Scripture Verse

Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37

Introduction

Words: Jo­si­ah Con­der, in The Con­gre­ga­tion­al Hymn Book, 1836.

Music: Sac­red Har­mo­ny J. Kidd, in The Pri­mi­tive Me­tho­dist Hym­nal with Sup­ple­ment, ed­it­ed by George Booth (Lon­don: Pri­mi­tive Me­tho­dist Pub­lish­ing House, 1912), num­ber 251 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Kidd’s full name, or where to get a good pic­ture of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Josiah Conder (1789–1855)

Lyrics

Welcome, welcome! sinner, hear!
Hang not back through shame or fear;
Doubt not, nor distrust the call,
Mercy is proclaimed to all.

Welcome to the offered peace;
Welcome, prisoner, to release!
Burst thy bonds; be saved; be free!
Rise and come—He calleth thee.

Welcome, weeping penitent!
Grace hath made thy heart relent;
Welcome, long estrangèd child!
God in Christ is reconciled.

Welcome to the cleansing fount
Springing from the sacred mount;
Welcome to the feast divine,
Bread of life and living wine.

All ye weary and distressed,
Welcome to relief and rest:
All is rea­dy; hear the call:
There is ample room for all.

None can come that shall not find
Mercy called whom Grace inclined;
Nor shall any willing heart
Hear the bitter word—Depart!

O the virtue of that price,
That redeeming sacrifice!
Come, ye bought, but not with gold;
Welcome to the sacred fold.