3 And, while we pass this vale of tears,
  We’ll make our joys and sorrows known;
We’ll share each other’s hopes and fears,
  And count a brother’s case our own.

4 Once more, our welcome we repeat;
  Receive assurance of our love;
Oh! may we all together meet,
  Around the throne of God above.

     Thomas Kelly, 1812.

468 Evan.  C.M.

Brotherly Love. (983)

How sweet, how heavenly is the sight,
  When those who love the Lord,
In one another’s peace delight,
  And so fulfill his 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 failings 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.

     Joseph Swain. 1791

469 Evan.  C.M.

Gen. 24:31. (931)

Come in, beloved of the Lord,
  Stranger nor foe art thou;
We welcome thee with warm accord,
  Our friend, our brother, now.

2 The hand of fellowship, the heart
  Of love, we offer thee: 
Leaving the world, thou dost but part
  From lies and vanity.

3 Come with us,—­we will do thee good,
  As God to us hath done;
Stand but in him, as those have stood
  Whose faith the victory won.

4 And when, by turns, we pass away,
  And star by star grows dim,
May each, translated into day,
  Be lost and found in him.

     James Montgomery.

470 Evan.  C.M.

Covenant Vows. (933)

Witness, ye men and angels! 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 even quit the field.

3 We trust not in our native strength,
  But on his grace rely;
That, with returning wants, the Lord
  Will all our need supply.

4 Oh! 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.

     Benjamin Beddome, 1790.

471 Dennis.  S.M.

Love to the Brethren. (992)

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.