LIVING NEAR TO GOD

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 16, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 23.

LIVING NEAR TO GOD.

THERE is an old hymn, coined in the mint of a soul often distressed to the point of hopeless despondency, and once sung oftener than it is now in our social meetings and in our great congregations, which begins:—

"Oh! for a closer walk with God!"

And has for one of its searching stanzas:—

"The dearest idol I have known, Whate'er that idol be, Help me to tear it from thy throne, And worship only thee."

The later and more familiar hymn in which we voice the same cry is:—

"Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee! E'en though it be a cross That raiseth me! Still all my song shall be Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee!"

It would be interesting to analyze these hymns in connection with the story of the writers, and see from what standpoint of differing experiences they came into the expression of a common desire. For at heart these hymns are not two but one. They utter one longing. They are the records of an identical desire to come into a deeper and more abiding intimacy with God; and they show a willingness—both of them alike—to pay whatever price may be necessary to secure this intimacy: "The dearest idol I have known"—"E'en though it be a cross." It is a desire to be cultivated and cherished—this of living near to God. There is comfort and strength and joy in it, Sorrows, calamities, losses, defeats, the hard stress and pressure of the world, never seem so sore when the soul has sure hiding in God, and there is the compensation of his blessed fellowship.—Selected.