The hymn, "Near to the Heart of God," was written in 1901 by a 23 year old grieving pastor. He sang it for the first time standing next to quarantine signs outside his brother's home where diphtheria had claimed the lives of his two nieces. Cleland B. McAfee later served on the faculty at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and directed the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, but is best remembered for writing this simple, yet profound message of hope and trust. Over a hundred years later, this great hymn still reminds us that no matter what we are facing in our lives today, we too can find this place of quiet rest, "Near to the Heart of God."


There is a place of quiet rest,
  Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
  Near to the heart of God.

    O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
      Sent from the heart of God,
    Hold us, who wait before Thee,
        Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
  Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Savior meet,
  Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release,
  Near to the heart of God,
A place where all is joy and peace,
  Near to the heart of God.

- Cleland B. McAfee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfZH07mWKKc