Song of the Herald Angels Penned

American Minute from William J. Federer

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" was a carol written by Charles Wesley, born DECEMBER 18, 1707, at Epworth, England.

The 18th child of Rev. Samuel and Susanna Wesley, he excelled in school and came to the attention of Garret Wesley, or Wellesley, a Member of Parliament with a large fortune in Daugan, Ireland. Having no child, he offering to adopt Charles as his heir, but Charles declined.

After graduating from Oxford, Charles sailed to the colony of Georgia with his brother, John, who was the colony's Anglican minister. Charles was secretary to the colony's founder, General James Oglethorpe.

Their desire to minister to Indians never materialized so they returned to England where their preaching started the Great Awakening Revival.

John founded the Methodist Church and Charles wrote over 6,000 hymns.

In 1753, around the time 21-year-old George Washington was fighting in the French and Indian War, Charles Wesley penned the famous words: "Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Glory to the new-born King, Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem."

William J. Federer is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and president of Amerisearch, Inc, which is dedicated to researching our American heritage. The American Minute radio feature looks back at events in American history on the dates they occurred, is broadcast daily across the country and read by thousand on the internet.