^'They desire a better country, that is, an heavenly"

Full Text

1 As, when the weary traveler gains
The height of some o'er-looking hill,
His heart revives, when cross plains
He eyes his home, though distant still;

2 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.

3 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.

4 The thought of home his spirit cheers;
No more he grieves for troubles past;
Nor any future trial fears,
So he may save arrive at last.

5 '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.

6 Jesus, on thee my hope depends,
To lead me on to thine abode;
Assured that heaven will make amends
For all our toil while on the road.

The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors, 1799

Author: John Newton

Newton, John, who was born in London, July 24, 1725, and died there Dec. 21, 1807, occupied an unique position among the founders of the Evangelical School, due as much to the romance of his young life and the striking history of his conversion, as to his force of character. His mother, a pious Dissenter, stored his childish mind with Scripture, but died when he was seven years old. At the age of eleven, after two years' schooling, during which he learned the rudiments of Latin, he went to sea with his father. His life at sea teems with wonderful escapes, vivid dreams, and sailor recklessness. He grew into an abandoned and godless sailor. The religious fits of his boyhood changed into settled infidelity, through the study of Shaftesbury and… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: As when the weary traveler gains
Title: ^'They desire a better country, that is, an heavenly"
Author: John Newton
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English

Notes

As when the weary traveller gains. J. Newton. [Nearing Heaven.] Included in the Olney Hymns, 1779, Bk. iii., No. 58, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines and entitled "Home in View," and continued in later editions of the same. It was given at an early date in the old collections, and is still in somewhat extensive use both in Great Britain and America, specially in the latter. In a great many cases the text is altered and abbreviated. The Baptist Psalms & Hymns, 1858, No. 576, is an exception in favour of the original. The Rev. R. Bingham has given a Latin rendering of the original with the omission of stanza ii. in his Hymnologia Christiana Latina, 1871, p. 67:—"Ut quando fessus longâ regione viator."

