As With Gladness Men of Old

This hymn was written by William C. Dix (1837-1898) in 1859 when recovering from illness. He was unusual for hymn writers at that time because he was not a clergyman, but actually worked in the maritime business. The hymn was first published in 1860 in A.H. Ward's Hymns for Public Worship and Private Devotion.

The first three stanzas of the hymn are taken from the first eleven verses of Matthew chapter two. They state the record of the wise men who came from the east to worship the king, whose star they had seen bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The fourth stanza has been attributed to Revelation 21.23 and Revelation 22.5 with an obvious reference to Matthew 7.14, which talks about the narrow way that we tread during this present age, but which leads to the heavenly home.

As with gladness men of old,
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger-bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom Heaven and earth adore,
So may we, with willing feet,
Ever seek the mercy-seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin's alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our glorious King.

Holy Saviour, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

The hymn very quickly became used in nearly every new hymn book in the 19th Century in the English language to become the hymn we know so well today.

(The tune most well known for this is called 'Dix', although it was composed by a German, Conrad Kocher and was arranged by William Henry Monks. Monks was a Londoner, who was a well-known arranger, as well as being an organist and choirmaster, during the 19th century.)

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Matthew 7.14)

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb………
…………….And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 21.23—22.5)

NAC