Great Hymns Of The Faith - "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"

 This is copied from the bulletin of Calvary Baptist Church on 472 Ocean Road in Portsmouth NH 03801 - (603) 436-7736


Great Hymns Of The Faith
"When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"
Isaac Watts 1674-1748

        Matthew Arnold declared the greatest Christian hymn in the English language to be "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross." At least it is admittedly the greatest hymn of a great hymn writer. Isaac Watts, the father of modern English Hymnody. He was the son of a deacon in the independent church, who had no sympathy with young Watt's custom of making rhymes and verses when a boy. At the age of eighteen Watts was one day ridiculing some of the poor hymns then sung in the churches, when his father said to him, sarcastically, "Make some yourself then." Accordingly, Watts set himself to writing a hymn, and produced the lines beginning: "Behold the glories of the Lamb". That was the start of his eminent career as a hymn writer.

        He became a clergyman, but illness compelled him to give up the pastorate, and for thirty-six years he remained at hymn writing, which had reached its highest expression in this hymn based on Paul's words in Galatians 6:14; "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ".

        Once, after this hymn had been sung in the Church of Saint Edmund, London, Father Ignatius repeated to his congregation the last two lines of the hymn impressively - Love so amazing, so divine. Demands my soul, my life, my all.

        And he added: "Well, I am surprised to hear you sing that. Do you know that altogether you put only fifteen shillings in the collection bag this morning?"



2025 / 01 / 25










       



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