I was happy to stumble across this hymn by Elizabeth Prentiss today. I had never even heard of it before. I find it quite unique in that we are singing to one another an invitation from Christ to draw near to Him. So often our songs reflect our desire for Him to draw near to us (Prentiss herself wrote, "More Love to Thee"), but in this hymn, it is Christ speaking to us to draw near to Him. Press closer!
Lovely words to meditate on at the end of lovely Lord's Day.
CLOSER TO ME
Press close, my child, to Me;
Closer to Me.
Earth hath no resting-place
Ready for thee;
Straight to my bosom flee;
Press close, my child, to Me,
Closer, closer, closer to Me.
Love, pleasure, riches, fame,
All may be thine,
And thy immortal soul
Still will repine;
I must be all to thee:
Press close, my child, to Me,
Closer, closer, closer to Me.
Life may for thee contend,
Hard toil and care
Strive to divide from Me,
Crowd everywhere;
Let them my servants be;
Press thou, my child, to Me,
Closer, closer, closer to Me.
Grief of thy heart may make
A desert drear.
Yet there my sufferers learn
My voice to hear;
Calling, with earnest plea,
Press close, my child, to Me ,
Closer, closer, closer to Me.
Come, then, my child, to Me,
Make thyself mine;
I give Myself to thee,
I will be thine;
Joy, grief, and care shall be
Ties binding thee to Me,
Closer, closer, closer to Me.
