O Cross of Love

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Far back in the ages past

Author: Thomas O. Chisholm
Tune: [Far back in the ages past]
Published in 12 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Far back in the ages past,
Veiled in the mist of years,
A wondrous vision I behold,
That moves my heart to tears;
There hanging upon a cross,
The form of One I see,
Who suffered there a sinner's death,
That sinners might be free.

Refrain:
O cross of love! O cross of pain!
My glory and my plea!
Upon thy arms extended wide,
Christ Jesus died for me,
Christ Jesus died for me.

2 And gazing upon that cross,
What feelings fill my breast!
What sorrow for my life of sin!
What hungerings for rest!
Then peace, as the peace of heav'n
Steals in upon my soul,
And tides of deep and holy joy
Thro’ all my being roll. [Refrain]

3 O cross of redeeming love,
Stay thou before mine eyes,
Lest, wandering, my heart forget
Thy bleeding sacrifice!
Send forth thy refulgent beams
Along my pilgrim way,
And guide my feet, thro’ earthly night,
To realms of fadeless day. [Refrain]

4 O wonderful cross of Christ,
With hearts of men plead on;
Constrain the wayward, raise the low,
And melt the heart of stone;
O win for thyself in earth
A mighty victory,
Till righteousness shall flood the earth,
As waters flood the sea. [Refrain]

Source: The King of Kings: a choice collection of gospel songs, standard hymns, choruses, children's songs, solos, duets, and quartets together with responsive readings for use in evangelistic meetings... #157

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Author: Thomas O. Chisholm

Thomas O. Chisholm was born in Franklin, Kentucky in 1866. His boyhood was spent on a farm and in teaching district schools. He spent five years as editor of the local paper at Franklin. He was converted to Christianity at the age of 26 and soon after was business manager and office editor of the "Pentecostal Herald" of Louisville, Ky. In 1903 he entered the ministry of the M. E. Church South. His aim in writing was to incorporate as much as Scripture as possible and to avoid flippant or sentimental themes. Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company, 1916)… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Far back in the ages past
Title:	O Cross of Love
Author:	Thomas O. Chisholm
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	O cross of love, O cross of pain
Copyright:	Public Domain