Hymn of the Week: February 14, 2025
Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life
Glory to God: 343
Text: Frank Mason North, 1903
Music: Gardiner’s Sacred Melodies
Where cross the crowded ways of life,
Where sound the cries of race and clan,
Above the noise of selfish strife,
We hear your voice, O Son of Man.
In haunts of wretchedness and need,
On shadowed thresholds fraught with fears,
From paths where hide the lures of greed,
We catch the vision of your tears.
From tender childhood's helplessness,
From human grief and burdened toil,
From famished souls, from sorrow's stress,
Your heart has never known recoil.
The cup of water given for you
Still holds the freshness of your grace;
Yet long these multitudes to view
The sweet compassion of your face.
O Master, from the mountainside,
Make haste to heal these hearts of pain;
Among these restless throngs abide;
O tread the city's streets again;
Till all the world shall learn your love,
And follow where your feet have trod;
Till glorious from your heaven above
Shall come the city of our God.
North, Frank Mason, D.D. (December 3, 1850--December 17, 1935).
The Appendix Index reference, p.1607 in Julian, to Dr. North is to John Post Attwater who used "Frank North" as his nom de plume. In addition to the information included in the short biographical sketch at p.1677 it should be added that Dr. North continued his studies at Wesleyan University, advancing to the M.A. degree in 1875, later being honored by that institution's D.D., 1894, and L.L.D., 1918. He was a member of the New York East Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and served several pastorates in New York State and City as well as one at Middletown, Connecticut, 1887-1892. During the years 1892-1912, while Corresponding Secretary of the New York City Extension and Missionary Society and the editor of The Christian City, he was also Corresponding Secretary of the National City Evangelical Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church. From 1912 to 1924 he was the Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of his church and through these years he served as Chairman of its Executive Committee. He was also Secretary, Chairman of the Executive Committee, and President of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. It was largely through his efforts and influence that the Federal Council was organized.
Trustee and member of governing boards of numerous institutions in the United States, China, and Japan, among the additional honors which came to him were Chevalier Legion of Honor and "Officer de l'Instruction Publique," France; Officer of the Royal Order of George I, Greece. He was one of the great Protestant leaders of his generation. The leading article in The Hymn, 30 April 1950, was an excellent appreciation of Dr. North and his work.
Sources: Handbooks of various hymnals; Who Was Who I; Foote, Henry Wilder, Three Centuries of American Hymnody; Ninde, Edward S., Story of the American Hymn; Bailey, ALbert E., The Gospel in Hymns; Pratt, John Barnes, Present Day Hymns; correspondence.
This hymn was written in response to the growing Urban sprawl of the Industrial Revolution reaching out to folks in the cities. I particularly love the last verse that challenges us.
Till all the world shall learn your love,
And follow where your feet have trod;
Till glorious from your heaven above
Shall come the city of our God.
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day today, may we all work toward this vision of the kingdom of God where Love persists!
Here is a guitar version with a new tune to this wonderful text followed by a hymn from the pandemic years of the arrangement found in our hymnal.
