1 Returning, not departing,
My steps are homeward bound;
I quit the land of strangers
For home on native ground.
I'm leaving only shadows
For what is true and good.
I must not, can not, linger;
I would not, tho' I could.
2 This is not death's dark portal--
Life's golden gate to me:
Link after link is broken,
And I at last am free.
Jesus thou wilt receive me,
And welcome me above;
This sunshine, which now fills me,
Is thine own smile of love.
Horatius Bonar was born at Edinburgh, in 1808. His education was obtained at the High School, and the University of his native city. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1837, and since then has been pastor at Kelso. In 1843, he joined the Free Church of Scotland. His reputation as a religious writer was first gained on the publication of the "Kelso Tracts," of which he was the author. He has also written many other prose works, some of which have had a very large circulation. Nor is he less favorably known as a religious poet and hymn-writer. The three series of "Hymns of Faith and Hope," have passed through several editions.
--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >
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