Kindred in Christ, for his dear sake

A hearty welcome here receive;

May we together now partake

The joys which only he can give.

2 May he, by whose kind care we meet,

Send his good spirit from above;

Make our communications sweet,

And cause our hearts to burn with love.

3 Forgotten be each worldly theme,

When Christians meet together thus;

We only wish to speak of him

Who lived, and died, and reigns for us.

4 We’ll talk of all he did, and said,

And suffered for us here below;

The path he marked for us to tread,

And what he’s doing for us now.

5 Thus—as the moments pass away—

We’ll love, and wonder, and adore;

And hasten on the glorious day

When we shall meet to part no more.

Come in, thou blessÉd of our God,

In Jesus’ name we bid thee come;

No more thy feet shall roam abroad,

Henceforth a brother—welcome home.

How blest the sacred tie that binds,

In sweet communion, kindred minds!

How swift the heavenly course they run,

Whose hearts, whose faith, whose hopes are one!

2 To each the soul of each how dear!

What tender love, what holy fear!

How doth the generous flame within

Refine from earth, and cleanse from sin!

3 Their streaming eyes together flow

For human guilt and mortal woe;

Their ardent prayers together rise

Like mingling flames in sacrifice.

4 Nor shall the glowing flame expire,

When dimly burns frail nature’s fire;

Then shall they meet in realms above,

A heaven of joy, a heaven of love.

Had I the tongues of Greeks and Jews,

And nobler speech than angels use,

If love be absent, I am found,

Like tinkling brass, an empty sound.

Come, you that love the Lord indeed,

Who are from sin and bondage freed,

Submit to all the ways of God,

And walk the narrow, happy road.

CHORUS.

We’re all united heart and hand,

Joined in one band completely;

We’re marching through Immanuel’s land,

Where waters flow most sweetly.

2 Great tribulation you shall meet,

But soon shall walk the golden street;

Though hell may rage and vent its spite,

Yet Christ will save his heart’s delight.

3 That happy day will soon appear

When Michael’s trumpet you shall hear

Sound through the earth—yea, down to hell,

And call the nations, great and small.

4 Behold the righteous marching home,

And all the angels bid them come,

While Christ the Judge these words proclaims,

“Here come my saints—I own their names!”

Jesus, thou Shepherd of the sheep,

Thy little flock in safety keep;

These lambs within thine arms now take,

Nor let them e’er thy fold forsake.

2 Secure them from the scorching beam,

And lead them to the living stream;

In verdant pastures let them lie,

And watch them with a shepherd’s eye!

3 O, teach them to discern thy voice,

And in its sacred sound rejoice!

From strangers may they ever flee,

And know no other guide but thee.

4 Lord, bring thy sheep that wander yet,

And let their number be complete;

Then let the flock from earth remove,

And reach the heavenly fold above.

Lord, bless thy saints assembled here,

In solemn covenant now to join;

Unite them in thy holy fear,

And in thy love their hearts combine.

Still one in life and one in death,

One in our hope of rest above;

One in our joy, our trust, our faith,

One in each other’s faithful love,

2 Yet must we part, and, parting, weep;

What else has earth for us in store?

Our farewell pangs, how sharp and deep!

But soon we’ll meet to part no more.

My Christian friends in bonds of love,

Whose hearts the sweetest union prove;

Your friendship’s like the strongest band,

Yet we must take the parting hand.

2 Your presence sweet, our union dear,

What joys we feel together here!

And when I see that we must part,

You draw like chords around my heart.

3 How sweet the hours have passed away,

Since we have met to sing and pray;

How loath are we to leave the place

Where Jesus shows his smiling face!

4 O could I stay with friends so kind,

How would it cheer my fainting mind!

But pilgrims in a foreign land,

We oft must take the parting hand.

Go on, you pilgrims, while below,

In the sure path of peace,

Determined nothing else to know

But Jesus and his grace.

2 Observe your leader, follow him;

He through this world has been

Often reviled; but like a lamb

Did ne’er revile again.

3 O! take the pattern he has given,

And love your enemies;

And learn the only way to heaven

Through self-denial lies.

4 Remember, you must watch and pray

While journeying on the road,

Lest you should fall out by the way,

And wound the cause of God.

5 Go on rejoicing night and day;

Your crown is yet before,

Defy the trials of the way,

The storm will soon be o’er.

Planted in Christ, the living vine,

This day, with one accord,

Ourselves, with humble faith and joy,

We yield to thee, O Lord.

2 Joined in one body may we be;

One inward life partake;

One be our heart; one heavenly hope

In every bosom wake.

3 In prayer, in effort, tears, and toils,

One wisdom be our guide;

Taught by one Spirit from above,

In thee may we abide.

