Menu

cleland mcafee

Near to the Heart of God

Words: Cleland Boyd McAfee (b. Sept. 25, 1866; d. Feb. 4, 1944)
Music: McAfee, by Cleland Boyd McAfee

Note: I have seen another story behind this hymn in several books, one that differs in some details from what I have below. It has Cleland McAfee serving as a pastor in Chicago at the time of the tragedy, and writing the hymn so he could sing it as a solo at the funeral service. However, the following information comes largely from a book written by McAfee’s daughter Katharine (a book entitled Near to the Heart of God).

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

Mrs. Parker (McAfee’s married daughter) served on the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the National Council of Presbyterian Women. She authored a number of books. The one using the hymn’s title contains a sketch of Dr. McAfee’s active life, and other examples of his writing, as well as the background of the hymn. I have confidence that Katharine Parker would get the story right, especially given that many from her extended family were actively involved in events at the time, and would surely have shared their perspective with her.

Park College (now the esteemed Park University) was established in Parkville, Missouri, a city a few miles from Kansas City. It began as a Presbyterian school, but has since severed that connection. The founder and first President was John Armstrong McAfee. His five sons and his daughter were eventually all involved in the work of the college.

When the father died in 1890, his son Lowell became president, serving in that capacity until 1913. His brother Cleland was the college chaplain and music director during that period. The two roles of the latter man intersected in the church services of Park College, when Cleland McAfee commonly preached, and led the choir. It was his custom to write some music for the choir on each Communion Sunday, something that would also tie in with the theme of his sermon.

This was the state of things when the present hymn was written in 1901. But it was a double tragedy that provided its touching inspiration. The two daughters of Howard, another of the brothers, were critically ill with diphtheria. During the week before Communion Sunday, the two girls died within twenty-four hours of one another. Understandably, many on the campus and in the town were grief-stricken.

Cleland McAfee sat up long and late, pondering what he could preach on the following Sunday, and what kind of music he could compose to bring comfort to his family and the congregation. This lovely little hymn was the outcome of his meditation. The choir learned it at their regular Saturday evening practice. Then, they all went to the quarantined home of the Howard McAfee family, and sang the hymn beneath the darkened windows. It was shared with the congregation at the Communion Service, the next day.

In prophecy, the Lord is pictured as the Shepherd of His people who will “gather the lambs [the weak and vulnerable] with His arm, and carry them in His bosom,” near to His loving heart (Isa. 40:10-11). In the Gospels we read of the Lord Jesus’ tender affection for little children. “He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them” (Mk. 10:15-16).

Though we do not currently have the physical presence of the Lord with us, such images may come to mind when we read the text of this hymn. Or perhaps we’ll think of John reclining to the right of Jesus in the Upper Room, leaning on His bosom (Jn. 13:23). That, in fact, may have been part of Dr. McAfee’s inspiration, since it was the time of the institution of the Lord’s Supper, and this fitted the service that coming Sunday in 1901.

All these passages remind us of the blessing of intimate fellowship with the Lord, where we, as believers, “will find rest for [our] souls” (Matt. 11:28-29). Close to the Lord, at times when our hearts are burdened, we find: “quiet rest,” and protection from sin’s allures (1); “comfort sweet,” and fellowship with the Saviour (2); “full release” (the freedom to share our burdens and our hurts, without fear of condemnation); as well as “joy and peace” (3).

(1) 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.

(3) 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.

Questions:

  1. Can you think of a situation in which you found this kind of special blessing and encouragement in fellowship with the Lord?
  2. What lessons have you learned in these special moments that have guided you through difficult other times?

The singing of our traditional hymns and gospel songs has declined in some churches, but this treasure deserves to be preserved. If you’re looking for ways to promote hymn singing in your church and community, take a look at the article 77 Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing.

Links:

Today in 1827 – Emma Bevan Born

,

Emma Frances Shuttleworth was the daughter of Philip Shuttleworth, warden of New College, Oxford, and later bishop of Chichester. In 1856 she married Robert Cooper Lee Bevan, a banker. She published several books of hymns translated from German.

The most familiar of these songs is Christ Receiveth Sinful Men, written by Erdmann Neumeister in 1718. He wrote it to accompany a sermon on Lk. 15:2, “The Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man [Christ] receives sinners and eats with them.’” Coupled with James McGranahan’s tune, it has the feel of a nineteenth century gospel song, and some might be surprised that it is over 300 years old!

Sinners Jesus will receive;
Sound this word of grace to all
Who the heavenly pathway leave,
All who linger, all who fall.

Sing it o’er and o’er again;
Christ receiveth sinful men;
Make the message clear and plain:
Christ receiveth sinful men.

Now my heart condemns me not,
Pure before the law I stand;
He who cleansed me from all spot,
Satisfied its last demand.

(2) Today in 1866 – Cleland McAfee Born

Cleland Boyd McAfee is known for one hymn only (my mother’s favourite hymn). Most of his ministry led him in other directions. McAfee taught on the faculty of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, directed the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, and served as moderator of the Presbyterian Church of America. At the time of writing his hymn, he was the chairman of the Christian Philosophy department, college chaplain, and choir director, at Park College, Parkville, Missouri, a position he held for almost 20 years.

Mr. McAfee wrote the hymn Near to the Heart of God in 1903, after two daughters of his brother Howard died of diphtheria within 24 hours of each other. The choir of Park College went to Howard McAfee’s quarantined house and sang it outside the window to encourage the grieving family.

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 Saviour meet,
Near to the heart of God.

(3) Today in 1918 – William Pitts Died

Though the song that made William Savage Pitts famous is little more than a sentimental ballad, there is a fascinating story behind it. It was written before the existence of the church it describes–a visionary lyric that even includes the colour of the paint that would one day be used! Dr. Pitts says,

One bright afternoon of a day in June, 1857, I first set foot in old Bradford, Iowa, coming by stage from McGregor. My home was in Wisconsin. The place where the little brown church now stands was a setting of rare beauty. There was no church then but the spot was there, waiting for it. When back in my home, I wrote the song The Little Brown Church in the Vale [or The Church in the Wildwood]. Then, I put the manuscript away.

In the years of 1859 and 1860, the good people of Bradford were determined to build a church [pictured here]. By the early winter of 1864 the building was ready for dedication. While I was holding a singing school [nearby], the class went one evening to the church. I had brought with me from Wisconsin my manuscript of the song. It had never been sung before by anyone but myself. I sang it there.

It gained speedy recognition locally, and with the years won its way into the hearts of the people of the world. Soon after its publication the church at Bradford, which had been painted brown (for want of money to buy better paint, some say), became known as ‘The Little Brown Church in the Vale.’ My hope is that it will stand for a thousand years.

The doctor’s wish seemed in jeopardy during the late 1800s. The community served by the church began to decline when the railroad was routed to a nearby town. Services were discontinued and the building abandoned. Then, in 1900 an organization was created to keep the church in repair as a historic site. In 1914, regular services commenced once more, and in 1934 a full-time pastor was called. Because of the song, it has become a tourist attraction, and a favourite site for weddings. At one point, well over a hundred weddings a month were being conducted in the little brown church!

There’s a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.

From the church in the valley by the wildwood,
When day fades away into night,
I would fain from this spot of my childhood
Wing my way to the mansions of light.

The Carter Family, that sang and recorded their own unique brand of mountain gospel music in the 1920s and 30s, was influential in the later development of the bluegrass, country, and southern gospel genres. The next generation continued to have an impact when June Carter married Johnny Cash and the pair became widely known through recordings, as well as television and concert appearances. Here from 1932 is the original Carter Family singing Dr. Pitts’ song.