Understanding "More Love to Thee, O Christ"
Elizabeth Payson Prentiss’ Hymn is a Reminder to Love the Savior
May 18, 2009
From death and despair to an overwhelming affirmation of her love for Christ, the story of Elizabeth Payson Prentiss’ hymn, More Love to Thee, O Christ, is a reminder to Christians to draw near to their Savior in love.
The History Behind the Hymn
Elizabeth Payson Prentiss came from a family steeped in faith. Her father, Edward Payson, was a famous and beloved Congregational minister. Her husband was a Presbyterian minister and seminary professor.
Elizabeth struggled with insomnia and severe headaches for her entire life. After the loss of two children in short succession, Elizabeth’s frail health was nearly broken and she cried out in her distress “Our home is broken up, our lives wrecked, our hopes shattered, our dreams dissolved, I don’t think I can stand living for another moment.” (Peterson, William J. and Ardythe. The Complete Book of Hymns: Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 2006. page: 348)
It was during this time of tremendous emotional suffering that Elizabeth wrote the lyrics that eventually became the hymn, More Love to Thee, O Christ. The words that Elizabeth wrote joyously proclaim the Christian’s desire to love their Savior more everyday. However, Elizabeth did not finish her poem.
Thirteen years later, she found the unfinished poem. She would have left it unfinished but for her husband’s encouragement. Her husband printed several copies, one of which found its way to William Howard Doane, a musician in Cincinnati. He set the words to music and published the hymn in his Songs of Devotion.
The Constant Cry of the Soul
Elizabeth once said that “To love Christ more, is the deepest need, the constant cry of my soul…Out in the woods and on my bed and out driving, when I am happy and busy, and when I am sad and idle, the whisper keeps going up for more love, more love, more love!” (Morgan, Robert J. Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories. Thomas Nelson Publishers. 2003. page: 133)
Elizabeth’s statement raises the question. How does a believer show love to a Savior that isn’t physically present?
Christ’s Command to Love One Another
In John 15:12 (KJV), Christ commands believers by saying “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
A Powerful Impulse Found in the Hymn
In Mark 12:30-31 (KJV) Jesus gives his followers his two greatest commandments “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells believers how they can show love to him when he talks of about the judgment day. He tells that those who are invited to heaven will hear the King say to those on His righ “'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'
"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' Matthew 25:34-40 (The Message)
Clearly, showing love to Jesus means that the Christian must spread that love to all mankind. For those who sing the hymn, More Love to Thee, O Christ, with the desire to truly show their love to Christ, the impulse for charity will arise. To love Christ is to love your neighbor.
