I'm returning, not departing

I'm returning, not departing

Author: Horatius Bonar
Published in 5 hymnals


Representative Text

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.

Source: The Christian hymnary: a selection of hymns & tunes for Christian worship #853

Author: Horatius Bonar

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 >

Text Information

First Line: I'm returning, not departing
Author: Horatius Bonar
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances in all hymnals

Instances (1 - 5 of 5)
Page Scan

A Collection of Hymns and Sacred Songs #403

Page Scan

Hymns of Faith and Hope (2nd series) #232

Page Scan

Hymns of the Ages (3rd series) #279

Text

The Christian hymnary #853

The Gospel Hymnal #d517

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