My grandmother lost 3 children in Roanoke Co - 1901, 1903, 1905. Each died at about 15-18 months. I saw the following a few years back: Infants who died in this era often succumbed to diphtheria. Near to the Heart of God was written by Presbyterian pastor Cleland McAfee in 1902 upon learning that two of his nieces had died of diphtheria. On the day of their double funeral, McAfee sang the hymn outside the quarantined house of his brother Howard. The First Presbyterian Church Choir of Chicago, where McAfee was pastor, sang the hymn the following Sunday as a communion anthem. McAfee later became moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA. McAfee's granddaughter is Jane Parker Hubert, a popular contemporary Presbyterian hymn text writer. Poignant, isn't it . Judith Bailey Gabor To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html