author
Charles Wesley Naylor
1874–1950
Raised by his grandparents in Ohio and West Virginia, this hymn writer and Church of God minister turned long years of suffering into books, articles, and songs full of courage and praise. His work is remembered for its steady, hopeful voice and its focus on practical Christian living.
1 Audiobook
Heart Talks
by Charles Wesley Naylor
About the author
Born on January 8, 1874, in Athens County, Ohio, Charles Wesley Naylor was converted in the Methodist Church as a young man and later joined the Church of God movement. He worked with the Gospel Trumpet publishing work, traveled in evangelistic ministry, and was ordained in Springfield, Ohio, in 1899.
Naylor’s life changed dramatically after serious accidents around 1908 and 1909 left him an invalid for the rest of his life. Even so, he continued to write with unusual warmth and resilience. He became known as a hymn writer, religious editor, and devotional author whose words often drew on hardship without losing their sense of joy.
He wrote books including Heart Talks and The Secret of the Singing Heart, along with many articles and hymns that continued to circulate widely in holiness and Church of God circles. He died on February 21, 1950, in Anderson, Indiana, leaving behind a body of work shaped by endurance, faith, and encouragement.