Author & Composer

Cleland B. McAfee

1866–1944 · Ashley, Missouri · United States

A Presbyterian minister and theologian, McAfee wrote Near to the Heart of God, words and tune, after two of his young nieces died of diphtheria within days of each other. He taught at Park College, which his father founded, before pastoring churches in Chicago and Brooklyn. His daughter Mildred became the first director of the Navy WAVES.

Text

1

Tune

1

Lived

1866–1944

Hymnals

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