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Timeline

Instances

Instances (191)TextImageAudioScore
A Choice Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Designed to Aid in the Devotions of Prayer, Conference, and Camp-Meetings #101Image
A Choice Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians #383Image
A Church of England Hymn Book #236
A Collection of Hymns and a Liturgy: for the use of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, to which are added prayers for families and individuals (New and Enl. Stereotype Ed.) #685Image
A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the United Brethren in Christ #d25
A Collection of Hymns, for the use of the United Brethren in Christ: taken from the most approved authors, and adapted to public and private worship #689Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship #468Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (10th ed.) #468Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. 16th ed. #468Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. (3rd ed.) #468Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship. (45th ed.) #468Image
A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (6th ed.) #468Image
A Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs; suited to the various kinds of Christian worship; and especially designed for and adapted to the Fraternity of the Brethren... #799Image
A Collection of Sacred Song: being an eclectic compilation for the use of churches, families, and boarding-schools... #28(H186)Image
A Collection of Sacred Song: being an eclectic compilation for the use of churches, families and schools... (2nd ed.) #28(H186)Image
A Collection of Spiritual Hymns: adapted to the Various Kinds of Christian Worship, and especially designed for the use of the Brethren in Christ. 2nd ed. #601Image
A Compilation of Genuine Church Music. 4th ed. #d20
A New Selection of Hymns: collected from various authors #67Image
A New Selection of Hymns; designed for the use of conference meetings, private circles, and congregations, as a supplement to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns #475Image
A New Selection of Nearly Eight Hundred Evangelical Hymns, from More than 200 Authors in England, Scotland, Ireland, & America, including a great number of originals, alphabetically arranged #667aImage
A New Selection of Seven Hundred Evangelical Hymns ... intended as a Supplement to Dr. Watts's Psalms and Tunes #667Image
A Selection of Hymns #d15
A Selection of Hymns for the use of social religious meetings, and for private devotions 2d ed. #34Image
A Selection of Hymns....3d ed #d18
A Selection of Hymns, adapted to the devotions of the closet, the family, and the social circle; and containing subjects appropriate to the monthly concerns of prayer for the success... #39Image
A Selection of Hymns for the Use of Church of England Sunday Schools, Bible Classes ... New ed. #d20
A Selection of Hymns for the Use of Social Religious Meetings and for Private Devotions. 7th ed. #239Image
A Selection of Hymns, from the Best Authors, Designed as a Supplement to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns #d33
A Selection of Psalms and Hymns for ... Diocese of Nova Scotia. 3rd ed. #d24
A Selection of Psalms and Hymns for the Use of the Diocese of Nova Scotia. 3rd ed. #d24
Additional Hymns to the Collection of Hymns for the use of Evangelical Lutheran Churches #685Image
American Psalmody: a collection of sacred music, comprising a great variety of psalm, and hymn tunes, set-pieces, anthems and chants, arranged with a figured bass for the organ...(3rd ed.) #160Image
American Sunday School Psalmody; or, hymns and music, for the use of Sunday-schools and teacher's meetings; with a manual of instruction #118Image
Asaph: or, The Choir Book #d20
Book of Common Praise #d36
Book of Hymns and Tunes, comprising the psalms and hymns for the worship of God, approved by the general assembly of 1866, arranged with appropriate tunes... by authority of the assembly of 1873 #63cImage
Chapel Hymns #d36
Choice Hymns: for social and private devotion, Lord's Day schools and revivals. (2nd ed.) #170Image
Choice Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d6
Church Hymnal #435Image
Church Melodies, a Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d74
Church Melodies: collection of psalms and hymns, with appropriate music. For the use of congregations. #77Image
Church Poetry: being Portions of the Psalms in Verse and Hymns suited to the Festivals and Fasts, and Various Occasions of the Church #203aImage
Church Psalmist: or Psalms and Hymns Designed for the Public, Social, and Private Use of Evangelical Christians ... with Supplement. 53rd ed. #821Image
Church Psalmist: or, psalms and hymns, for the public, social and private use of Evangelical Christians. With Supplement. (50th ed.) #821Image
Cole's Pocket Edition of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, Containing Most of the Tunes Used in Different Churches #d8
Congregational Hymn and Tune Book; containing the Psalms and Hymns of the General Association of Connecticut, adapted to Suitable Tunes #135Image
David's Harp: or the Boston Sabbath school song book, containing a variety of pleasing tunes in all the various metres; also hymns, anthems, and chants...(2nd Rev. Ed.) #94Image
Evangelical Musick: or, The Sacred Minstrel and Sacred Harp United #d5
Evangelical Musick: or, The Sacred Minstrel and Sacred Harp United: consisting of a great variety of psalm and hymn tunes, set pieces, anthems, etc. (10th ed) #138bImage
Favorite Hymns: in their original form #IIImage
Gloria Deo: a Collection of Hymns and Tunes for Public Worship in all Departments of the Church #456Image
Good Will Songs: a Compilation of Hymns and Tunes #224Image
Gospel Hymns #d34
Gospel Light, or Hymns and Tunes for all Occasions of Christian Work and Worship #d25
Harmonia Sacra, being a Compilation of Church Music. 10th ed #d19
Hymn and Tune Book for Use in Old School or Primitive Baptist Churches #286Image
Hymnal: according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America #450Text
Hymnal: according to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America : Revised edition (1874) #450Image
