Soul, celestial in thy birth

Soul! celestial in thy birth,
Dwelling yet in lowest earth,
Panting, shrinking to be free,
Hear God’s spirit whisper thee.

Thus it saith; in accents mild,—
“Weary wanderer, wayward child,
From thy Father’s earnest love
Still forever wilt thou rove?

“Turn to hope, and peace, and light,
Freed from sin, and earth, and night;
I have called, entreated thee,
In my mercies gentle, free.

“Human soul, in love divine
I have sought to make thee mine;
Still for thee good angels yearn;
Human soul, return, return!”

Source: A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) #197