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HARK! THE DISTANT ISLES PROCLAIM

Scripture Verse

The isles shall wait for His law. Isaiah 42:4

Introduction

Words: Will­iam H. Bath­urst, Psalms and Hymns for Pub­lic and Pri­vate Use (Lon­don: Hat­chard & Sons, 1831), pag­es 264–65.

Music: New Ca­la­bar John D. Far­rer (1829–1919) (🔊 ).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Far­rer (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you send us an e-mail?

portrait
William H. Bathurst
(1796–1877)

Lyrics

Hark! the dist­ant isles pro­claim
Glory to Mes­si­ah’s name;
Hymns of praise un­heard be­fore,
Echo from the far­thest shore.

Hearts that once were taught to own
Idol gods of wood and stone,
Now to light and life re­stored
Honor Je­sus as their Lord.

Blessèd Sav­ior, still pro­ceed;
Bid the glo­ri­ous con­quest speed;
Let this first re­fresh­ing ray
Brighten to a per­fect day.

At Thy Gos­pel’s sol­emn call
Bid the towe­rs of Sa­tan fall;
And his wretch­ed slaves ob­tain
Freedom from their gall­ing chain.

Let the mes­sen­gers of peace
Raise their voice and nev­er cease
Till the world from sin made free,
Shall unite to wor­ship Thee.