Forgive, O Lord, our severing ways

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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.

Source: Christian Worship: a hymnal #484

Author: John Greenleaf Whittier

Whittier, John Greenleaf, the American Quaker poet, was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, Dec. 17, 1807. He began life as a farm-boy and shoemaker, and subsequently became a successful journalist, editor and poet. In 1828 he became editor of the American Manufacturer (Boston), in 1830 of the New England Review, and an 1836 (on becoming Secretary to the American Anti-Slavery Society) of the Pennsylvania Freeman. He was also for some time, beginning with 1847, the corresponding editor of the National Era. In 1840 he removed to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where most of his later works have been written. At the present time [1890] he lives alternately at Amesbury and Boston. His first poetical piece was printed in the Newburyport Free Press in 182… Go to person page >

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First Line: Forgive, O Lord, our severing ways
Author: John Greenleaf Whittier

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