3 Speak gently to the erring ones! We yet may lead them back, With holy words and tones of love, From misery’s thorny track.
4 Forget not, brother, thou hast sinned, And sinful yet may be; Deal gently with the erring heart, As God hath dealt with thee.
491 C. M. Before and behind the vail.
Happy the souls to Jesus joined, And made in spirit one: Walking in all his ways, they find Their heaven on earth begun.
2 The church triumphant in thy love, Their mighty joys we know; They sing the Lamb in hymns above, And we in hymns below.
3 Thee in thy glorious realm they praise, And bow before thy throne; We in the kingdom of thy grace; The kingdoms are but one.
4 The holy to the holiest leads; To heaven our spirits rise; And he that in thy statutes treads, Shall meet thee in the skies.
492 C. M. Spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Eph. 1:3.
O happy they who know the Lord, With whom he deigns to dwell! He feeds and cheers them by his word, His arm supports them well.
2 To them, in each distressing hour, His throne of grace is near; And when they plead his love and power, He stands engaged to hear.
3 His presence sweetens all our cares, And makes our burdens light; A word from him dispels our fears, And gilds the gloom of night.
4 Lord, we expect to suffer here, Nor would we dare repine; But give us still to find thee near, And own us still for thine.
5 Let us enjoy and highly prize These tokens of thy love, Till thou shalt bid our spirits rise To worship thee above.
493 C. M. The bond of perfectness. Col. 3:14.
How sweet, how heavenly is the sight, When those that love the Lord, In one another’s peace delight, And so fulfill the word.
2 When each can feel his brother’s sigh, And with him bear a part; When sorrow flows from eye to eye, And joy from heart to heart:
3 When free from envy, scorn, and pride, Our wishes all above, Each can his brother’s failing hide, And show a brother’s love:
4 When love in one delightful stream Through every bosom flows, When union sweet and dear esteem In every action glows.
5 Love is the golden chain that binds, The happy souls above, And he’s an heir of heaven that finds His bosom glow with love.
494 C. M. The whole family in heaven and earth. Eph 3:15.
Come, let us join our friends above, Who have obtained the prize, And on the eagle wings of love, To joy celestial rise.
2 Let saints below in concert sing With those to glory gone; For all the servants of our King, In heaven and earth are one:
3 One family—we dwell in him; One church—above, beneath; Though now divided by the stream— The narrow stream of death.
4 One army of the living God, To his command we bow; Part of the host have crossed the flood, And part are crossing now.
5 Even now to their eternal home Some happy spirits fly; And we are to the margin come, Expecting soon to die!
6 Dear Saviour! be our constant guide; Then, when the word is given, Bid Jordan’s narrow stream divide, And land us safe in heaven.
495 S. M. Love as brethren. 1 Pet. 3:8.
Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.
2 Before our Father’s throne We pour our ardent prayers; Our fears, our hopes, our aims, are one, Our comforts and our cares.
3 We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows The sympathizing tear.
4 Though often called to part, Amid these scenes of pain; Yet, we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again.
5 This glorious hope revives Our courage by the way; While each in expectation lives, And longs to see the day.
6 From sorrow, toil, and pain, And sin, we shall be free; And perfect love and friendship reign Through all eternity.
496 S. M. Stand fast in the Lord. Phil. 4:1.
All you that have confessed That Jesus is the Lord, And to his people joined yourselves, According to his word:
2 In Zion you must dwell, Her altar ne’er forsake; Must come to all her solemn feasts, Of all her joys partake.
3 She must employ your thoughts, And your unceasing care; Her welfare be your constant wish, And her increase your prayer.
4 With humbleness of mind, Among her sons rejoice; A meek and quiet spirit is With God of highest price.
5 Never offend, nor grieve Your brethren by the way; But shun the dark abodes of strife, Like children of the day.
6 In all your Saviour’s ways, With willing footsteps move; Be faithful unto death, and then You’ll reign with him above.
497 S. M. Let there be no divisions among you. 1 Cor. 1:10.