The Sweet Songster (Old Regular Baptist hymnal, publ.1854 by Billups), has the prodigal son story with the first line (usually used as title) being, "Afflictions Though They Seem Severe." It is credited to Newton:

AFFLICTIONS THOUGH THEY SEEM SEVERE
(Newton)

Afflictions though they seem severed
In mercy oft are sent.
They stopp'd the prodigal's career,
And caus'd him to repent.
Altho'he no relenting felt,
Till he had spent his store,
His stubborn heart began to melt,
When famine pinch'd him sore.

What have I gain'd by sin, he said,
But hunger, shame and fear;
My father's house abounds with bread,
While I am starving here.
I'll go and tell him all I've done,
And fall before his face-
Unworthy to be call'd a son,
I'll seek a servant's place.

His father saw him coming home
He saw, and ran, and smiled,
And threw him arms about the neck
Of his rebellious child.
Father, I've sinned, but O! forgive!
Enough, his father said;
Rejoice, my house, my son's alive
For whom I mourn'd as dead:-

Now let the fatted calf be slain,
And spread the news around,
My son was dead, but lives again,
Was lost, but now is found!
'Tis thus the Lord his love reveals
To call poor sinners home,
More than a father's love He feels,
And welcomes all that come.

The tune is major-key, it's pace is slow, story-telling style, heavily decorated. But speeded up, with a slightly different emphasis on the words, it is similar to our family tune to the ballad, "Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender." Fuel to the fire for the argument that went on as far back as I can remember, "Which came first, the hymn tunes or the ballit tunes?" Jean