EARLY ADVENT
SDAH 439
How far from home? I asked, as on
I bent my steps-the watchman spake:
“the long, dark night is almost gone,
The morning soon will break.
Text
1
How far from home? I asked, as on
I bent my steps-the watchman spake:
“the long, dark night is almost gone,
The morning soon will break.
Then weep no more, but speed thy flight,
With Hope’s bright star guiding ray,
Till thou shalt reach the realms of light,
In everlasting days.”
2
I asked the warrior on the field;
This was his soul-inspiring song:
“With courage, bold, the sword I’ll wield,
The battle is not long.
Then weep no more, but well endure
The conflict, till thy work is done;
For this we know, the prize is sure,
When victory is won.”
3
I asked again; earth, sea, and sun
Seemed, with one voice, to make reply:
“Time’s wasting sands are nearly run,
Eternity is nigh.
Then weep no more-with warning tones,
Portentous signs are thickening round,
The whole creation, waiting, groans,
To hear the trumpet sound.”
4
Not far from home! O blessed thought!
The traveler’s lonely heart to cheer;
Which oft a healing balm has brought,
And dried the mourner’s tear.
Then weep no more, since we shall meet
Where weary footsteps never roam-
Our trails past, our joys complete,
Safe in our Father’s home.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Isa 21:11, 12 (b) Phil 3:14 (c) Luke 21:25; Rom 8:22; 1 Thess 4:16 (d) Rev 7:17, 14
Author
Annie R. Smith (1828-1855)
Year Published
1853
Theme
EARLY ADVENT
Hymn Tune
TIS MIDNIGHT HOUR
Metrical Number
8.8.8.6.D.
Annie Smith: Her Life and Love (2-Part Series)
Let none this humble work assail,
Its failings to expose to view,
Which sprung within Misfortune’s vale
And ‘neath the dews of Sorrow grew.
Thus does Annie Rebekah Smith, the early Adventist hymnist, beg indulgent tolerance of the little book of poems she completed on her deathbed in 1855. Her wishes will be honored here in favor of a modest effort to tell the simple story of her short, sad life.
Most of what is known about her comes from a little sketch of her life included in another book of poems published by her mother, Rebekah Smith, in 1871. From this we learn that Annie was born in West Wilton, New Hampshire, on March 16, 1828, the only daughter of Samuel and Rebekah Smith. She was four years older than her better-known brother, Uriah, and four months younger than the best-known of Adventist women, Ellen G. White.
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Notes
Get to know the hymns a little deeper with the SDA Hymnal Companion. Use our song leader’s notes to engage your congregation in singing with understanding. Even better, involve kids in learning this hymn with our homeschooling materials.
As the saints on earth travel through their life they ask, “How far from home?” The reply of the watchman is “The long dark night is almost gone, the morning soon will break…Out trials past, our joys complete, safe in our Father’s home.” Lesson 13, 1st Quarter 2021 -Sunday, New Heavens and A New Earth, 3/21/2021
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