Author: John Greenleaf Whittier Hymnal: The Hymnbook #476 (1955) Meter: 8.8.8 Hymnal Title: The Hymnbook Lyrics: 1 Forgive, O Lord, our severing ways,
The rival altars that we raise,
The wrangling tongues that mar Thy praise.
2 Thy grace impart; in time to be
Shall one great temple rise to Thee—
One Church for all humanity.
3 White flowers of love its walls shall climb,
Soft bells of peace shall ring its chime,
Its days shall all be holy time.
4 A sweeter song shall then be heard,
Confessing, in a world's accord,
The inward Christ, the living Word.
5 That song shall swell from shore to shore,
One hope, one faith, one love restore
The seamless robe that Jesus wore.
Amen. Topics: Church, The Church Triumphant; Fellowship; Penitence; Unity; Church, The Christian Fellowship Scripture: Ephesians 4:4-6 Tune Title: O MENSCH SIEH
Forgive, O Lord, Our Severing Ways