Return, O wanderer, return,
And seek an injured Father’s face;
Those warm desires that in thee burn
Were kindled by reclaiming grace.
Return, O wanderer, return,
And seek a Father’s melting heart,
Whose pitying eyes thy grief discern,
Whose hand can heal thine inward smart.
Return, O wanderer, return,
Thy Savior bids thy spirit live;
Go to His bleeding feet, and learn
How freely Jesus can forgive.
Return, O wanderer, return,
And wipe away the falling tear;
‘Tis God who says, “No longer mourn,”
‘Tis mercy’s voice invites thee near.
About the writer: William Bengo Collyer was the pastor of a Congregational church from 1801, when he was ordained, until his death in 1854. He was born near London in 1782 and was educated at Homerton College, which he entered at the age of sixteen. He edited a hymn book which was published in 1812 called Hymns Partly Collected and Partly Original. To this book, he contributed 57 of his own hymns.
Key Verse: A person who strays from home is like a bird that strays from its nest. –Proverbs 27:8