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THE RETURN HOME

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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Nov 1, 1883

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 9, No. 41.

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THE RETURN HOME.

By John Mason Neale

[A hymn of the Greek Church in the tenth century, translated by John Mason Neale, D. D.]
SAFE home, safe home, in port ! Rent cordage, shattered deck, Torn sails, provision short, And only not a wreck, But oh, the joy upon the shore To know our voyage peril o'er.
The prize, the prize, secure, The athlete nearly fell; Bore all he could endure, And bore not always well. But he may smile at conflicts gone Who sets the victor's garland on.
No more the foe can harm, No more of leaguered camp, Nor cry of night alarm, Nor need of ready lamp. And yet how nearly he had failed, How nearly had that foe prevailed!
The lamb is in the fold, In perfect safety penned; The lion once had hold And thought to make an end, But One came by with wounded side, And for the sheep the Shepherd died.
The exile is at home. Oh, nights and days of tears! Oh, longings not to roam! Oh, sins and doubts and fears! What matter now (when men so say) The King has wiped those tears away.
Oh! happy, happy bride ! The widowed homes are past, The Bridegroom at thy side, Thou all his own at last! The sorrows of thy former cup In full fruition swallowed up.