The plan of the hymn is interesting. The first stanza declares the cross of Christ to be the central fact in divine revelation and the one theme in which the Christian never ceases to glory. The second stanza pictures the cross as the Christian's refuge and comfort in time of affliction, while the third tells how it also adds luster to the days of joy and sunshine. The final stanza summarizes these two ideas, and the hymn closes by telling of the eternal character of the peace and joy that flow from the cross. An interesting story is told of this hymn in connection with the Boxer uprising in China. All foreigners in Peking had been besieged by the infuriated Chinese for several weeks. When the allied troops finally reached the city and the terrible strain was ended, the Christian missionaries gathered in the Temple of Heaven, the remarkable pagan shrine where the Emperor of China was accustomed to worship, and, lifting up their voices in thanksgiving, the messengers of the cross sang: In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o'er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime. Sir John Bowring eventually became governor of Hong Kong, and wielded great influence in the Orient. He did much to promote Christian benevolences and other enterprises for the good of the peoples in the Far East. When his health began to fail, his friends warned him to cease some of his activities, but in vain. His answer was, "I must do my work while life remains to me; I may not long be here." He was often gratified to hear his hymns sung at unexpected times and in unusual places. In 1825 he wrote a poem beginning with the words, "Watchman, tell us of the night." He did not know it was being used as a hymn until ten years later, when he heard it sung by Christian missionaries in Turkey. Among other hymns of Bowring that have come into general use is the beautiful one beginning with the words: God is Love; His mercy brightens All the path in which we rove; Bliss He wakes, and woe He lightens: God is Wisdom, God is Love. A Hymn That Opens Hearts O Jesus, Thou art standing Outside the fast-closed door, In lowly patience waiting To pass the threshold o'er: Shame on us, Christian brothers, His Name and sign who bear: O shame, thrice shame upon us, To keep Him standing there! O Jesus, Thou art knocking; And lo, that hand is scarred, And thorns Thy brow encircle, And tears Thy face have marred: O love that passeth knowledge, So patiently to wait! O sin that hath no equal, So fast to bar the gate! O Jesus, Thou art pleading In accents meek and low, "I died for you, My children, And will ye treat Me so?" O Lord, with shame and sorrow We open now the door; Dear Saviour, enter, enter, And leave us nevermore.