O That Will Be Glory (Quick Thoughts on a Hymn)

For one individual, a bright smile almost became a trademark. At the beginning of the last century, a cheerful old man named Ed Card was superintendent of the Sunshine Rescue Mission in St. Louis, Missouri. Ed was a radiant Christian who always seemed to be bubbling over with the joy of the Lord. His glowing smile, and a habitual expression, earned him the nickname “Old Glory Face.” During meetings at the mission, the one safety valve for all his pent up enthusiasm was the word “Glory!” (to him meaning “Wonderful!”). He often just exploded with it, in the middle of a sermon or a prayer. As author Ken Osbeck notes, “He praised the Lord, not with many words, but with one word repeated many times!” When he prayed, he would inevitably end with thoughts of meeting his Saviour in heaven, saying, “And that will be glory for me!”

Charles Gabriel (1856-1932) was a good friend of Mr. Card’s, and he wrote the hymn “O That Will Be Glory” around 1900, in honour of the superintendent’s shining testimony. It begins, “When all my labours and trials are o’er, / And I am safe on that beautiful shore, / Just to be near the dear Lord I adore, / Will through the ages be glory for me.” The superintendent’s joyful anticipation of meeting Christ is reflected throughout the song. Like the Apostle Paul, Ed Card was one of those who “loved His appearing” (II Tim. 4:8). They both looked forward to the day of Christ’s return, and to an eternity with Him. The old man had the privilege of singing Charles Gabriel’s hymn himself, just before he died. He was thrilled to think that his Christian life had been an inspiration to others.