In the Cross of Christ I Glory

portrait — John Bowring
1792–1872
National Portrait Gallery

Words: John Bowring, Hymns (London: Rowland Hunter, 1825), number 63.

Music: Rathbun Ithamar Conkey, 1849 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

Asbury (Harrington), Claude W. Harrington, in The Methodist Hymnal (New York & Cincinnati, Ohio: Methodist Book Concern, 1905), number 143 (🔊 pdf nwc)
Bartimeus, William B. Bradbury, The Golden Censer, 1864 (🔊 pdf nwc)
Oxford (Stainer), John Stainer, 1887 (🔊 pdf nwc)
Wychbold, Walter G. Whinfield (1865–1919) (🔊 pdf nwc)

Glorification of the Cross
Adam Elsheimer
1578–1610

Tradition says that while Bowring was governor of Hong Kong, he visited nearby Macao and saw the ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral, which was gutted by fire in 1835. Above the ruins, he saw the church’s cross still standing.

The story is apocryphal, though—the hymn was published a decade before the fire, and over 20 years before Bowring was in Hong Kong: He became British consul in 1849, and governor in 1854.

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.

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.

Scripture Verse

Introduction

Anecdote

Lyrics