For further comments on John Bowring see [Hymn 55].
MUSIC. RATHBUN was composed by Ithamar Conkey, 1815-67, an organist and prominent bass soloist who took part in many oratorio performances in New York City. The tune was composed one Sunday afternoon after the minister, Dr. Hiscox, of the Central Baptist Church, Norwich, Conn., had preached one of a series of sermons on the “Words of the Cross.” Conkey named the tune after the leading soprano in his choir, Mrs. Beriah S. Rathbun.
111. Cross of Jesus, Cross of sorrow
William J. Sparrow Simpson
From Stainer’s oratorio, The Crucifixion, where it appears as No. 4 under the title, “The Mystery of Divine Humiliation.” The original has 10 stanzas.
The libretto of The Crucifixion was written by Wm. J. Sparrow Simpson, Church of England clergyman. He was educated at Cambridge, ordained in 1882, and became chaplain of St. Mary’s Hospital, Great Alford. His theological works include the Catholic Conception of the Church and the History of the Anglo-Catholic Movement.
MUSIC. CROSS OF JESUS in Stainer’s Crucifixion is intended among other numbers in the oratorio, “to be sung by the congregation.” Its depth of feeling is best realized if sung in rather slow tempo.
John Stainer, 1840-1901, began his career as a choir boy at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, at the age of seven, continuing there for nine years. He early became acquainted with Arthur Sullivan and the two remained fast friends throughout life. Stainer became one of England’s greatest organists and succeeded Sir John Goss, at St. Paul’s Cathedral. He was one of the most prolific and best-loved of the Victorian composers. A bronze tablet, installed in his honor in St. Paul’s, was dedicated by a service in which parts of his cantatas were sung, and closed with his “sevenfold Amen” ([623]).
112. Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane, 1830-69