4 Around this feeble, trusting band,

Thy sheltering pinions spread,

Nor let the storms of trial beat

Too fiercely on our head.

5 Then, when, among the saints in light,

Our joyful spirits shine,

Shall anthems of immortal praise,

O Lamb of God, be thine.

Blessed be the dear uniting love,

That will not let us part;

Our bodies may far off remove—

We still are one in heart.

2 Joined in one Spirit to our Head,

Where he appoints, we go;

And still in Jesus’ footsteps tread,

And show his praise below.

Ye men and angels, witness now—

Before the Lord we speak,

To him we make our solemn vow—

A vow we dare not break:

2 That, long as life itself shall last,

Ourselves to Christ we yield;

Nor from his cause will we depart,

Or ever quit the field.

3 We trust not in our native strength,

But on his grace rely;

May he, with our returning wants,

All needful aid supply.

4 O, guide our doubtful feet aright,

And keep us in thy ways;

And, while we turn our vows to prayers,

Turn thou our prayers to praise.

Think gently of the erring one!

O, let us not forget,

However darkly stained by sin,

He is our brother yet.

2 Heir of the same inheritance,

Child of the self-same God,

He hath but stumbled in the path

We have in weakness trod.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Come, let us join our friends above,

Who have obtained the prize,

And on the eagle wings of love,

To joy celestial rise.

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.

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.

Let party names no more

The Christian world o’erspread,

Gentile and Jew, and bond and free,

Are one in Christ, their Head.

2 Among the saints on earth

Let mutual love be found;

Heirs of the same inheritance,

With mutual blessings crowned.

3 Thus will the church below

Resemble that above,

Where streams of pleasure ever flow,

And every heart is love.

Children of the heavenly King,

As ye journey, sweetly sing;

Sing your Saviour’s worthy praise,

Glorious in his works and ways.

2 Ye are traveling home to God,

In the way the fathers trod:

They are happy now—and ye

Soon there happiness shall see.

3 Shout, ye little flock, and blest;

You on Jesus’ throne shall rest:

There your seat is now prepared—

There your kingdom and reward.

4 Fear not, brethren, joyful stand

On the borders of your land;

Jesus Christ, your Father’s Son,

Bids you undismayed go on.

Jesus, Lord, we look to thee;

Let us in thy name agree;

Show thyself the Prince of Peace;

Bid our jars for ever cease.

2 By thy reconciling love,

Every stumbling-block remove:

Each to each unite, endear;

Come, and spread thy banner here.

3 Make us of one heart and mind—

Courteous, pitiful and kind;

Lowly, meek, in thought and word—

Altogether like our Lord.

4 Let us for each other care;

Each the other’s burden bear;

To thy Church the pattern give;

Show how true believers live.

5 Free from anger and from pride,

Let us thus in God abide;

All the depths of love express—

All the hights of holiness.

6 Let us then with joy remove

To the family above;

On the wings of angels fly;

Show how true believers die.

Say, whence does this union arise,

Where hatred is conquered by love?

It fastens our souls with such ties,

That distance nor time can remove.

Come, dear friends, we all are brethren,

Bound for Canaan’s happy land;

Come, unite and walk together,

Christ, our Leader, gives command.

Cease to boast of party merit,

Wound the cause of God no more,

Be united by his spirit;

Zion’s peace again restore.

2 Now our hand, our heart and spirit,

Here in fellowship we give;

Let us love and peace inherit,

Show the world how Christians live.

When shall we all meet again?

When shall we all meet again?

Oft shall glowing hope expire,

Oft shall wearied love retire,

Oft shall death and sorrow reign,

Ere we all shall meet again.

2 Though in distant lands we sigh,

Parched beneath a hostile sky;

Though the deep between us rolls—

Friendship shall unite our souls:

And in fancy’s wide domain,

Oft shall we all meet again.

3 When the dreams of life are fled,

And its wasted lamp is dead:

When in cold oblivion’s shade,

Beauty, wealth, and fame are laid;

Where immortal spirits reign,

There may we all meet again.

We shall meet no more to part;

Cease thy sorrows, mourning heart!

Weary days will soon depart—

Then we may rest for ever!

When the work of life is done,

When the victor’s crown is won,

Then, immortal life begun,

We no more shall sever.

We shall meet, no more to part;

Cease thy sorrows, mourning heart!

Weary days will soon depart—

Then we may rest for ever!

When shall we meet again?

Meet ne’er to sever?

When will Peace wreathe her chain

Round us for ever?

Our hearts will ne’er repose

Safe from each blast that blows

In this dark vail of woes,

Never—no, never!

2 When shall love freely flow,

Pure as life’s river?

