(Sir Isaac Watts, 1674-1748.)
This exquisite hymn, perhaps our most tender and reverent poetical vision of the crucified Savior, has been dear to the hearts of Christians for about two hundred years. And who can say how many hearts hardened by sin have been touched—yea, broken—by its solemn beauty? In at least one such instance it is recorded that "a broken and a contrite heart" was thus prepared to receive the Lord of glory as its Savior.
The incident occurred in India, at Maulmain. James Delaney, a British artilleryman, seemed to have become, in his hard life, utterly calloused to everything beautiful and good. He appeared to be insensible to religious influence and shunned everyone who gave any evidence of respect for the things of God.
Delaney's very hardness made him subject to unsavory tasks that others would have avoided. Not so Delaney! He seemed to glory in taking part in certain affairs of military life which were; no doubt, necessary, but would be to more sensitive souls quite revolting. Thus it was that he was detailed to be among those who must execute a fellow soldier accused and convicted by military tribunal of an especially cruel and coldblooded murder.
And there it was that James Delaney first heard a Protestant pray! In amazement he listened to a fellow man appeal directly to Almighty God to save the soul of one of His poor lost creatures. Knowing himself to be as vile as the man condemned to die, Delaney began to examine his own wicked heart. He was compelled to accept the Psalmist's verdict: "altogether become filthy." The thought came: if he were the one facing a firing squad, what would be his outlook? Where would be his destiny?
The Spirit of God was mercifully softening up this heart of stone. Delaney listened for the first time in his life to the simple gospel as it was sounded out by Eugenio Kincaid. Then he heard the touching words as the hymn was sung:
"When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Lord of glory died,
My richest gain I count but less,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
"Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God:
All the vain things that charm me most
I'd sacrifice them to His blood.
"See, from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
"Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my life, my soul, my all!”
James Delaney's hard heart was broken. He gazed by faith at the crucified Victim and saw in Him his own Sin-bearer, his Savior. The words of the hymn had laid hold of him so deeply that the whole course of his life was changed. His conversion was complete, and a few weeks later he was baptized in tile Salwin river.
As soon as the years of his army service ended, Delaney came to the United States. In 1844 he settled his sin and became a devoted missionary. Here, throughout the remaining years of his life, the fruits of his labors were no less remarkable than his conversion. Even as he had previously served Satan with a whole heart, James Delaney found "joy unspeakable and full of glory" in extolling the virtues of that One of whom he could say: "The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20).