Near the Cross

Written in 1869, Near the Cross is a well-known and beloved hymn in The United Methodist Hymnal (No. 301). Fanny J. Crosby wrote the text after being shown a tune composed by her frequent collaborator, William H. Doane. The text and tune were first published together in Bright Jewels for the Sunday School in 1869. Crosby provided four stanzas and a refrain, most of which are retained in hymnals today, though the final stanza (“Near the cross I’ll watch and wait”) is occasionally omitted.

The repeated phrase “near the cross” at the beginning of each stanza underscores the centrality of Christ’s redeeming work. Each stanza reflects a different dimension of that saving grace: redemption through Christ’s blood, humanity’s deep need for salvation, a prayerful remembrance of God’s love revealed at the cross, and a hopeful longing for eternal life.

The tune supports this message best when sung at a moderate tempo—neither hurried nor heavy—allowing the music to convey both reverence and quiet confidence in God’s promises.

Especially fitting for the season of Lent, this hymn invites us into prayerful reflection on Christ’s sacrifice and calls us to remain near the cross as we prepare our hearts for Easter. Today’s musical reflection is further enriched by a beautiful organ arrangement by Franklin Ritter, whose expressive setting highlights the hymn’s tenderness and encourages attentive, reflective listening.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness.”
— 1 Peter 2:24

With grace and peace,

Eon Malan
Music Ministry Associate & Organist

Sources
Morgan, Robert J. Then Sings My Soul, Book 2. Nashville, TN: 2004.
Smith, Jane S. and Carlson, Betty. Great Christian Hymn Writers. Wheaton, Il: Crossway Books, 1997.
Young, Carlton R. Companion to the United Methodist Hymnal. Nashville, TN: 1993.
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-jesus-keep-me-near-the-cross-1