BIBLE REFERENCE:

A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.   Luke 15:11-24

William J. Kirkpatrick - Lyrics and Composer
1838-1921

Born: February 27, 1838, Duncannon, Pennsylvania.
Died: September 20, 1921, Germantown, Pennsylvania.
Buried: Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

HYMN HISTORY:

William J. Kirkpatrick wrote the music to many of our favorite hymns. Born in Duncannon, Pennsylvania in 1838, William learned to play musical instruments at an early age and received formal training. He published his first hymn collection at age 21, but although he issued around fifty books of music in his life, he often found it necessary to support himself with carpentry or furniture making, although he devoted every spare moment to music, playing for churches and writing hymn tunes.

Even his service with the Union armies in the Civil War was as a musician, fife major to the 91st Regiment P. V. Not until after the death of his first wife in 1878 was he able to devote himself full time to music. William wrote the tunes to many favorite hymns: "We Have Heard the Joyful Sound," "'Tis Sweet to Trust in Jesus," "Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It," and "He Hideth My Soul."

He wrote both the words and the music to the song "Lord, I'm Coming Home".

The story behind it shows him as a soul-winner.

William was song-leader at a camp meeting. The hired soloist had a magnificent voice, able to put tremendous expression into the music he sang. However, William noticed that the young man never stayed to hear the sermon.

Afraid that the soloist was not a Christian, William knelt in his tent and prayed long and earnestly for his soul. The words to "Coming Home" formed in his mind. He wrote them down and set them to a haunting tune.

I've wandered far away from God
Now I'm coming home
The paths of sin too long I've trod
Lord, I'm coming home.
Coming home, coming home never more to roam
Open wide thine arms of love, Lord I'm coming home.

That evening, William handed the newly-written words and tune to the soloist. Visibly moved after he had sung them, the man stayed for the sermon, went to the altar that night and gave his heart to Christ. The song became a popular invitation hymn in evangelical services, winning many others beside the man it was written for.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The parable of the prodigal son shows the true nature of repentance, and the Lord's readiness to welcome and forgive all who repent and come to him. It tells of God's grace toward the unrepented and encourages them to return to God. The great folly of many sinners is that they put their faith in material things to save them. We need to examine our own lives and discern if some features of our own character are reflected in this parable.