A week has passed since the unthinkable occured at Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, just east of San Antonio, Texas. This morning, during worship at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, I played and sang Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross, which is a beautiful old Baptist hymn. The survivors of the massacre were lifted up in prayer. Here is a video I recorded this afternoon. The lyrics are included below.
Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross
Jesus, keep me near the cross;
There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
’til my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
’til my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
’til my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
’til I reach the golden strand
Just beyond the river.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
’til my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915
Music: William H. Doane, 1832-1915
