In the Cross of Christ I Glory - John Bowring

The author of this hymn, Englishman John Bowring, was born in 1792. He was considered to be one of the great intellects of his day. By the age of sixteen, he had mastered five languages on his own. Over the years, he published translations of poetry from many different languages, studied 200 languages, and was able to carry on conversations in at least 100 languages. This ability was important as he traveled the world extensively in the mercantile and trading business.

Bowring had many interests. He produced two volumes of sacred poetry. “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” appeared in his second one in 1825. He became interested in politics and served two terms as a member of Parliament; because of his outstanding service to his country, he was knighted by Queen Victoria. In 1849, he began nine years of service to China, and in 1854, he became governor of Hong Kong.

The most popular tune used for Bowring’s poem was composed by Ithamar Conkey in 1849. He was the choir director at the Central Baptist Church in Norwich, Connecticut. One rainy Sunday morning, he became very upset because only one choir member showed up for the service; he left right after playing the prelude. That afternoon, he regretted it, and he composed a new, more inspiring tune for Bowring’s poem in time to be used for the evening service. He named the tune RATHBUN after Mrs. Beriah Rathbun, the one choir member who had shown up for church that morning. Conkey later admitted that “his feelings were a vivid contradiction of his actions at the morning service.”

A story is told that one time, when Bowring sailed past the coast of Macao, China, he saw the remains of an old church that had been destroyed by a typhoon. Above the ruins, he saw the church's cross still standing and was inspired to write “In the Cross of Christ I Glory.” Though the story can't be verified, it’s certain that the hymn is a reflection of Paul’s words: But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world (Galatians 6:14). The hymn expresses the “peace and joy” the cross offers during times of both “pain and pleasure.” “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” are words inscribed on Bowring’s tombstone.

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