Pietism Issue 10 | 1986 Purchase this issue

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The most vivid—and memorable—evidence of Pietist thought is to be found in their hymns and poetry. Singing was a cherished means of expressing spiritual desires and struggles and several Pietists contributed whole volumes of poetry to which familiar Lutheran and Reformed tunes were applied. In these stanzas the reader immediately notes a warm love for Christ and the simple faith trust of the believer.

CHRISTIAN HEARTS,

IN LOVE UNITED

Christian hearts, in love united,

Seek alone in Jesus rest;

Has he not your love excited?

Then let love inspire each breast;

Members—on our Head depending.

Light—reflecting him our Sun.

Brethren—his commands attending.

We in him, our Lord, are one.

Come then, come, O flock of Jesus,

Covenant with him anew;

Unto him, who conquered for us,

Pledge we love and service true;

And should our love’s union holy

Firmly linked no more remain,

Wait ye at his footstool lowly,

Till he draw it close again.

Grant, Lord, that with thy direction,

‘Love each other,’ we comply,

Aiming with unfeigned affection

Thy love to exemplify;

Let our mutual love be glowing;

Thus will all men plainly see,

That we, as on one stem growing,

Living branches are in thee.

And that such may be our union,

As shine with the Father is,

And not one of our communion

E’er forsake the path of bliss;

May our light ’fore men with brightness,

From thy light reflected, shine;

Thus the world will bear us witness,

That we, Lord, are truly thine.

Pietism: A Much-Maligned Movement Re-examined: Christian History, Issue 10, (Carol Stream, IL: Christianity Today, Inc.) 1997.