charles, an Anglican believer, knew nothing of such a personal faith. Böhler asked Charles, “Do you hope to be saved?” Charles replied, “I do.” Böhler continued, “For what reason do you hope it?” “Because I have used my best endeavors to serve God,” replied Charles, having known nothing but a works-based religion. Böhler could only shake his head at Charles’ stiff and unbending self-assurance. Charles put his thoughts to paper, writing in his journal, “What? Are not my endeavors sufficient grounds of hope? Would [God] rob me of my endeavors? I have nothing else to trust to.” Böhler would not stop, however, declaring “That philosophy of yours must be purged away!”
Charles longed for peace and a deep trust in God. Another influence in his life was a commercial painter named Mr. Holland, who led Charles to Luther’s commentary on Galatians, where he read, “What, have we then nothing to do? No! nothing! But only to accept of him who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” Charles noted, “There came such a power over me as I cannot well describe; my great burden fell off in an instant; my heart was so filled with peace and love that I burst into tears.”
Charles had come to a personal salvation by faith! He wrote these words on the morning of May 21st, 1728: “I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in the hope of loving Christ.“
Two days later, he wrote, “I began a hymn upon my conversion.” We are not certain to which hymn he refers, but biographer Arnold Dallimore is strongly convinced that it was “And Can It Be?” The fourth stanza strongly expresses his newly discovered freedom, concluding with this testimony: “ … I woke – the dungeon flamed with light. My chains fell off; my heart was free; I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, should’st die for me?”