406. How fair the Church of Christ shall stand

1 How fair the Church of Christ shall stand,
A beacon-light in all the land,
When love and faith all hearts inspire,
And all unite in one desire
To be as brothers, and agree
To live in peace and unity.

2 'Tis all in vain that you profess
The doctrines of the Church, unless
You live according to your creed,
And show your faith by word and deed.
Observe the rule: To others do
As you would have them do to you.

3 Resentment, hate, and cruel jest,
Must not be harbored in the breast
Where love and charity should dwell;
Then, think and speak of others well,
Refrain from all that causes strife
And mars a truly Christian life.

4 So let your tongue, your heart, and mind
Agree to banish every kind
Of malice, falsehood and disguise,
And here on earth a paradise
Of peace and harmony maintain,
Where concord and good-will shall reign.

5 For God observes our thoughts and deeds,
The secrets of our heart He reads;
The wicked can not be concealed,
Their evil ways shall be revealed,
He every true believer knows,
And love and grace on him bestows.

6 My soul, be therefore of good cheer,
Though sinners threaten, scoff, and sneer,
Serenely on your way proceed,
Nor worldly strife and clamor heed,
For Jesus' sake the cross you bear,
And soon with Him the crown shall wear.

7 O gracious God, wilt Thou my heart
So fashion in each secret part,
That Thou be sanctified in me,
Till Thee in heaven above I see,
Where holy, holy, holy, Lord,
We sing to Thee with sweet accord.

Text Information
First Line: How fair the Church of Christ shall stand
Author: T. Kingo (1699)
Meter: 8s. 6L.
Publication Date: 1913
Topic: The Church Year: Fourth Sunday after Trinity; Brotherly Love; Communion of Saints
Tune Information
Name: [How fair the Church of Christ shall stand]
Meter: 8s. 6L.
Source: Schumann's Gesangbuch, 1539



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