Onward, Christian, Though the Region

Onward, Christian, though the region
Where thou art be drear and lone;
God has set a guardian legion
Very near thee; press thou on.

By the thorn road, and none other,
Is the mount of vision won;
Tread it without shrinking, brother,
Jesus trod it; press thou on.

Be this world the wiser, stronger,
For thy life of pain and peace;
While it needs thee, oh, no longer
Pray thou for thy quick release.

Pray thou, Christian, daily rather
That thou be a faithful son,
By the prayer of Jesus, “Father
Not my will, but Thine, be done.”

Author: Samuel Johnson

Year: 1864

This hymn text (sometimes titled "Onward, Christian, Though the Region") was written by the American Unitarian clergyman and hymn-writer Samuel Johnson (1822–1882). It first appeared in his collection "Hymns of the Spirit" (co-edited with Samuel Longfellow) in 1864. No widely accepted alternate attributions exist.