When shall sweet friendship glow,

Changeless for ever?

Where joys celestial thrill,

Where bliss each heart shall fill,

And fears of parting chill,

Never—no, never!

3 Up to that world of light

Take us, dear Saviour;

May we all there unite,

Happy for ever:

Where kindred spirits dwell,

There may our music swell,

And time our joys dispel,

Never—no, never!

4 Soon shall we meet again,

Meet ne’er to sever:

Soon shall Peace wreathe her chain

Round us for ever:

O love divine, how sweet thou art!

When shall I find my wandering heart

All taken up in thee!

O may I daily live to prove

The sweetness of redeeming love,

The love of Christ to me.

2 God only knows the love of God;

O may it now be shed abroad

To cheer my fainting heart!

I want to feel that love divine;

This heavenly portion, Lord, be mine—

Be mine this better part.

3 O that I could for ever sit

With Mary at the Master’s feet!

Be this my happy choice;

My only care, delight, and bliss,

My joy, my heaven on earth, be this,

To hear the Bridegroom’s voice.

4 O that I might, with happy John,

Recline my weary head upon

The blessed Redeemer’s breast!

From care, and fear, and sorrow free,

Give me, O Lord, to find in thee

My everlasting rest.

Peacefully, tenderly,

Here, as we part,

The farewell that lingers

Be breathed from the heart:

2 Thoughtfully, carefully,

Solemn and slow!

Tears are bedewing

The path that we go;

Perils before us

We know not to-day—

Kindly and safely,

O Lord, lead the way.

3 Upwardly, steadfastly,

Gaze on that brow:

Jesus, our Leader,

Reigns conqueror now.

His steps let us follow,

His sufferings dare,

Go up to glory,

His blessedness share.

4 Patiently, cheerfully,

Up, and depart

To labor and duty

With gladness of heart;

The ransomed, with triumph,

To Zion we’ll bring,

Shouting salvation

To Jesus, our King.

Farewell, my friends, time rolls along,

Nor waits for mortal care or bliss;

I leave you here to travel on,

Till I arrive where Jesus is.

Chorus.—Farewell, farewell, farewell,

My Christian friends, farewell.

O happy children who follow Jesus

Into the house of prayer and praise,

And join in union while love increases,

Resolved this way to spend our days:

Although we’re hated by the world and Satan,

By the flesh and such as love not God;

Yet happy moments and joyful seasons

We ofttimes find on Canaan’s road.

2 Since we’ve been waiting on lovely Jesus,

We’ve felt some strength come from above,

Our hearts have burned with holy rapture,

We long to be absorbed in love:

Let us sing praises for what is given,

And trust in God for time to come;

Sure we shall find the way to heaven;

So farewell, brethren—we’re going home.

3 And as we go let us praise our Saviour,

And pray for those who spurn his grace,

Lest they should lose love’s richest treasure,

And ne’er enjoy his smiling face.

Come on, my partners in distress,

My comrades in the wilderness,

Who feel your sorrows still;

A while forget your griefs and fears

And look beyond this vale of tears

To that celestial hill.

2 Beyond the bounds of time and space,

Look forward to that heavenly place,

The saint’s secure abode;

On faith’s strong eagle pinions rise,

And force your passage to the skies,

And scale the mount of God.

3 Who suffer with our Master here,

Shall there before his face appear,

And by his side sit down:

To patient faith the prize is sure;

And all that to the end endure

The cross, shall wear the crown.

’Mid scenes of confusion and creature complaints,

How sweet to my soul is communion with saints;

To find at the banquet of mercy there’s room,

And feel in the presence of Jesus at home.

2 Sweet bonds, that unite all the children of peace;

And thrice blessÉd Jesus, whose love can not cease;

Though oft from thy presence in sadness I roam,

I long to behold thee in glory at home.

3 While here in the valley of conflict I stray,

O give me submission and strength as my day;

In all my afflictions to thee would I come,

Rejoicing in hope of my glorious home.

One baptism and one faith,

One Lord below, above,

The fellowship of Zion hath

One only watchword—Love.

From different temples though it rise,

One song ascendeth to the skies.

2 Our sacrifice is One;

One priest before the throne—

The crucified, the risen Son,

Redeemer, Lord alone!

And sighs from contrite hearts that spring,

Our chief, our choicest offering.

3 O why should they who love

One gospel to unfold,

Who look for one bright home above,

On earth be strange and cold?

Why, subjects of the Prince of Peace,

In strife abide, and bitterness?

4 O may that holy prayer—

His tenderest and his last,

The utterance of his latest care

Ere to the cross he passed—

No longer unfulfilled remain,

The World’s offense, thy people’s stain!