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.