Sir Isaac Watts, 1674-1748.
The hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," perhaps our most tender and reverent poetical vision of the crucified Savior, has been dear to the hearts of Christians for about two hundred and fifty years. And who can say how many hearts hardened by sin have been touched by its solemn message? One heart God touched through the hymn was James Delaney.
James Delaney, a British artilleryman, went to India and became, by 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. His very hardness made him volunteer for many jobs that others would have avoided. He seemed to glory in taking part in certain affairs of military life which, while necessary, would be quite revolting to more sensitive souls.
Yet God had His eye on Delaney. While detailed to be among those who must execute a fellow soldier accused and convicted by military tribunal of a cruel and cold-blooded murder, James Delaney first heard a simple, heart-felt prayer. 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 Bible's verdict that he was: "altogether become filthy." The thought came: if he were the one facing the firing squad, what would be his outlook? Where would be his destiny? God was mercifully softening this heart of stone.
Delaney listened for the first time in his life to the simple gospel. 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 loss,
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 One 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.
As soon as the years of his army service were ended, Delaney became a devoted missionary. Even as he had previously served Satan with a whole heart, James Delaney found "joy unspeakable and full of glory" in telling out the virtues of that One of whom he could now 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).