Hymnal and Canticles of the Protestant Episcopal Church with Music (Gilbert & Goodrich) #450
Hymnal Companion to the Prayer Book: suited to the special seasons of the Christian year, and other occasions of public worship, as well as for use in the Sunday-school...With accompanying tunes #444bImage
Hymnal Companion to the Prayer Book: suited to the special seasons of the Christian year, and other occasions of public worship, as well as for use in the Sunday-school...With accompanying tunes #444aImage
Hymnal Companion to the Prayer Book: with accompanying tunes #512Image
Hymnal Companion to the Prayer Book with Accompanying Tunes (Second Edition) #512Image
Hymnal of the Presbyterian Church #170Image
Hymnal of the Reformed Episcopal Church #d11
Hymnal of the Reformed Episcopal Church, adopted in General Council, Chicago, May 1879 #d19
Hymns and Songs for Social and Sabbath Worship #351Image
Hymns and Songs for Social and Sabbath Worship. (Rev. ed.) #351Image
Hymns and Songs of Praise for Public and Social Worship #719Image
Hymns for Children and Young Persons #d35
Hymns for Public Worship in the Diocese of Fredericton. 2nd ed. #d8
Hymns for Social Worship: collected from various authors #69Image
Hymns for the Sanctuary and Social Worship: with tunes #1133Image
Hymns for the Use of the New Jerusalem Church #d21
Hymns for the Use of the Society of United Christian Friends Professing the Faith of Universal Salvation #d30
Hymns of the Ages for Public and Social Worship #609Image
Hymns of the Ages for Public and Social Worship, Approved and Recommended ... by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. 2nd ed. #d29
Hymns of the Church Militant #155Image
Hymns of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, as authorized by the General Convention: with an additional selection #186Image
Hymns, Selected and Arranged for the Sunday School of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Matthew, Philadelphia #d11
Hymns, Selected from Various Authors, for the Use of Young Persons #d14
Hymns, Selected from Various Authors, for the Use of Young Persons 3rd Am. from 9th London ed. #d17
Hymns suited to the Feasts and Fasts of the Church and Other Occasions of Public Worship ... approved by the Convention of 1826 #d17
Juvenile Choir: for the use of Sabbath Schools, Bible Classes and the social circle #52Image
Light and Life: a collection of new hymns and tunes for sunday schools, prayer meetings, praise meetings and revival meetings #85Image
Light in the Valley: a new work of great merit for the Sunday school, revivals, Christian Endeavor, Epworth League, young people's society, and all forward movement along the line of battle... #161Image
Melodies of the Church: a collection of psalms and hymns adapted to publick and social worship, seasons of revival, monthly concerts of prayer, and various similar occasions... #d73
New Life: or, Songs and Tunes for Sunday-Schools, Prayer Meetings, and Private Occasions #75Image
New Union Hymns #286Image
On Wings of Song #d11
One Hundred Progressive Hymns #79Image
Original and Selected Reformation Hymns ... dedicated to the Twelve Tribes of the Lord's Modern Israel #d5
Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes; for the use of Christian Congregations #1228Image
Prayer and Praise: or Hymns and Tunes for Prayer Meetings, Praise Meetings, Experience Meetings, Revivals, Missionary Meetings and all special occasions of Christian work and worship #209Image
Psalms and Hymns Adapted to Social, Private and Public Worship in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. #d44
Psalms and Hymns, for Christian Use and Worship #H367Image
Psalms and Hymns, for the Use of the German Reformed Church, in the United States of America. (2nd ed.) #421Image
Psalms and Hymns for the Worship of God #d51
Public, Parlour, and Cottage Hymns. A New Selection #II.116Image
Resurrected Songs prepared for the Church #d17
Revival Hymns #106Image
Sacred Lyrics #d3
Select Hymns #d27
Select Hymns: adapted to the devotional exercises of the Baptist denomination (2nd ed.) #271Image
Selections from the Psalms of David in Metre: with hymns suited to the feasts and fasts of the church, and other occasions of public worship #H186Image
Social Hymn and Tune Book: for the Lecture Room, Prayer Meeting, Family Circle, and Mission Church #d26
Social Hymn Book: Being the Hymns of the Social Hymn and Tune Book for the Lecture Room, Prayer Meeting, Family, and Congregation (2nd ed.) #462Image
Songs for the New Life #d23
Songs for the Sanctuary: or hymns and tunes for Christian Worship #1296Image
Songs for the Sanctuary, or Hymns and Tunes for Christian Worship #1296
Songs for the Sanctuary: or hymns and tunes for Christian Worship #1296Image
Songs for the Sanctuary: or hymns and tunes for Christian worship #1296Image
Songs for the Sanctuary; or Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (Baptist Ed.) #1296Image
Songs for the Sanctuary; or, Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship (Words only) #1296Image
Songs for the School #d8
Songs for the Service of Prayer #449Image
Songs of Devotion for Christian Assocations: a collection of psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, with music for chuch services, prayer and conference meetings, religious conventions, and family worship. #221Image
Songs of Gladness for the Sabbath School #d13
Songs of the Church: or, hymns and tunes for Christian worship #1170Image
Templi Carmina #d12
The American Hymn and Tune Book #d42
The American Tune Book (Carmina Sacra, enlarged) #d19
The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book: being "The Plymouth Collection" enlarged and adapted to the use of Baptist churches #1228Image
The Baptist Hymn Book: comprising a large and choice collection of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, adapted to the faith and order of the Old School, or Primitive Baptists (2nd stereotype Ed.) #704Image
The Baptist Praise Book #1064Image
The Book of Common Praise #d37
The Book of Praise: or, Hymns for Public and Social Worship #d43
The Brick Church Hymns, Designed for the Use of Social Prayer Meetings and Families, selected from the most approved authors #41Image
The Camp-Meeting Chorister: or, a collection of hymns and spiritual songs, for the pious of all denominations. To be sung at camp meetings, during revivals of religion, and on other occasions #305Image
