The Tender Light of Home Behind

The ten­der light of home be­hind

Dark hea­then gloom be­fore

The serv­ants of the Lord go forth

To ma­ny a for­eign shore:

But the true light that can­not pale

Streams on them from above

A light di­vine

that shall not fail—

The smile of Him they love.

The shel­ter­ing nest of home be­hind

The bat­tle­field be­fore

They gird their heav’n­ly ar­mor on

And seek the for­eign shore:

But Christ their cap­tain

with them goes

He leads them in the way;

With Him they face the migh­ti­est foes

With Him they win the day.

The peace­ful joys of home be­hind

Danger and death be­fore

Right cheer­ful­ly they set their face

To seek the for­eign shore:

For Christ has called

and His dear Word

Brings bliss

whate’er be­tide;

’Tis not alone—’tis with their Lord

They seek the oth­er side.

A wealth of love and pray­er be­hind

Far-reach­ing hope be­fore

The serv­ants of the Lord go forth

To seek a for­eign shore:

And where­so­e’er their foot­steps move

That hope makes sweet the air;

And all the path is paved with love

And ca­no­pied with pray­er.

Christ in the fond­ly-loved be­hind

Christ in the bright be­fore

Oh! blest are they who start with Him

To seek the for­eign shore!

Christ is their fair

un­fad­ing light

Christ is their shield and sword

Christ is their keep­er

day and night

And Christ their rich re­ward.