• Strangers and Pilgrims,  Joseph Swain

Pilgrims We Are, To Canaan Bound

Psalm 34:19: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”

Hebrews 11:13-16: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

Joseph Swain (1761-1796) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher and hymn-writer. In 1792, he was appointed pastor of the Baptist church meeting on East Street, Walworth, a position he held until his death.