Elizabeth Payson Prentiss (1818-1878) was the fifth child of Congregationalist minister, Edward Payson. She began writing stories and poems, and contributed her works to “The youth’s companion”, a New England religious periodical. In 1838 she opened a small girls’ school in her home and took up a Sabbath-school class as well. Two years later, she moved to Richmond, VA, to be a department head at a girls’ boarding school. After a happy period in life, by 1852 she had lost two of her three children, one as a newborn, one at age four. However, she went on to have three more healthy children, despite her poor health. In 1856 she penned her hymn lyrics after she nearly lost her daughter, Minnie, to an illness. I hope after your trials in life, you can still say with Elizabeth “More Love to Thee, O Christ!”. Enjoy!
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, come grief or 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!”
Hymn of the Day 
Oh wow. Do you read Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening?
I came across Dr. Payson yesterday from yesterday’s evening and did a bit of reading then came across his daughter and particularly this hymn.
It’s interesting that it’s the Hymn of the Day.
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no I didn’t read it this morning! This must just be God’s providence 🙂
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