Do you glory in the cross? I am slowly starting to really see the significance of it. I know Christ’s death and sacrifice is uber important and believe in it highly. But sometimes I fail to GLORY in it. This hymn helps In the Cross of Christ I Glory.
John Bowring is the author of this familiar hymn. Recalling us to the power of the cross. I found this interesting tidbit on Cyberhymnal:
There is a tradition that while Bowring was governor of Hong Kong, he visited nearby Macao and saw the ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral, which had been gutted by fire in 1835. Above the ruins, he saw the church’s cross still standing. The story is likely apocryphal, though—the hymn was published a decade before the fire, and more than 20 years before Bowing was in Hong Kong: He was appointed British consul in 1849, and governor in 1854.
John Bowring was born in England, son of a merchant Charles Bowring, whose main market was China. Over his lifetime he wrote 88 hymns. Worked in his father’s business, started his own company, travelled extensively and learned several languages. He had a good reputation as a political economist and parliamentary reformer.
Lyrics
In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.
When the woes of life o’ertake me—
Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me,
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.
When the sun of bliss is beaming
Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming
Adds more luster to the day.
Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
By the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure,
Joys that through all time abide.
What an interesting song. You found another I didn’t know.