Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-07-25
MRS. G.. III. NORRIS, WIDELY
KNOWN HYMN WRITER, DIES

Malta received telegram announc-
ing the death of her sister Mrs. c..
HI. Morris, which occurred Tuesday
morning at the home of her daugh-
ter Mrs. Fannie Lunk at Auburn, N.
Y, where she and her husband had
made their home since last Novem-
Der. Death was due to paralysis.
After going to Auburn Mrs. Morris
suffered two light strokes, and two
weeks ago, July IL, she suffered a
very severe stroke which rendered
her helpless, and unconscious, and
from that time her condition grew
worse until the end, which came
calmly and apparently without pain.
Leila Naylor Morris was a daugh-
ter of the late John T. l.. and Olev1a
L. Coulson Naylor, and was born at
Pennsville, Morgan county, Ohio.
In April last she was 67 years OF
age. When she was about four
years of age the family moved to
Malta, where the deceased received
her schooling. Following her mar
riage to Charles H. Morris she re-
sided at this place, their home be-
ing on Kennebec hill, until Novem-
their home with their son-in-law and
daughter, Mr.. and Mrs. w. r. Lunk,
at Auburn, N Y. Besides her hus-
band, Mrs. Morris is survived by
two aughters-Fannie, wife OF
William Lunk, of Auburn, N. Y,
and Mary, wife of Rev. Frank t.
Cartwright, of New York City; and
one son, Fred N. Morris of Marietta.
One son, William Morris, died Feb
5, 1920. Besides those mentioned,
six grandchildren also survive, and
following brother and sisters: Prof.
Jos. Naylor who resides at Green
castle, Ind; Nettie, wife of S. L..
Vest. and Fan j., wife of P. R. Hal
loway, both of Ottumwa, Ia, and
Villa, wife of DR.. J. B. Naylor, Nal
ia. Charles Naylor, brother, and
Mrs. Cora Robinson, a sister, and
Mrs. Birdie Walker Rarmon, half
sister, are deceased.
Mrs. c. H. Morris was perhaps
Morgan county's most noted citizen.
She was one of the worlds most ia
nous hymn writer's. In all she had
written close to 1900 hymns, and
they are sung around the world A
number of them have been translat-
ed into. many different languages.
Mrs. Morris not only composed the
words, but the music as well.
Among the most noted of her
hymns are: Nearer, Still Nearer,
Sweeter AS the Years Go By; Let
Jesus Come Into Your Heart;
Wounded BY Our Transgressions;
Sweet Will OF God; The Fight Is
On, and We Will Talk 1t Over To-
she drafted was 81 Can't Tell 1t
ALL" Mrs. Morris was then 80 years
of age. Her first hymn for publica-
tion was Refining Fire
Those who have known and been
associated with Mrs. Morris know
that she wrote from inspiration,
She was a splendid accompanist, and
at many of the noted religious gath
erings she was asked to preside at
the organ, or piano, and lead the
singing. Famous as she became.
she really preferred not to discuss
it with her friends. and many were
the times that she refused inter-
views from reporters. She always
felt that to speak of what she had
done would be construed to mean
that she was boasting. To Mrs. Nor
ris it always was FORBID it Lord
that l should boast, save in the
death Of Christ my Lord" For a
number of years she attended many
of the noted camp meetings of the
country, and wherever her presence
became known, she was accorded
an honor place upon the platform.
But as stated she tried to avoid all
such publicity.
The fact that her hymns had
brought peace and comfort to thou
sands filled her soul with joy Dur
ing the many years that she resided
here, she was seldom absent from
any service of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, which held her member
ship. She was a woman of keen in
tellect, and was particularly well
posted in the Bible, being able at
will to repeat a great many of its
passages. This in her later years,
after she had lost her sight, was 8
great comfort to her. Following the
loss of her sight which affliction she
bore cheerfully, feeling that it was
as she has stated, testing of her
faith, she continued her hymn writ
ing, and to do her house work, as
she had done. Through the touch |
system she had learned to use the |
typewriter, and to read by the |
Braille system.
What an inspiration to the pas
tors of the local church where Mrs. |
AHnr Il, 4 fo l., So.
many years, has her life been But |
t was not confined to that church, |
or her interest and good will reach
I'd out to churches of other denomi- i
nations, and institutions of whatever
Kind that were for the uplift of hu-
nanity, SO that her friends and
hose whose lives her life has touch
ID for good, through her own Chris
ian personality, and the medium of
Ter God-given talent for song, are
egion.
Funeral Here Saturday
All the members of the family
will drive through by automobile,
Rev. Cartwright who will
company the body by train to
which is due to arrive
here Friday afternoon at 1:25. At
the Millers will meet the
ody and bring it here to their flu
eral parlors, where it will remain
ntil time for the funeral, which
vill be Saturday morning at 10 {
clock at the Methodist Episcopal /
hurch. Interment will be made in ]
IcConnelsville cemetery. I,
The Rotary club listened to a /,
cry Interesting paper on science
riday night, at the Malta hotel.
rof Rogers Rusk of Mount Hol-
oke college gave the paper, and 1t !,
as enjoyed very much. He gave a ,