1 Brethren, called by one vocation,
Members of one family,
Heirs through Christ of one salvation,
Let us live in harmony;
Nor by strife embitter life,
Journeying to eternity.
2 In a land where all are strangers,
And our sojourning so short,
In the midst of common dangers,
Concord is our best support;
Heart with heart divides the smart,
Lightens grief of every sort.
3 Let us shun all vain contention
Touching words and outward things,
Whence alas! so much dissension
And such bitter rancor springs;
Troubles cease, where Christ brings peace
And sweet healing of His wings.
4 Judge not hastily of others,
But thine own salvation ind;
Nor be captious to thy brother's,
To thine won offenses blind;
God alone discerns thine own,
And the hearts of all mankind.
5 Let it be our chief endeavor,
That we may the Lord obey,
Then shall envy ease forever,
And all hate be done away;
Free from strife shall be his life
Who serves God both night and day!
Source: The Lutheran Hymnary #407
Spitta, Carl Johann Philipp, D.D., was born Aug. 1, 1801, at Hannover, where his father, Lebrecht Wilhelm Gottfried Spitta, was then living, as bookkeeper and teacher of the French language. In his eleventh year Spitta fell into a severe illness, which lasted for four years, and so threw him back that his mother (the father died in 1805) abandoned the idea of a professional career, and apprenticed him to a watchmaker. This occupation did not prove at all congenial to him, but he would not confess his dislike, and his family were ignorant of it till an old friend, who was trying to comfort him after the death of a younger brother, discovered his true feelings. The younger brother had been preparing for ordination, and so Carl was now invited… Go to person page >
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