Hymnal: The Christian Hymn Book
Date: 1865
Compiler: Alexander Campbell
Publisher/Printer: Central Book Concern
First Line: Breathe thoughts of pity o'er a brother's fall
Topic: The New Life/Sympathies and Activities
Writer: <no first name given> Edmeston
Composer:
Meter: 10s
Tune:
Hymn Number: 975
Page Number: 578, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsBreathe thoughts of pity o'er a brother's fall,
But dwell not with stern anger on his fault;
The grace of God alone holds thee, holds all;
Were that withdrawn, thou too would'st swerve and halt.
Send back the wanderer to the Saviour's fold-
That were an action worthy of a saint:
But not in malice let the crime be told,
Nor publish to the world the evil taint.
The Saviour suffers when his children slide;
Then is his holy name by men blashemed!
And he afresh is mocked and crucified,
Even by those his bitter death redeemed.
Rebuke the sin, and yet in love rebuke
Feel as one member in another's pain;
Win back the soul that his fair path forsook,
And mighty and eternal is thy gain.