Classic Poem

O among many bretheren, Christ,
To the Father, is eldest born son,
The high head of the children of God,
Who are gather'd by Him into one.

So may brothers and sisters in Him
Live in love, and in peace fall asleep,
And rejoice with the brother in joy,
Still to weep with the brethren that weep.

And may all of us, working for good,
And all winning a heavenblest meed,
Have enough for the wants of our life
And to give to a mourner in need.

As when water is dipp'd from a pool,
And no hollow is left to the sight,
Since the inflowing waters anon
Fill it up to their own level height,

So when one sadden'd soul in the church
Is of some joyous blessing bereft,
May his brethren, in love, make it good
From the stores that in their hands are left.

For the church against evil is strong
As a cordage of manifold strands,
And the burden too heavy for one
Becomes light upon manifold hands.

And of all in the household of God,
The more fearless should strengthen the meek,
And the sound should be hands for the sick,
And the strong should give help to the weak;

As when Christ brought His gifts unto men,
He had come not for gifts they could give,
But to undergo evil and death,
That all we might in blessedness live.