THE BROTHER

"A brother beloved ... both in the flesh, and in the Lord" Philemon 16

To be a preacher some aspire, while some desire to teach;

This word appeals to every saint and comes within his reach,

To be a BROTHER day by day. Nay, strive for nothing more,

But seek the grace of Christ thy Lord, to be one evermore;

Striving to fill the lowly place, of self forgetful be,

And in your brother look for Christ - then Christ you'll surely see.

The brother's link is all of God; it has been ordered so,

Then let thy brother be thy care, and keep his love aglow;

Yes, be a brother day by day, in this sad world of need,

And win the confidence of those whose hungry souls you'd feed;

Think of those lone and empty hearts, who look for such as you,

Take them the sympathy of Christ, and be a brother true.

Think of that brother gone astray - will you not win him back,

And bring those wand'ring feet again along the narrow track?

Embrace him in the arms of love and with a righteous grace,

Lead thou thy brother back again to see the Saviour's face.

O, tell him of a perfect love, so constant and so true,

For is not this a useful work for loving hearts to do?

So walk, my brother, ceaseless pray! Be strong in His own grace!

Be exercised in heart and soul to fill a brother's place;

And be a brother through and through, spending and being spent,

One will, God's will: one way, His way; so happy and content.

To live for others, not for self, is love's excelling way;

O covet this above all else, till dawns love's perfect day!

 

W.Bridges

"A brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17: 17.

"Thy brother ... when he seeth thee, will be glad in his heart." Exodus 4: 14

 

From Words of Truth: May 1946