Refining Fire

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I sought the gracious mercy seat

Author: Henry J. Zelley
Tune: [I sought the gracous mercy seat]
Published in 2 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 I sought the gracious mercy-seat,
And bowed in humblest worship there;
I laid my all at Jesus’ feet,
And offered up this earnest pray’r:
“Refining fire, go through my heart,
Illuminate my soul;
Scatter Thy life through every part,
And sanctify the whole.”

2 I read that by the altar true,
The humble gifts are sanctified;
I freely gave up all I knew,
Then looked to heav’n and boldly cried:
“Refining fire, go through my heart,
Illuminate my soul;
Scatter Thy life through every part,
And sanctify the whole.”

3 I heard the voice of Christ, my Lord,
“Look unto Me, be not afraid:”
I claimed the promise of His word,
With humble confidence I prayed:
“Refining fire, go through my heart,
Illuminate my soul;
Scatter Thy life through every part,
And sanctify the whole.”

4 My cry was heard, and from the throne
The fire came down and purged me there;
I sing, since I am His alone,
A song of praise instead of pray’r.
“Refining fire, goes through my heart,
Illuminates my soul;
Scatters His life through every part,
And sanctifies the whole.”

Source: Hymns of the Kingdom: for use in religious meetings #134

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Author: Henry J. Zelley

Henry Jeffreys Zelley was born at Mt. Holly, NJ, on Mar. 15, 1859. Educated in the Mt. Holly public schools, at Pennington Seminary, and at Taylor University, where he earned his M. A., Ph. D., and D. D. degrees, he became a Methodist minister in 1882 and first served in the New Jersey Conference as a statistical secretary, treasurer, and trustee, becoming a promoter of the campmeeting movement. Noted for his evangelistic fervor, Zelley produced over 1500 poems, hymns, and gospel songs. One of his songs, "He Brought Me Out" with music by Henry L. Gilmour, appears in several denominational hymnals. Cyberhymnal also lists "When Israel Out of Bondage Came" or "He Rolled the Sea Away" with music by Gilmour too. Another of Zelley’s so… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	I sought the gracious mercy seat
Title:	Refining Fire
Author:	Henry J. Zelley
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Refining fire, go through my heart
Publication Date:	1905
Copyright:	Public Domain