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COMFORT Home in view As when the weary traveller gains The height of some o'er-looking hill, His heart revives, if cross the plains He eyes his home, though distant still. While he surveys the much-loved spot, He slights the space that lies between; His past fatigues are now forgot, Because his journey's end is seen. Thus, when the Christian pilgrim views, By faith, his mansion in the skies, The sight his fainting strength renews, And wings his speed to reach the prize: The thought of home his spirit cheers, No more he grieves for troubles past; Nor any future trial fears, (a) So he may safe arrive at last. 'Tis there, he says, I am to dwell With Jesus, in the realms of day; Then I shall bid my cares farewell, And he will wipe my tears away. Jesus, on thee our hope depends, To lead us on to thine abode: Assured our home will make amends For all our toil while on the road. [1] (a) Acts 20:24 [1] This is an oft-repeated assertion of Newton's, in his hymns for instance and in his funeral sermon (Exodus 3:2,3) for William Cowper, which ends: 'He was one of those who came out of great tribulation. He suffered much here for twenty seven years, but eternity is long enough to make amends for all. For what is all he endured in this life, when compared with that rest which remaineth for the children of God?' Similar Hymns: [relating to this section] Book 1, Hymns 4, 7, 9, 11, 25, 35, 36, 39, 41, 46, 47, 48, 70, 95, 128, 132 Book 2, Hymns 45, 46, 47		from John Newton's Diary, relevant to this hymn: Monday 6 April 1778 All my guests gone today. Lord go with them and stay with us. Our maid P_ is again very ill. Do thou sanctify to each of us our lot of afflictions, and give us submission to thy will in all things.   Tuesday 7 April At the Great House spoke from 1 Peter 3:13 [And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?] Took leave of the people, and we commended each other to the Lord by prayer, I intending for London in the morning.   Saturday 11 April I praise thee my Lord, for leading me out and bringing me home in peace. Had a pleasant journey both ways, pleasure and kindness from friends while abroad, and an easy completion of the business which called me, receiving money on account of my dear child. I was at Mrs [Wilberforce’s] and at Clapham – but heard no preaching. I preached on Friday evening for Mr Foster from Hebrews 12:2 [Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.] Found my Dear well. What reason have I to praise thee, for multiplied and abounding mercies, yet alas! how cold and insensible is my heart. Sunday 12 April Weary with my journey, but thou didst renew my strength. I had a comfortable liberty in the forenoon. A pleasing subject. O to me[be] more experimentally acquainted with it. O for grace to look to thee. Surely no other object deserves my attention. Little did I think who was concerned in my afternoon's subject. But I heard soon afterwards. Alas my Lord, this is a blow indeed. What will thy people, what will the world say? That NS whom we thought one of the most simple, humble and spiritual amongst us, should thus conceal a course of sin (it is to be feared) under the veil of a profession. This is awful and distressing indeed. Gracious Lord thou art able to heal this breach, and to bring good out of evil. Lord pity, humble and support him. Bring him to a true repentance, and seal his pardon. Teach us how to restore him in a spirit of meekness – teach us, not to be high-minded but to fear. O help me to be more earnest, faithful and watchful, over myself and over my charge. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Hymn No. 310 [On this date Newton preached from the above texts at his church, St Peter & St Paul, Olney, during the morning and afternoon services, and from this hymn at the informal evening service]

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Hymn: MS Eng 1317, Houghton Library, Harvard University
Diary: John Newton Collection, CO199, Princeton University