ALL THAT THRILLS MY SOUL IS JESUS

Thoro Harris wrote hundreds of Christian songs and published hundreds of other songs he did not write; he was one of the most prolific African-American hymn writers of the early 20th century. His compositions have been consistently selected for publication in hymnals of various denominations.

He was born to a father who was a black doctor and a mother who was white. He attended college in Battle Creek, Michigan and then moved to Boston, where in 1902 he produced the first of many hymnals. Thoro passed away in Eureka Springs on March 27, 1955 at the age of 80.

The most repeated theme of his writings is, "Our relationship with Jesus," the second recurring theme is, "Jesus’ second coming."

Harris' hymn, ALL THAT THRILLS MY SOUL IS JESUS, has survived with strength beyond any of his other compositions. In it, we sense a wonderful assurance when we sing… "All that thrills my soul is Jesus; He is more than life to me,” …and later in the hymn, “Love of Christ so freely given, Grace of God beyond degree.”