Nearer, Still Nearer -- Lelia Naylor Morris

Lelia Naylor Morris wanted more of Him, a reader of her words might readily conclude. Was she voicing something that she knew was still far off, but yet expected to become more tangible as her life progressed when she sat down and penned the words to “Nearer, Still Nearer” as the close of the 19^th Century approached? Or, was she particularly motivated at that point to reach out with her heart, indicating a longing for relief from something in her life?  Maybe she’d say ‘yes’ to both of those questions if she were here for us to ask. Was there light or darkness in her future, with this nearness to accompany her as the light dimmed (as the moonlight might, on many nights)?

 

Lelia had plenty in her background and foreground to draw upon for the words to “Nearer…” that year of 1898.  She was a 36-year old native and apparently lifelong resident of Ohio who’d been writing hymns for relatively few years, but she’d believed in and committed herself to the Savior for over 20 years at that point. And, she’d played the organ at the church since age 12, so, the music and words were within her. And, she likely was moved by the churches (Methodist and Methodist-Episcopal) in which she and her husband Charles were members. She was active in various ways as an adult, including in the choir and at camp meetings, from which it is said she often drew inspiration for her hymn poetry. Lelia’s hymn-writing career’s beginning apparently coincided with a re-commitment to God she made one summer as a 30-year old at a camp.  As a writer, she reportedly kept a paper and pencil close by so that she could note something if she felt moved by an incident within eye- or earshot. Whether there was a specific incident that spurred her to write in 1898 is not recorded, but there need not be one to appreciate the value of her words. She must have been a humble and penitent believer that day, as her words reveal a woman who brought nothing to offer Him except her devotion.

With a humble spirit, Lelia Morris composed perhaps as many as 1,500 hymns over her life, including some after her sight failed her while she was still in her early 50’s.  She must have been an inspiration to those around her, because they helped this woman, though blind, in her quest to continue writing songs. These included her son, who built his mother an immense blackboard to assist her before she was completely blind. Her daughter, a missionary in China, later helped Lelia write out some songs after sight completely left her. They and others who knew her must have sensed that “Nearer…” was genuine for its composer, as she persevered even when her body failed. Perhaps her prayer for God’s closeness when she was 36 was just what prepared her for what lay ahead, some 18 years hence as her vision disappeared. What’s ahead? I don’t know, and neither did Lelia. She just knew who she could count on being there.       

  

The following websites have some information on the song and its composer: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/m/o/r/r/morris_ln.htm

http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/n/e/a/nearersn.htm
 

See more information on the song discussed above in The Complete Book of Hymns – Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs by William J. Petersen and Ardythe Petersen, Tyndale House Publishers, 2006.  Also, see Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, 1990.

See biography of composer here, via a fellow blogger! : http://www.appalachianhistory.net/2011/07/she-wrote-1500-hymns.html