UNITY.
Reading edition
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments.—Psalm cxxxiii. 1, 2.
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.—Ephesians, iv. 3.
E’en as the ointment whose sweet odours blended, From Aaron’s head upon his beard descended, And, falling thence, with rich perfume ran o’er The holy garb the prophet wore: So doth the unity that lives with brothers Share its best blessings and its joy with others. Kamphuyzen.
Behold how good it is that brethren dwell In unity together. Sweet it is, As the rich unguent that o’er Aaron fell From head to beard, and even deigned to kiss His garment skirts. ’Tis precious as the dew Distilled on Hermon in fine essences. Yea, it refreshes Zion’s mountains too; For there the blessing of eternal life, The Lord our God shall evermore renew. J. A. Heraud.
The glorious universe around, The heavens with all their train, Sun, moon, and stars are firmly bound In one mysterious chain. In one fraternal bond of love, One fellowship of mind, The saints below, the saints above, Their bliss and glory find. Here, in their house of pilgrimage, Thy statutes are their song; There, through one bright eternal age, Thy praises they prolong! Lord, may our union form a part Of that thrice happy whole, Derive its pulse from Thee, the heart, Its life from Thee, the soul. J. Montgomery.