On 24 May 1738 John Wesley attended a meeting in Aldersgate Street, London and his “heart was strangely warmed”. To celebrate this event Waitakere Parish Superintendent Rev Augusten Subhan organised a weekend of activities.

The Waitakere Wesley weekend included a Saturday workshop, led by Rev Norman Brookes and Rev Terry Wall, and a special Sunday service led by Rev Terry.

Presbyters and lay people from throughout the Auckland District attended the workshop and examined the life and work of the Wesley brothers.  Rev Terry led the sessions on John Wesley, summarising the major influences and events in his life: the parsonage fire, his intellectual parents, a frequently absent father and a devout mother; his education at home, at school and at Oxford University; the Holy Club, his time in America, George Whitfield encouraging him to preach outdoors and his organisational abilities which established class meetings and lay preachers (including a few women). 

Methodism in the 18th century depended upon travelling preachers. Chapels were built but it remained a movement within the Church of England.  It wasn’t until the 19th century that the Methodist Church became a separate entity although the split became inevitable when John ordained lay preachers to work in America so that they could administer the sacraments there.  As a young man John could be hard to get along with – even “stroppy”!  But in his later years he was widely respected and people would line the streets to see one of the most popular and well-loved men in England.

Rev Norman led us through John’s younger brother’s life.  Charles also excelled in his studies, becoming head boy at Westminster Abbey school and graduating at Oxford.  With some friends, he set up the Holy Club and their disciplined approach to their spiritual lives earned them the derisive nickname “Methodists”.  Charles went to Georgia, America with John but, physically exhausted and in spiritual despair, was the first to return to England.  On 21 May 1738 Charles, still unwell, attended a meeting in Aldersgate Street and was so affected by it that, on his recommendation, John visited the same meeting place three days later. 

Charles’ hymn writing began at this time perhaps with “Where shall my wandering soul begin?”  A year later he preached to 500 people in a field and continued as an itinerant preacher until, at the age of 44, he made a happy marriage to Sarah (22).  Only three of their eight children survived to adulthood.  His son Samuel and grandson, Samuel Sebastian, continued the musical tradition.

For the final session of the workshop, four musicians from across the district combined to lead the gathering in the singing of several of Charles Wesley’s hymns and some written by Methodists in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.  Rev Norman made the point that, whereas few people in the church - with the exception of presbyters, presumably - can quote from John Wesley’s sermons, most can recall lines from Charles’ hymns.  He argued that it is Charles that has left the most significant legacy for the people called Methodists.