Charles Wesley in America
Georgia, Charleston, Boston
- History & Biography
- Publisher: Pickwick Publications (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2020
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Publisher's Description
This is the first comprehensive treatment of Charles Wesley's sojourn in the American colonies from March to October 1736. He went to the Colony of Georgia as a missionary of the Church of England, as Colonel Oglethorpe's personal aid, and secretary of Indian Affairs. His stay in Georgia was filled with discord and conflict. This volume provides the first explanation of why Wesley remained silent in a dispute with two women who had accused him and Oglethorpe of moral impropriety. One of Wesley's shorthand passages deciphered here discloses the reason he refused to be publicly exonerated. The volume also provides a view of a newly ordained Anglican priest struggling with the responsibilities of his office. Yet one discovers why this very young priest was treated with such open arms by the Anglican clergy of Boston, even being invited to preach in one of the important New England Anglican churches immediately upon arrival. In some of Wesley's own poetry one encounters his strong negative attitudes toward the Revolutionary War, the colonies' desire to break its ties with England, and toward the British military leadership that lost the war. In Charles's stay in America, the seeds were sown for a lifetime of opposition to slavery. A rare letter exchange with two former slaves whom he befriended in Bristol provides fascinating insight into their eagerness to learn to read and write and about the Christian faith.
Endorsements (4)
Foreword
“For years, S T Kimbrough has sought to make Charles Wesley known, through analysis of his theology, diverse publications, especially of little-known portions of Wesley's vast poetic corpus. Here he digs deeply into the American narrative, not stopping at Charles's manuscript journal--but filling in details of the narrative with letters and historical details about the colonial context, much from primary source materials. . . . The present volume is yet one more addition to Kimbrough's invaluable contributions to the field of Charles Wesley studies.”
“S T Kimbrough continues to gift us with the fruit of a lifetime of study of Charles Wesley. This volume, focused on Wesley's time in and reflections on North America, provides much detail on a topic touched on only in passing in most Wesley biographies. Recommended!”
“S T Kimbrough, the founder of the Charles Wesley Society, has published more works than anyone else in the world on and by Charles Wesley. His expertise shines throughout this volume in a way that matches the importance of his subject for a completer understanding of the history of Methodism in America.”
“S T Kimbrough's latest work is certain to enlighten and enliven those who know Charles Wesley only as the sometimes contrary musical adjunct to his brother John. Seeing him in the American setting, and how it formed him as much as his brother, will undoubtedly spur new approaches to understanding both Charles's music and his contribution to the Methodist movement.”
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