1 Following close to Jesus, following near his side;
Over the hills and valleys faithfully he will guide;
Following on to know him, proving his wondrous grace,
Kept by his tender mercy safe in his kind embrace.
Refrain:
Following on, on, on, following on;
Following close to Jesus, wonderful Friend and Guide;
Following on, on, on, following on,
Till in his presence joyfully we abide.
2 Following close to Jesus, this is the surest way;
Those who afar shall linger, stumble and lose their way;
Beautiful steps he’ll show us, loving and true and kind;
Gratefully let us find them, footprints he left behind. [Refrain]
3 Following close to Jesus, wholly to be his own;
Cheerily pressing onward, trusting in him alone;
Peacefully kept in danger, sorrow and pain and care;
Jesus the foe will conquer, Jesus the load will bear. [Refrain]
Source: Sunday School Voices: a collection of sacred songs #148
Pseudonym: Lidie H. Edmunds.
Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born in Philadelphia 28 June 1851. She was educated in the public schools and after graduation from high school became a teacher. However, she developed a spinal malady which cut short her career and made her a shut-in for many years. During her convalescence, she studied English literature. She felt a need to be useful to her church and began writing poems for the primary department. she went on to teach Sunday school, take an active part in the Philadelphia Elementary Union and become Superintendent of the primary department of Calvin Presbyterian Church.
Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (… Go to person page >
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