25 Christian Poems About Church, Fellowship and Unity

Was it in vain that Jesus prayed
For those he came to save,
When darkly o’er his path was laid
The shadow of the grave?

Hath Jesus loved and prayed in vain?
O doubting heart, be still!
Yet holds the Lord his glorious reign,
Despite of wrong and ill.

Though nations with their battle-cries
Profane the Almighty’s name,
Though bigots to the offended skies
Their own wild wrath proclaim,–

Thousands, in every Christian land,
Have never bowed the knee
In worship to the idol-band
Of strife and perfidy.

And these are one;–though some may bend
Before the Virgin’s shrine,
While others’ prayers and thanks ascend,
Father! alone at Thine,–

Yet they are one; if through their hearts
The soul of love be poured,
As swells some strain of various parts,
Yet all in sweet accord.

Hush the loud cannon’s roar,
The frantic warrior’s call!
Why should the earth be drenched with gore?
Are we not brothers all?

Want, from the wretch depart!
Chains, from the captive fall!
Sweet mercy, melt the oppressor’s heart,–
Sufferers are brothers all.

Churches and sects, strike down
Each mean partition-wall!
Let love each harsher feeling drown,–
Christians are brothers all.

Let love and truth alone
Hold human hearts in thrall,
That heaven its work at length may own,
And men be brothers all.

How long, O Lord, his brother’s blood
Shall man in battle spill?
How long that mandate be withstood,
Which cries, “Thou shalt not kill?”

How long shall glory still be found
In scenes of cruel strife,
Where misery walks, a giant crowned,
Crushing the flowers of life?

O, hush, great God! the sounds of war,
And make Thy children feel
That he, with Thee, is noblest far,
Who toils for human weal;–

And though forgotten, he alone
Can be a Christian true
Who would his foes as brethren own,
And still their good pursue.

We love the venerable house
Our fathers built to God;
In heaven are kept their grateful vows,
Their dust endears the sod.

Here holy thoughts a light have shed
From many a radiant face,
And prayers of tender hope have spread
A perfume through the place.

And anxious hearts have pondered here
The mystery of life,
And prayed the Eternal Spirit clear
Their doubts and aid their strife.

From humble tenements around
Came up the pensive train,
And in the church a blessing found,
Which filled their homes again.

For faith, and peace, and mighty love,
That from the Godhead flow,
Showed them the life of heaven above
Springs from the life below.

They live with God, their homes are dust;
But here their children pray,
And, in this fleeting lifetime, trust
To find the narrow way.

On him who by the altar stands,
On him Thy blessing fall!
Speak through his lips Thy pure commands,
Thou Heart, that lovest all!