The great lesson of the Christian religion is the lesson of Christian charity. Let us apply that lesson and sing, in inward if not in outward communion, even with a Unitarian, STEPHEN GREENLEAF BULFINCH, a hymn worthy to be sung by all who profess and call themselves Christians: We gather to the sacred board, But with us in sublime accord In creed and rite howe'er apart, A thousand spires, o'er hill and vale, High choirs, in Europe's ancient fanes, Around His tomb, on Salem's height, Greek and Armenian bend; And, through all Lapland's months of nights, Are we not brethren, Saviour dear? Then may we walk in love, Joint subjects of Thy Kingdom here, Joint heirs of bliss above. When James Freeman Clarke lay dying at Lakewood, he asked that there should be read to him Henry Francis Lyte's great hymn, "Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.” Was that a "Unitarian," or an "orthodox" request? It was both, inasmuch as it came from a man who was outwardly a Unitarian, but whose lifelong inward fellowship had been with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. He remembered his Master who had climbed the steep of Calvary, and so his spirit cried: Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes: Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies: In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. Let that be the cry of our spirits also, and for us "the valley of the shadow" will blaze with light. Christ's own Martyrs, valiant cohort, Cry "How long, O Lord, how long?" Ended in the Victor song? ""Twas His love that watch'd beside us, Sweeter His consoling grew, Till the men that killed the body Had no more that they could do." All Christ's saints, that none may number, Ye that by the fire and crystal Have your crowns in worship flung, Tell us how ye gained the region Where the Unknown Song is sung? "Glory, honor, adoration To the Lamb that once was slain; JOHN MASON NEALE. |