The Door Stands Open Wide

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Sweet words over-arching mercy's door

Author: Eliza E. Hewitt
Tune: [Sweet words over-arching mercy's door]
Published in 2 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Sweet words o'er-arching mercy's door,
In golden light aflame,
Come, enter, "whosoever will,"
Through one availing name.

Refrain:
Oh, hear the Holy Spirit say,
The door stands open wide to-day,
Open wide! open wide!
In this accepted day.

2 Thou who art standing just outside,
O look within, and see
The blest delights of that fair fold,
Eternal, full, and free. [Refrain]

3 There peace, like a bright river flows,
There, "pleasures evermore,"
And grace, and purity, and love,
Beyond that open door. [Refrain]

4 The hands that bear the nail-prints still
Fling mercy's door so wide;
'Tis Jesus waiting there himself
To welcome thee inside. [Refrain]

Source: Our Praise in Song: a collection of hymns and sacred melodies, adapted for use by Sunday schools, Endeavor societies, Epworth Leagues, evangelists, pastors, choristers, etc. #23

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Author: Eliza E. Hewitt

Pseudonym: Lidie H. Edmunds. Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born in Philadelphia 28 June 1851. She was educated in the public schools and after graduation from high school became a teacher. However, she developed a spinal malady which cut short her career and made her a shut-in for many years. During her convalescence, she studied English literature. She felt a need to be useful to her church and began writing poems for the primary department. she went on to teach Sunday school, take an active part in the Philadelphia Elementary Union and become Superintendent of the primary department of Calvin Presbyterian Church. Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Sweet words over-arching mercy's door
Title:	The Door Stands Open Wide
Author:	Eliza E. Hewitt
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	O, hear the Holy Spirit say
Copyright:	Public Domain