MORE LOVE TO THEE
a Hymn Story from
Lucy Neeley Adams
Please re-welcome Lucy Neeley Adams ... one of my favorite people whom I've never met but still consider a good friend. Lucy researches into the background stories of old, beloved hymns and writes them up into articles for local newspapers in towns where she's lived.
She has also compiled 52 of these wonderful hymn stories into a little book called 52 Hymn Story Devotions. Lucy has graciously shared many of these--and others not in the book--with me for you to enjoy--over the past years since I've been blogging. If memory serves, that's about 12 years now
So without more jabbering from me, here's Lucy!
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| Stepping Heavenward |
A little faded green book with ragged edges has a prominent place on my bookshelf. STEPPING HEAVENWARD was published in 1899 and it sold thousands of copies.
The reason it is so special to me is that it was a gift to my father when he was young. He wrote his name on the inside cover in pencil: Wadsworth Neeley, 1909, Lexington, S.C. Long ago, when I was going through some treasures of the past at our home, he told me why it was special. The book had belonged to his mother, who gave it to him before she died.
The author, Elizabeth P Prentiss was born in Portland, Maine, on October 26, 1818. To study her life is to identify with regular day to day routines. Her loving family relationships were filled with joys and sorrows that expressed her growing Christian faith.
Elizabeth was described as a "very bright-eyed little woman with a keen sense of humor, who cared more to shine in her own happy household than in a wide circle of society."
One of the many ways she expressed her faith was in poetry. She often drew on Scripture as the basis for the words of her writings.
Her poem More Love to Thee is based on Philippians 1:9: "And this I pray, that your love may overflow more and more in knowledge and full insight." Therefore the first verse of Elizabeth Prentiss' poem is: "
More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee. Hear now the prayer I make, on bended knee."
She showed it to no one when it was finished for fear that it was too simple and not very important. But when her husband, Rev. George Prentiss found it years later, he arranged for it to be published as a leaflet. It was used very often in the church where he was pastor.
Soon it was discovered by a famous composer of the day, William H. Doane. He wrote the music and included it in his hymnal SONGS OF DEVOTION. We are thankful that it continues to be a cherished part of most hymnals.
The beautiful melody of "More Love to Thee" makes this a heartfelt hymn of worship. And as we sing, we are also called to a deeper commitment to our Lord.
Lucy N. Adams
Thank you so much Lucy for sharing this Hymn Story. Love in Him ....
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