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Cleland Boyd McAfee
1866–1944
Best remembered for writing the beloved hymn "Near to the Heart of God," this Presbyterian minister also left a mark as a teacher, church leader, and influential voice in American Protestant life. His work joined pastoral warmth with serious theological thought.
2 Audiobooks
The Greatest English Classic
by Cleland Boyd McAfee
The Greatest English Classic
by Cleland Boyd McAfee
About the author
Born in 1866 and dying in 1944, Cleland Boyd McAfee was an American Presbyterian minister, professor, and hymn writer. He is most widely remembered today for "Near to the Heart of God," a hymn that has remained especially cherished for its quiet comfort and trust.
McAfee served both the church and the classroom. Reliable accounts describe him as a prominent Presbyterian leader, and he is also associated with the early use of the TULIP acrostic in Reformed teaching. That mix of pastoral ministry, teaching, and doctrinal clarity helps explain why his name still appears in hymnals and church history references.
What stands out most is the tone of his legacy: thoughtful, devout, and deeply pastoral. Even for listeners who do not know his full story, his best-known hymn has kept his voice alive through its calm, prayerful spirit.