104. There is a green hill far away
Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander, 1823-95
A popular hymn on the atonement, written for children but appropriated for general use with all ages. It was first published in the author’s Hymns for Little Children, 1848, her most famous book which ran into 100 editions. The accuracy of the first line may well be questioned for the Gospels do not state that Jesus was crucified on a hill, only that it was a place called “the skull” (Lk. 23:33). In any case, the sun-baked Judean hills are seldom green.
Cecil Frances Humphrey, daughter of Major John Humphrey, was a native of Ireland. Her father was an Englishman who, as a landowner and government agent, went to reside in Ireland. In 1850, she married the Rev. Wm. Alexander who, after spending many years in obscure parish work, was elected Archbishop of Armagh and later Primate of all Ireland. Mrs. Alexander was preëminently a writer for little children, her verses being characterized by simplicity and tenderness and poetic beauty; but she also contributed some notable church songs, e.g., “Jesus calls us o’er the tumult” ([140]).
To make the truths of the church catechism interesting and intelligible to little children, Mrs. Alexander wrote a series of poems to illustrate the Apostle’s Creed. This hymn is on the clause “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.” “All things bright and beautiful” ([410]) was written for the first clause, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” For the second clause, “And in Jesus Christ His Son, born of the virgin Mary” she wrote “Once in royal David’s city” ([412]).
MUSIC. MEDITATION appeared in Original Tunes, 1890, by John H. Gower, where it is set to “There is a land of pure delight.” The tune has since become closely associated with Mrs. Alexander’s hymn for which it forms an appropriate setting.
John Henry Gower, 1855-1922, English organist and concert artist, became professor of music at Trent College, Nottingham. Later he came to America on account of mining interests in Colorado but maintained his activity in music. He served as organist and choirmaster of St. John’s Cathedral, Denver, and during the World’s Fair in Chicago, 1893, became organist of the Church of the Epiphany in that city.
105-106. [When] I survey the wondrous cross
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
One of the twenty-five hymns prepared by Watts to be sung at the Lord’s Supper. Matthew Arnold, the famous literary critic, called it the “most majestic hymn in the English language.” It is one of four hymns which have been printed in more collections, translated into more tongues, and used in more congregations, than any other. The three hymns classed with this in popularity are “Rock of Ages,” “Jesus, Lover of my soul,” and “All hail the power of Jesus’ name.”
Watts gave this hymn the title “Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ.” It is based on Galatians 6:14: “God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world.” In the first stanza there is a reference to Phil. 3:7: “Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.” The whole hymn, and especially the closing stanza, reflects the thought of Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ ... who loved me and gave himself for me.” The third stanza, a sublime picture of the suffering Saviour, should always be sung softly.
For comments on Isaac Watts, see [Hymn 11].
MUSIC. ROCKINGHAM OLD is a famous tune always used with this hymn in England. It was named after the Marquis of Rockingham, a Whig statesman who was thrice prime minister of England, and a friend of the composer.
Edward Miller, 1731-1807, was born at Norwich, England, the son of a stone mason. He was a man of great literary attainments and considerable musical ability. For 56 years he was organist of the parish church at Doncaster, receiving the appointment in 1751 and retaining the post until his death in 1807. Miller played the flute in Handel’s orchestra in London and had many a story to tell of the great composer’s eccentricities. Dissatisfied with the church music of his time, he was led to publish a book, Psalms of David, which turned out to be a great success. The book contained such tunes as “Burford” ([228]), “St. Magnes” ([582]), “St. Anne” ([61]), “Surrey” ([44]), and others of a similar style from the early part of the 18th century. It also contained some of his original tunes, including ROCKINGHAM OLD, destined to become one of the most popular English tunes ever written. This tune was not identified at first with any particular words. Miller had set it to 9 different psalms, using 3 keys—F, E flat, and E. It became associated with Watts’ “When I survey the wondrous cross,” in 1854, the combination appearing in Mercer’s Church Psalter, and again in 1861, in Hymns Ancient and Modern. The words and tune have now become inseparable in England.
HAMBURG (106), an arrangement by Lowell Mason from a Gregorian Chant, illustrates the greatness of simplicity. The tune employs only five tones of the scale and yet breathes the dignity and solemnity of the great hymn to which it is set.
For comments on Lowell Mason see [Hymn 12].