Sarah Flower Adams
1805-1848 19th century
The longing to draw near, using what hurts as a step.
Who was Sarah Flower Adams?
Daughter of a radical journalist imprisoned for his articles, she wanted to be an actress, played Lady Macbeth at Richmond, then her health stopped her. She belonged to a Unitarian congregation in London and wrote hymns for its collection. She nursed her sister Eliza, a composer, through tuberculosis, and followed her the year after. The hymn she wrote at thirty-six went round the world without her name on it.
In their own words
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee; e'en though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to Thee.
He sendeth sun, he sendeth shower, alike they're needful for the flower.