To Emmy

Emmy, sweetest gift of love:
you are mine, and I am yours.
In the pureness of the Spirit,
we belong unto the Lord.

For him living, his remaining –
this is our inmost desire.
Trusting him, we lift our eyes
to meet the radiance of his fire.

In amazement we behold
the endless bounty of his grace.
We can fully trust his love,
for he has loved us all our days.

From his wealth, the Lord has showered
abundant joy on our full hearts,
and in answer to our prayers
he guides us to him, heavenwards.

It is Jesus Christ alone
who’s given us our happiness.
He who banished all our sorrows
smiles with purest joy on us.

Jesus gave us fullest healing,
Jesus gave us perfect peace.
None has known such happiness
as Jesus has on us released.

Jesus is the only master
whom we’ll serve from day to day.
Our hearts beat for him alone:
we’re his forever, come what may.

Bound in loyalty to Jesus,
pledged to him, unbreakably,
I’m always yours; you, always mine –
because we love him endlessly.
Breslau, April 1– 2, 1907

After the farewell

I still cannot quite grasp it
that she had to depart.
How could I let it happen?
It tears my very heart!

Could I but only conquer
this storm of parting’s pain!
Or can it not be vanquished –
weak worm that I remain?

No, I could ne’er be happy,
were Jesus not my star.
’Tis he gives us contentment,
though far apart we are.

So will I rest in Jesus,
my king. He’ll fight for me –
his grace led us together,
he bears us mightily.

Yes, Jesus, this is fullness
of joy: to trust in thee,
for who believes is blissful
and shall thy glories see.

I know thou’lt lead her surely –
Emmy, my bride-to-be.
Thou knowest how completely
she trusts alone in thee.

So dearly do I love her –
much more than words can say.
With her I’m truly happy.
I shall be hers alway.

She is my own, my dear one,
in thee, my God and Lord.
And yet – far may it echo –
I love thee even more!

The deeper my surrender
to thee, to be thine own –
the purer my heart’s striving
to honor thee alone –

the more I am completely
her own in happiness.
For he who praises thee alone
shall see the heights of bliss.

In thee we are united:
we’ve made our vows on thee.
We’re thine for life, each hour –
thine eternally!
Breslau, May 29, 1907

Pure joy

Peace and joy and jubilation
flood through us from Jesus Christ,
whirling streams of glad elation –
peace laughs loud on every side.

Sing exulting, my beloved,
radiate your joy to all.
Joy – pure joy – is what Christ offers:
all our sorrows are no more.

Share your happiness with others,
pass it on to everyone.
You, my cheerful, beaming sunshine –
send your rays to all who come.

Soon I shall again be gazing
deep into your lovely eyes.
Soon I shall once more be with you –
greater joy could not be mine.

Only days keep us apart now,
my life’s deepest joy and bliss –
then you’ll walk along beside me
and return my every kiss.

All our lives let us be joyful,
radiant, happy in the Lord.
Jesus promises his blessings –
peace is ours forevermore.
Breslau, July 14, 1907

 

These poems and others by Eberhard and Emmy Arnold can be found in the free e-book "Poems and Rhymed Prayers".

 

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Your Turn. Tell us what you thought about this article:

Responses

I enjoyed the love letters of Eberhard Arnold to Emmy.
I also believe that living together in a christian community best enables one to love as Jesus would have each of us to do so.
Continue in the grace that God affords in these last days ahead to glorify God.

Morley