644SM
    BLEST be the tie that binds
   Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
    Is like to that above.
 
2      Before our Father’s throne
    We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
    Our comforts and our cares.
 
3      We share our mutual woes,
    Our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other flows
    The sympathising tear.
 
4      When for a while we part,
    This thought will soothe our pain,
That we shall still be joined in heart,
    And hope to meet again.
 
5      This glorious hope revives
    Our courage by the way,
While each in expectation lives,
    And longs to see the day.
 
6      From sorrow, toil, and pain,
    And sin we shall be free;
And perfect love and friendship reign
    Through all eternity.
 
John Fawcett, 1739-1817