Henry Zelley – died

ON THIS DATE

Henry J (Jeffreys) Zelley died 3/16/1942.  He was born 3/15/1859 at Mt Holly, NJ, youngest child of Noah & Mary (Sever) Zelley “a good woman & full of the Holy Ghost & faith,” attended the public school of Mt Holly, Pennington Seminary, & from Taylor U. received his MA & PhD degrees. He married Ida Shreve & they were blessed with two children: Clara & Edward. Zelley became a Methodist preacher serving as pastor (19 churches across 50 yrs.), the conference in various positions & as a trustee for Pennington Seminary. He was active in & backed camp meetings. 

He is remembered today for some of his more than 1200 poems & hymns which include: “Heavenly Sunlight” “Like a Mighty Sea” “He Brought Me Out” “Let the King Come In” “I’m Anchored on the Rock of Ages” “Because He Told Me So” “Make Me a Blessing Today” “The Sweet Beulah Land” “He Rolled the Sea Away” “When Israel out of Bondage Came.” Once Zelley pastored Henry L Gilmour who wrote music for several of Zelley’s hymns.

My soul today is thirsting for living streams divine, To sweep from highest Heaven to this poor heart of mine;

I stand upon the promise, in Jesus’ name I plead; O send the gracious current to satisfy my need.

Refrain

Like a mighty sea, like a mighty sea, Comes the love of Jesus sweeping over me;

The waves of glory roll, the shouts I can’t control; Comes the love of Jesus sweeping o’er my soul.