THE HAVEN OF REST

          Henry Lake Gilmour went to sea at the age of 16 to learn navigation. When the ship reached Philadelphia, he decided to seek his fortune in America. He became a house painter, and served during the Civil War with the 1st New Jersey Cavalry. During a battle, he was captured, and spent months in a Confederate prison. After the war, Gilmour trained as a dentist, an occupation he had for many years.   In 1869 he moved to Wenonah, New Jersey, where a Methodist church was organized with a first meeting in his home. He served the church for years as a Sunday School superintendent and choir director. However, Gilmour is best remembered as a gospel musician.  He was in great demand as a song leader in the camp meetings of the day. For four decades, he directed the choir at the Pitman Grove Camp Meeting, and worked at camp meetings and revivals in Maryland, and in Pennsylvania. In addition, he was a frequent visitor to the Ocean Grove Camp in New Jersey, and through these activities gained personal acquaintance with many writers and composers of gospel hymns. Gilmour himself wrote many gospel songs and published more than 16 song compilations.  The most familiar song of Henry Gilmour's today is The Haven of Rest. In it he pictures the sinner seeking a safe harbor, and he presents the Lord Jesus Himself as that harbor.   "The Haven of Rest" was likely produced in 1889. The tune (Haven of Rest) was composed by George D. Moore. Though it cannot be verified, since Henry had spent weeks on the open sea, and the campground was on the ocean, the nautical metaphor makes sense.  In the first verse of this hymn Gilmour pictures the soul as being in exile on life's sea.  Many people we know are in that condition today, burdened and distressed with the load of sin, needing the safe haven.  And so were we until we yielded to Jesus and entered the haven.  In the second verse the soul is pictured as yielding to the Lord.  The third verse shows the yielded soul giving praise to the Lord, as we who are saved should be doing today.   In the fourth verse the soul is at rest and secure with the Lord while in the fifth we see the resting soul calling to others.  If your soul has never entered the haven of rest, now is the time to do so.  The Savior patiently waits and will save by His power divine.  "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."  Hebrews 6:19. "I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest," I'll sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep. In Jesus I'm safe evermore." 

1     My soul in sad exile was out on life's sea,

So burdened with sin and distressed,

Till I heard a sweet voice, saying, "Make Me your choice";

And I entered the "Haven of Rest"!

I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep,

In Jesus I'm safe evermore. 

2     I yielded myself to His tender embrace,

In faith taking hold of the Word,

My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul;

The "Haven of Rest" is my Lord. 

I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep,

In Jesus I'm safe evermore. 

3     The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole,

Has been the old story so blest,

Of Jesus, who'll save whosoever will have

A home in the "Haven of Rest." 

I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep,

In Jesus I'm safe evermore. 

4     How precious the thought that we all may recline,

Like John, the beloved so blest,

On Jesus' strong arm, where no tempest can harm,

Secure in the "Haven of Rest." 

I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep,

In Jesus I'm safe evermore. 

5     Oh, come to the Savior, He patiently waits

To save by His power divine;

Come, anchor your soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

And say, "My Beloved is mine." 

I've anchored my soul in the "Haven of Rest,"

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep,

In Jesus I'm safe evermore. 

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN