“More Love to Thee”

I love this beautiful hymn by Elizabeth Payson Prentiss (listen to it here; read a bit about Elizabeth Prentiss here). Nowadays, I rarely hear it sung (in fact, I never hear it anymore, unless I’m the one playing it). Christians ought to start singing it again; it would do us good.

Read and ponder these lyrics by Mrs. Prentiss and ask yourself this question: Can I sing the second and third verses, and really mean it?

More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee;
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!

Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best;
This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!

Let sorrow do its work, send grief and pain;
Sweet are Thy messengers, sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me: More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!

Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry my heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!

—Elizabeth Prentiss (1818-1878), 1856