1HAPPY the souls that first believed,
To Jesus and each other cleaved:
Joined by the unction from above
In mystic fellowship of love.
2Meek, simple followers of the Lamb,
They lived and spake and thought the same;
They joyfully conspired to raise
Their ceaseless sacrifice of praise.
3With grace abundantly endued
A pure believing multitude,
They all were of one heart and soul,
And only love inspired the whole.
4O what an age of golden days!
O what a choice peculiar race!
Washed in the Lamb's all-cleansing blood,
Anointed kings and priests to God!
5Where shall I wander now to find
The successors they left behind?
The faithful, whom I seek in vain,
Are minished from the sons of men.
6Ye different sects of all declare,
Lo here is Christ or Christ is there!
Your stronger proofs divinely give,
And shew me, where the christians live.
7Your claim alas! ye cannot prove:
Ye want the genuine mark of love.
Thou only, Lord, thine own canst show,
For sure thou hast a church below.
8The gates of hell cannot prevail;
The church on earth can never fail:
Ah join me to thy secret ones!
Ah gather all thy living stones!
9Scattered o'er all the earth they lie,
Till Thou collect them with thine eye,
Draw by the music of thy name,
And charm into a beauteous frame.
10For this the pleading Spirt groans,
And cries in all thy banished ones:
Greatest of gifts thy love impart,
And make us of one mind and heart.
11Join every soul that looks to Thee
In bonds of perfect charity:
Now, Lord, the glorious fulness give,
And all in all for ever live.