The Old Rugged Cross the song

The Old Rugged Cross is one of the most beloved and cherished hymns in Christianity. The reason for writing this Hub comes from watching the Pastors School's services over the internet this week. The First Baptist Church in Hammond, IN hold a conference each year and the theme this year was the cross. Some of the most powerful sermons on the Cross of Jesus Christ were preached this week. I have two girls in Hyles Anderson College

The song that has touch the hearts of so many people goes like this.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
    the emblem of suffering and shame;
    and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
    for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
    So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
    till my trophies at last I lay down;
    I will cling to the old rugged cross,
    and exchange it some day for a crown.

    O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
    has a wondrous attraction for me;
    for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
    to bear it to dark Calvary.
    (Refrain)

    In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
    a wondrous beauty I see,
    for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
    to pardon and sanctify me.
    (Refrain)

    To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
    its shame and reproach gladly bear;
    then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
    where his glory forever I'll share.
    (Refrain)

In 1913, Reverend George Bennard completed the final version of his beloved hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross" while staying in the parsonage of the Reverend and Mrs. Leroy O. Bostwick in Pokagon, Michigan. He sang the final completed version for the first time in its entirety at a revival meeting in the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon and then had the choir sing it from his penciled notes.

George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio. He was the son of George and Margaret Russell Bennard, of Scottish descent. The couple, who had five other children, moved their family to Albia where He was a coal minner. An accident led to his fathers death at age 49, forcing young George, at age16, to support his mother and sisters as a miner.

In 1895, while in Canton,Ohio, George began to attend Salvation Army meetings, and at 24 he became a minister when he enlisted in the Salvation Army at Rock Island, Illinois. By 1898, he was conducting revival meetings throughout the Midwest. In 1910, while in New York, he resigned the Salvation Army to set out on his own as an evangelist. During his time as a evangelist He began composing hymns.

George wrote in Diary while traveling;

"I seemed to have a vision . . . I saw the Christ and the cross inseparable,"

The melody for "The Old Rugged Cross" came easily for George, but he labored over the words in the four verses and refrain. The hymn was published in 1913 and was immediately successful.

The song "The Old Rugged Cross" is sung in many churches even today. It tells a story of a Suffering Savior and the devotion of His people that he died for

When sung from the heart it tells of a devotion to the cross and for all it symbioses. Without the cross, the Bible is just a book. Without the Cross, the preaching of Christ is foolishness. Without the Cross we have no hope, but because of the cross, you and I can be forgiven.