John Donne's famous poem, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" was written in 1624. It expresses the connectedness of all mankind in that we are all a part of one another's existence. The passing of one person into the next life affects the greater whole. So as the church bell tolls to announce the death of one man, it also causes a bit of death in those that remain.
"The Walking Bell" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe tells of a young boy who chooses not to attend church when he hears the church bell tolling the hour, calling parishioners to the service. Despite his mother's admonition to heed the bell's call, the boy runs off to the fields to play. Upon hearing the bell again, he considers his mother's words of wisdom, that someday the bell will toll for him as it announces his death. He quickly decides to attend church, pursue a righteous path and always respond to the bell's call.
The famous poem, "Christmas Bells," by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was later turned into the Christmas carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." Originally written during the Civil War, it speaks of the church bells proclaiming peace on Earth. During a time of war and upheaval in the country, the writer turns melancholy until he again hears the bells' song, assuring him that peace will indeed come to Earth.
James Russell Lowell, a poet in the mid-1800's, wrote "Godminster Chime" as he dreamed of the church being unified. He writes of the bells clashing out their differing calls, as opposing denominations expound various doctrines. Yet he believes that one day all will be united in Heaven under Christ.