And Are We Yet Alive?

A Methodist favourite hymn – sung at every synod and annual conference, after John Wesley started using the song for that purpose in the 1780s. Why did Charles, his brother, write this song? And why did John leave out a few verses in later publications? Here’s the story.

Sources:
- https://hymnary.org/text/and_are_we_yet_alive
- https://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_hymns-and-sacred-poems-_wesley-charles_1749_2?q=%5C%27Hymns+and+Sacred+Poems%5C%27

LYRICS

1 And are we yet alive,
And see each other's face?
Glory and praise to Jesus give
For His redeeming grace.

2 Preserv'd by pow'r divine,
To feel salvation here;
Again in Jesus' name we join,
And in his sight appear.

3 What troubles have we seen,
What conflicts have we past;
Fightings without and fears within,
Since we assembled last.

4 But out of all, the Lord
Hath brought us by his love;
And still he does his help afford,
And hides our life above.

5 Then let us make our boast,
Of his redeeming pow'r;
Which saves us to the uttermost,
Till we can sin no more.

6 Let us take up the cross,
Till we the crown obtain;
And gladly reckon all things lost,
So we may Jesus gain.

7 Jesus, to Thee we bow,
And for thy Coming wait:
Give us for Good some Token Now
In our imperfect State;

8 Apply the Hallowing Word,
Tell Each who looks for Thee,
Thou shalt be perfect as thy Lord,
Thou shalt be all like me!