Leila Naylor Morris - A Silent Labourer

Join this HeartCry Prayer- Every Wednesday 11.30am-2.30pm (UK time)

BORN- April 15, 1862 in Ohio, USA, DIED- July 23, 1929 in her daughter’s home in New York.

Nothing much was known about this woman who silently laboured in God’s vineyard to author well over 1,000 gospel songs and hymns, both writing the songs and arranging the music. She simply wrote her name as MRS CHARLES HENRY MORRIS. She did not even insert her first names, she simply identified herself with her husband’s initials.

Even after suffering poor eyesight in her fifties and eventual blindness, this silent labourer continue to write and compose hymns until her death at the age of 67.

She lived with her daughter until her death, which suggests to me that this lady did not make any personal profits from her much labour in God’s Kingdom. She was a labourer who denied, disowned herself and that the world could see JESUS in her!

1. Do we live so close to the Lord today,

Passing to and fro on life’s busy way,

That the world in us can a likeness see
To the Man of Calvary?
Chorus:
Can the world see Jesus in me?
Can the world see Jesus in you?
Does your love to Him ring true,
and your life and service, too?
Can the world see Jesus in you?

2. Do we love, with love to His own akin,

All His creatures lost in the mire of sin?

Will we reach a hand, whatsoe’er it cost,
To reclaim a sinner lost?

[Chorus]
3. As an open book they our lives will read,

To our words and acts giving daily heed;

Will they be attracted, or turn away
From the Christ we love today? 

[Chorus]
MRS C H MORRIS

PRAYERS:

• Rom 8:29 – Dear Lord, You have predestined me to be molded into the image of Your Son Jesus Christ, let His life be evident in me.
• Phil 2:5-11 – Let the characteristics of His life be my daily experience:

• Dear Lord, please strengthen me to follow Your example in humility, let my attitude be patterned after Yours.
• You stripped Yourself of all Your heavenly glory and privileges, leaving the comfort and glory of Your realm to come to this world, assuming the guise of a servant. Lord, accomplish the same emptying in me please.
• As if coming to this very low realm was not degrading enough, You even abased Yourself the more, to the extent of a painful, shameful death, all in obedience to the Father’s wish. Lord, please rid my life, empty me of all accolades, achievements, etc, that are usurping Your complete ownership and control of my life.
• Your simple command is “DENY YOURSELF, TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME DAILY.” To this instruction Lord, I pledge my allegiance, so help me Lord!!

Join this HeartCry Prayer- Every Wednesday 11.30am-2.30pm (UK time)