The Chapel Hymn Book. 5th ed. #d32
The Chapel Hymn Book [for Warren and Pitt St. Chapels, Boston]. 4th ed. #d33
The Choice: in two parts. Part I containing psalms and hymns, Part II, containing spiritual songs. Designed for public and private worship #H176
The Choice: in two parts; Part I, containing Psalms and hymns, Part II, containing spiritual songs; designed for public and private worship (6th ed.) #H176Image
The Church Hymn Book #d56
The Church Hymnal: a collection of hymns from the Prayer book hymnal, Additional hymns, and Hymns ancient and modern, and Hymns for church and home. For use in Churches where licensed by the Bishop #220Image
The Church Hymnal: revised and enlarged in accordance with the action of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892... #677bImage
The Church Hymnal: revised and enlarged in accordance with the action of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892... #677aImage
The Church Hymnal: revised and enlarged in accordance with the action of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892. (Ed. B) #677bImage
The Church Hymnal: revised and enlarged in accordance with the action of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892. (Ed. B) #677aImage
The Church Hymnal with Canticles #450Image
The Churchman's Hymn-Book, a Collection of Hymns Old and New, for Use in the Services of the Church #d26
The Clifton Chapel Collection of "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs": for public, social and family worship and private devotions at the Sanitarium, Clifton Springs, N. Y. #1423Image
The College Hymnal: for divine service at Yale College in the Battell Chapel #359Image
The Congregational Hymn Book: for the service of the sanctuary #515Image
The Friends' Hymnal, a Collection of Hymns and Tunes for the Public Worship of the Society #d41
The Good Old Songs #d33
The Gospel Psalmist #654Image
The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the Most Approved Authors: to which are added a number never before published #CCLXVIIITextImage
The Hartford Selection of Hymns from the most approved authors to which are added, a number never before published. #268Image
The Hartford Selection of Hymns: from the most approved authors: to which are added a number never before published (2nd ed.) #CCLXVIIITextImage
The Hymnal Companion to the Book of Common Prayer with accompanying tunes (3rd ed., rev. and enl.) #240Image
The Hymnal: revised and enlarged as adopted by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the of our Lord 1892..with music, as used in Trinity Church #677Image
The Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged, as adopted by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892 #677bTextImage
The Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged, as adopted by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the year of our Lord 1892 #677aTextImage
The Imperial Harmony #d14
The Latest Collection of Original and Select Hymns and Spiritual Songs #148Image
The Lecture-Room Hymn-Book: containing the psalms and hymns of the book of common prayer, together with a choice selection of additional hymns, and an appendix of chants and tunes... #H186Image
The Lecture-Room Hymn-Book: containing the psalms and hymns of the book of common prayer, together with a choice selection of additional hymns, and an appendix of chants and tunes... #T20Image
The Missionary Tune Book #d5
The Modern Harp: or, Boston Sacred Melodist. #d21
The Mozart Collection of Sacred Music: containing melodies, chorals, anthems and chants, harmonized in four parts; together with the celebrated Christus and Miserere by ZIngarelli #130Image
The New Congregational Hymn and Tune Book, for Public, Social and Private Worship #158Image
The Presbyterian Hymnal #774Image
The Presbyterian Hymnal #774Image
The Primitive Baptist Hymnal: a choice collection of hymns and tunes of early and late composition #277Image
The Psalmist: a new collection of hymns for the use of Baptist churches; with a supplement #S95Image
The Psalmody: a collection of hymns for public and social worship #1231Image
The Psalms and Hymns: with the catechism, confession of faith and liturgy of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America #52fImage
The Psalms and Hymns, with the Catechism, Confession of Faith, and Liturgy, of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America #52fImage
The Psalms and Hymns, with the Doctrinal Standards and Liturgy of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in North America #H501Image
The Psalms of David: with hymns and spiritual songs: also, the catechism, confession of faith, and liturgy of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands #H52.VIImage
The Reformed Church Hymnal: with tunes #388Image
The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book, for the Service of Song in the House of the Lord #289bImage
The Sabbath Hymn Book. Baptist ed. #d57
The Sabbath School Lute: a selection of hymns and appropriate melodies, adapted to the wants of Sabbath schools, families and social meetings #18Image
The Sacred Lyre #d25
The School Hymn and Tune Book #d11
The Service of Praise #d10
The Service of Song for Baptist Churches #d47
The Tribute of Praise: a collection of hymns and tunes for public and social worship, and for the use in the family circle and Sabbath school #20Image
The Tribute of Praise: a collection of hymns and tunes for public and social worship, and for use in the family circle #20Image
The Tribute of praise and Methodist Protestant Hymn Book. #20Image
The Vestry Hymn Book #d23
The Voice of melody: a choice collection of hymn tunes for choirs, prayer-meetings, congregations, and family use #7Image
The Voice of Praise: a collection of hymns for the use of the Methodist Church #944Image
Union Prayer Meeting Hymns #d20
Union Prayer Meeting Hymns #d21
Village Hymns #d38
Village hymns for social worship, selected and original: designed as a supplement to Dr. Watts's Psalms and hymns (Stereotyped ed.) #269Image
Village Hymns for Social Worship, Selected and Original: designed as a supplement to the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts (6th ed.) #269Image