The scene: probably Boston, and probably more specifically the
Boston Bible and Missionary Training School or perhaps the Moody Bible
Institute. (See an early 20th Century picture of Boston’s Haymarket
Square here, perhaps like what one might have seen at the time of today’s hymn’s
creation. ) If you catch a glimpse of this theologian, you
can imagine what such a scholar might want to communicate to those he was
trying to shape. Did he pursue this songwriting mechanism to reinforce his
lectures? See what you think.
James Gray’s life at the age of 52 in 1903 had taken a few
turns by this point, and would soon take another. Perhaps the words he composed
in this hymn about a story summed up what he wanted to most communicate on
either side of his 52nd year. In the 25 years prior to 1903, Gray
had been intimately involved with reviving or starting several churches in the
Boston area, so this minister of God’s message was quite familiar with the
fundamentals of telling the Divine story. He’d also collaborated on the
establishment of the Boston Bible and Missionary Training School (also later
known as Gordon Divinity School) and was one of its faculty members, so he
evidently wasn’t satisfied with preaching the story, but sought out a way to
teach others how to tell it also. He didn’t stop there, as the hymn’s words
show his passion for this story’s spread was still burning. This theologian was a guest lecturer at Moody
Bible Institute in Chicago and was also awarded the Doctor of Divinity by Bates
College in Maine, so he, and perhaps the compelling delivery of the story that
he offered, was met with enthusiasm by many in multiple geographic areas. By
1904, the year after “…Our Wondrous Story”, Gray’s association with the Moody
Bible Institute would deepen, as he became its dean, a role he would retain for
many more years. For the next few decades, Moody’s student population and
finances prospered greatly, and thus the capacity for broadening the story’s
reach could be said to have prospered also. Gray not only wrote about the story he cherished,
but he lived it too, as a model, teacher, and administrator, and finally artist—as
a poet and hymnwriter. This guy might be described as a multi-tasker, but
really, he had one task that he variously manifested.
The third verse of Gray’s hymn, not often seen in print, is unfortunately
overlooked, as it identifies the person of the story. Gray’s references to Jesus throughout the hymn
are largely through indirect synonyms - - ‘One’, ‘God’s Son’, ‘He’, ‘Savior’. Was
it Gray’s experience as a story-teller that told him by verse three to be more
direct? Is that what some listeners need, ultimately, to know the name of the
one being shared? Would that not also be the advice given to a missionary, whom
Gray would have also been instructing in 1903? Sure, tell them God loves
humanity, that He sent someone from His own side to save them. Jesus Christ is
His name. No need to withhold that piece of information, Gray must have been
thinking. Make sure you use that 3rd verse, when you’re singing, and
otherwise. (Check it out at the first link below.)
See the following sites for information on the song’s verses
and a brief biography of the composer:
More biography of the composer here:
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