GOSPEL >> Consecration
SDAH 301
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art;
Fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast,
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest,
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For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: Nearer, Still Nearer
Leila Naylor Morris, a prolific Methodist hymn writer, penned both the words and music of this heartfelt hymn in 1898, reflecting her personal longing for deeper communion with Christ. Drawn from John 6:44, the hymn expresses the soul’s desire to be ever closer to the Savior, forsaking all for His presence. Morris, who composed over 1,000 hymns despite losing her sight later in life, dictated her works with the help of her daughter, fueled by unwavering faith. The tender melody, also her own creation, mirrors the humble yet earnest plea of the lyrics. As we sing, may we echo this prayer for closeness, remembering that our spiritual journey is not about striving, but about surrendering to the One who draws us to Himself.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
From start to finish, we must draw nearer to Jesus. Beholding Him, we may overcome covetousness at every step in life because our goal is to follow where He leads, to be nearer to our Lord Who was crucified for our sinful, covetous heart. (Lesson 9, 1st Quarter 2023, Managing for the Master – Thursday, “Overcoming Covetousness” 3/2/23)
Both words and music of this hymn were written by Leila Naylor Morris. It came from her own personal experience with Christ and speaks of the compulsive drawing power of His love: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).
Leila Naylor was born in Pennsville, Ohio, on April 15, 1862, and was converted at the age of 10 years. The family moved to Malta, but her father died, and she with her mother and sister moved to McConnelsville, Ohio, and opened a millinery shop there. She married C. H. Morris and was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and in holiness camp meetings. She had both poetic and musical talent and, encouraged by H. L. Gilmour (see SDAH 368), wrote hymns, eventually totaling more than 1,000. She became blind in middle age but still continued her creative work, dictating her compositions to her daughter. This hymn first appeared in Pentecostal Praise, 1898. Leila Morris died at Auburn, Ohio, on July 23, 1929.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art;
Fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast,
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest,
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.
2
Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Nought as an offering to Jesus my King-
Only my sinful now contrite heart,
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart,
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.
3
Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine;
Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified,
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.
4
Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last;
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages, ever to be,
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee,
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee.
Hymn Info
Biblical Information
(a) Jhn 6:44; 1 Pet 2:4 (b) Ps 51:17; 1 John 1:9
Author
Mrs. C.H. Morris (1862-1929)
Hymn Tune
MORRIS
Metrical Number
9.10.9.10.10.
Composer
Mrs. C.H. Morris
