A Closer Touch

They gathered with Jesus, the people of old

Author: Eliza E. Hewitt
Tune: [They gathered with Jesus, the people of old]
Published in 1 hymnal

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 They gathered with Jesus, the people of old,
The sick and afflicted, the timid, the bold;
The hem of His garment so eager to clutch,
I come, Lord, with them for a closer touch.

Refrain:
A closer touch, a closer touch,
O Lord be it mine, I pray;
The Holy Ghost pow’r I need every hour,
I come for a touch today.

2 He welcomed the lowly with love’s wining charms,
The dear little children He took in His arms;
The Master is forming His kingdom of such;
I’m coming with them for a closer touch. [Refrain]

3 Mine eyes need His healing, to see His blest face,
My feet to be sped on His errands of grace;
O, wonderful blessing, I need it so much!
I’m coming again for a closer touch. [Refrain]

4 O, still will the fountain of love overflow;
His Spirit will lead me as onward I go;
I long for the sound of His sweet “Inasmuch,”
I’m coming today for a closer touch. [Refrain]

Source: Hymns of the Kingdom: for use in religious meetings #17

Author: Eliza E. Hewitt

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 >

Text Information

First Line: They gathered with Jesus, the people of old
Title: A Closer Touch
Author: Eliza E. Hewitt
Language: English
Refrain First Line: A closer touch, a closer touch
Copyright: Public Domain

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Hymns of the Kingdom #17

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