I will set out and go back to my father and say to him:
Luke 15:18Father, I have sinned against Heaven and you.
Words: Katharyn D. Bacon, in The Pilot (Lenoir, North Carolina: Teachers’ Music Publishing, 1914), number 27.
Music: Millard F. Wilkins (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Wilkins (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), or a better one of Bacon,
At the blessèd invitation
Of the glorious Son of God,
Souls are breaking now the bonds that have enslaved;
And from paths of sin and darkness
That their feet so long have trod,
They are coming home repentant to be saved.
Refrain
Coming home to be forgiven,
Taking Jesus at His word;
Coming to be heirs of Heaven,
Fully trusting in their Lord.
Freely all their sins confessing,
Casting on Him every care,
Trusting only in His grace to find sweet rest;
Just His love and mercy pleading
As they kneel in earnest prayer,
They are coming home, believing to be blest.
Refrain
Waiting not to cleanse their spirits,
Knowing Christ alone can free,
Weary of the sinner’s endless toil and strife;
Making now complete surrender,
Christ’s for evermore to be,
They are coming home to find eternal life.
Refrain
O the wonderful rejoicing
Round the throne of God on high,
When a contrite soul will cease in sin to roam!
And with glad exultant anthems
Now they Jesus glorify,
Singing, Praise the Lord, the lost are coming home!
Refrain