Last Sunday we sang a newer hymn tune to Charles Wesley’s And Can It Be? Below is a brief overview of his life, a link to the new tune, and the full text of And Can it Be?.
Wesley, Charles, the great hymn writer of the Wesley family, perhaps the great hymn writer of all ages, no less than 6500 hymns being ascribed to him. He was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley and was born at Epworth Rectory December 18, 1707, receiving his education at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford. He became one of the first band of Oxford Methodists, and went in 1735 with his brother John to Georgia as Secretary to Gen. Oglethorpe. His stay there was very short; he returned to England 1736 and shortly afterward came under the influence of Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians. His headquarters were at Bristol till 1771 when he moved to London devoting there much time to the spiritual care of the prisoners in Newgate. He died in 1788.
Hewitt, Theodore B. Paul Gerhardt as a Hymn Writer and His Influence on English Hymnody. [St. Louis]: Concordia Pub. House, 1976. Print.
HYMN CD: Love Divine – The Hymns of Charles Wesley | iTunes | Amazon
And Can It Be That I Should Gain
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain-
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
‘Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.
He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace-
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray-
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Song List from 08.28.11
Sunday, August 28th, 2011
All Creatures of Our God and King | Authors: Brent Milligan, David Crowder, St. Francis of Assisi, William Henry Draper | Copyright: 2002 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Moon & Musky Music Amazon Link
Here I Am to Worship | Tim Hughes | Copyright: 2000 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | Amazon Link
And Can It Be 2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Here’s To JO (Admin. by Bug Music, Inc.) West Lodge Music (Admin. by Bug Music, Inc.) | Amazon Link
Nothing But the Blood | Copyright 2004 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | Thankyou Music | Amazon Link
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