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Horatius Bonar Hymns

Horatius Bonar Hymns

Horatius Bonar (19 December, 1808 – 31 May, 1889) was a Scottish churchman and poet.

The son of James Bonar, Solicitor of Excise for Scotland, he was born and educated in Edinburgh. He comes from a long line of ministers who have served a total of 364 years in the Church of Scotland. One of eleven children, his brothers John James and Andrew Alexander were also ministers of the Free Church of Scotland. He had married Jane Catherine Lundie in 1843 and five of their young children died in succession. Towards the end of their lives, one of their surviving daughters was left a widow with five small children and she returned to live with her parents. Bonar's wife, Jane, died in 1876. He is buried in the Canongate Kirkyard.
In 1853 Bonar earned the Doctor of Divinity degree at the University of Aberdeen.

He entered the Ministry of the Church of Scotland. At first he was put in charge of mission work at St. John's parish in Leith and settled at Kelso. He joined the Free Church at the time of the Disruption of 1843, and in 1867 was moved to Edinburgh to take over the Chalmers Memorial Church (named after his teacher at college, Dr. Thomas Chalmers). In 1883, he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland.
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Horatius Bonar Hymns

Beloved, Let Us Love

Belovèd, let us love: love is of God; In God alone hath love its true abode. Belovèd, let us love: for they who love, They only, are His sons, born from above. Belovèd, let us love: for love is rest, And he who loveth not abides unblest. Belovèd, let us love: for love is light, And he who loveth not... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Blessèd Night, When First That Plain

Blessèd night, when first that plain Echoed with the joyful strain, “Peace has come to earth again.” Alleluia! Blessèd hills, that heard the song, Of the glorious angel throng Swelling all your slopes along. Alleluia! Happy shepherds, on whose ear Fell the tidings glad and clear, “God to man is draw... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power

Blessing and honor and glory and power, Wisdom and riches and strength evermore Give ye to Him Who our battle hath won Whose are the kingdom, the crown, and the throne. Into the heav’n of the heav’ns hath He gone, Sitteth He now in the joy of the throne, Weareth He now of the kingdom the crown, Sing... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

By the Cross of Jesus Standing

By the cross of Jesus standing, Love our straitened souls expanding, Taste we now the peace and grace! Health from yonder tree is flowing, Heav’nly light is on it glowing, From the blessed Sufferer’s face. Here is pardon’s pledge and token, Guilt’s strong chain forever broken, Righteous peace secure... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Church Has Waited Long, The

The Church has waited long Her absent Lord to see; And still in loneliness she waits, A friendless stranger she. How long, O Lord our God, Holy and true and good, Wilt Thou not judge Thy suffering church, Her sighs and tears and blood? We long to hear Thy voice, To see Thee face to face, To share Th... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Come, Lord, and Tarry Not

Come, Lord, and tarry not; Bring the long looked for day; O why these years of waiting here, These ages of decay? Come, for Thy saints still wait; Daily ascends their sigh; The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come”; Does Thou not hear the cry? Come, for creation groans, Impatient of Thy stay, Worn out wi... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Cross, It Standeth Fast, The

The cross, it standeth fast— Hallelujah, hallelujah! Defying every blast— Hallelujah, hallelujah! The winds of hell have blown, The world its hate hath shown, Yet it is not overthrown— Hallelujah for the cross! Refrain Hallelujah, hallelujah, Hallelujah for the cross; Hallelujah, hallelujah, It shal... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Far Down the Ages Now

Far down the ages now, Her journey well nigh done, The pilgrim Church pursues her way, And longs to reach her crown. No wider is the gate, No broader is the way, No smoother is the ancient path That leads to light and day. No feebler is the foe, No slacker grows the fight, Nor less the need of armor... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Few More Years Shall Roll, A

A few more years shall roll, A few more seasons come, And we shall be with those that rest Asleep within the tomb; Then, O my Lord, prepare My soul for that great day. Refrain O wash me in Thy precious blood, And take my sins away. A few more suns shall set O’er these dark hills of time, And we shal... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Fill Thou My Life

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God, In every part with praise, That my whole being may proclaim Thy being and Thy ways. Not for the lip of praise alone, Nor e’en the praising heart I ask, but for a life made up Of praise in every part! Praise in the common words I speak, Life’s common looks and tones,... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Glory Be to God the Father

Glory be to God the Father, Glory be to God the Son, Glory be to God the Spirit, Great Jehovah, Three in One! Glory, glory, glory, glory, While eternal ages run! Glory be to Him Who loved us, Washed us from each spot and stain! Glory be to Him Who bought us, Made us kings with Him to reign! Glory, g... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Go, Labor On: Spend, and Be Spent

Go, labor on: spend, and be spent, Thy joy to do the Father’s will: It is the way the Master went; Should not the servant tread it still? Go, labor on! ’tis not for naught Thine earthly loss is heavenly gain; Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not; The Master praises: what are men? Go, labor on! ... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Great Master, Touch Us

Great Master, touch us with Thy skillful hands; Let not the music that is in us die; Great Sculptor, hew and polish us, nor let Hidden and lost, Thy form within us lie. Spare not the stroke; do with us what Thou wilt; Let there be naught unfinished, broken, marred; Complete Thy purpose that we may b... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

He Has Come, the Christ of God

He has come, the Christ of God: Left for us His glad abode; Stooping from His throne of bliss To this darksome wilderness. He has come, the Prince of Peace: Come to bid our sorrows cease; Come to scatter with His light All the shadows of our night. He, the mighty King, has come, Making this poor ear... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

He Is Near

I know not when the Lord will come, Or at what hour He may appear, Whether at midnight or at morn, Or at what season of the year. Refrain I only know that He is near, And that His voice I soon shall hear; I only know that He is near, And that His voice I soon shall hear; I know not what of time rema... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

He Liveth Long Who Liveth Well

He liveth long who liveth well; All other life is short and vain; He liveth longest who can tell Of living most for heavenly gain. He liveth long who liveth well; All else is being flung away; He liveth longest who can tell Of true things truly done each day. Be what thou seemest; live thy creed; Ho... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Here, O My Lord, I See Thee

Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face; Here would I touch and handle things unseen; Here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace, And all my weariness upon Thee lean. This is the hour of banquet and of song; This is the heavenly table spread for me; Here let me feast, and feasting, still prolong The... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

Holy Father, Hear My Cry

Holy Father, hear my cry; Holy Savior, bend Thine ear; Holy Spirit, come Thou nigh; Father, Savior, Spirit, hear. Father, save me from my sin; Savior, I Thy mercy crave; Gracious Spirit, make me clean: Father, Savior, Spirit, save. Father, let me taste Thy love; Savior, fill my soul with peace; Spir... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

I Bless the Christ of God

I bless the Christ of God, I rest on love divine, And with unfaltering lip and heart, I call the Savior mine. His cross dispels each doubt; I bury in His tomb Each thought of unbelief and fear, Each lingering shade of gloom. I praise the God of peace, I trust His truth and might; He calls me His, I ... Read More
Horatius Bonar Hymns

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad; I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad. I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give The living water; thi... Read More

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