A Heart Set Free: The Life of Charles Wesley

by Arnold A. Dallimore

Biography. First printing stated. Brown cloth covers rubbed, spine ends lightly bumped. Dust jacket rubbed, moderate edge wear. Interior clean and tight,pages toned, top edge dusty.

Genres: Biography, History, Christian

272 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1988

About the author

Arnold A. Dallimore (1911-1998) was born in Canada of British parents. He was pastor of the Baptist Church at Cottam, Ontario, for almost twenty-four years. During his studies at Central Baptist Seminary, Toronto, he was awakened to a life-long interest in the great evangelist George Whitefield, whose biography he was to write (2 volumes, published by the Trust). He also wrote biographies of Edward Irving, the forerunner of the charismatic movement, Susannah Wesley and C. H. Spurgeon, whose preaching at the Metropolitan Tabernacle was frequently attended by his maternal grandfather and his mother (as a small child).

Reviews

[Matthew Prydden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a relatively brief whizz through Charles Wesley's life. It was still interesting and provided plenty of motivation for ministry. Charles Wesley would probably be more deserving of similar treatment as Dallimore was able to give George Whitefield, which remains my favourite biography of all time. Dallimore does, unsurprisingly, consider much of Charles Wesley's disputes through a Calvinistic lens, but remains very sympathetic to Wesley as a whole, and is very appreciative of Wesley's eventual softening toward some of his opponents from earlier life, such as Whitefield, the Countess of Huntingdon, and the Moravians.

[Uncle Alfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet glimpse into a different day in age when words meant something and self-discipline was taught as an admirable trait. Though I can not agree with all of Charles Wesley's views, the sincerity he lived by was winsome and the struggles he endured for the sake of Jesus were heroic. The author writes with maturity and fairness to reveal the flawed man in awe of the flawless Christ.

[Gareth Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable biography of the great preacher and hymn writer Charles Wesley. Like all of us, he wasn’t perfect and his bad points are covered well, but overwhelmingly challenged by the majority of his life.

[Rod Innis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good biography of a man who lived under the shadow of his famous brother but
was a wonderful godly man best remembered for his great hymns.

[Brian Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another of Dallimore's well-written biographies. Wesley is best known as a prolific hymn writer. Dallimore's biography certainly enhances the reader's appreciation for Wesley's poetical gift. But Dallimore also demonstrates his role in the formation of Methodism and his relations with both his brother John and the evangelist George Whitefield. Dallimore's writings are devotional, but they are not uncritical. Wesley's weaknesses (interference with his brother's marriage and overly-close attachment to the Anglican Church, to name but two) are also discussed in such a way as to benefit Christians who seek not only inspiration but cautionary lessons from the lives of Christians who have preceded them.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A readable, devotional biography that makes much good use of Charle's letters and hymns. I did not know much about the origins of Methodism, but this is also a good introduction to that.