The Old Rugged Cross

 The Old Rugged Cross

By: George Bennard

 On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suff'ring and shame;

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. 

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.

 Oh, 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.

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.

 In the 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. 

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.

 To the 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. 

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.

George Bennard was born on February 4, 1873 in Youngstown, Ohio. He was the only son among four daughters. While he was still young, his family moved to Lucas, Iowa, where George accepted Christ as his Saviour at the Salvation Army meeting. George's father died when George was sixteen years old, and he assumed the responsibility of providing for his sisters and mother. George joined the Salvation Army and served alone until he married. Then, both him and his wife were officers in the Salvation Army until George resigned and became a traveling evangelist for the Methodist church. He conducted revival campaigns in Canada and in the northern and central United States. 

One day in his Michigan home, George reflected on the meaning of the cross in the life of a believer, in light of Galatians 6:14. "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
Upon mulling on this verse, George Bennard became convinced that the cross was the very heart of Christianity, and not just a symbol. He reported that as he meditated upon this, the words, "the old rugged cross" came into his mind and then the notes of a melody ran through his head. After writing them down, he tried for several weeks to compose words to fit the tune. Finally, four verses and the chorus flowed from his pen. George took the hymn over to his friend's house, Reverend and Mrs. L.O. Bostwick and sang it for them. The Bostwicks were so enthusiastic about the hymn that they offered to pay the fees to have it printed. "The Old Rugged Cross" was published in 1915. 

George Bennard traveled and preached for another forty years after writing this hymn. And although he composed several other hymns, none became as popular as his first. IN 1958, at the age of eighty-five, George Bennard "exchanged his cross for a crown." Near the house where he died, the city officials erected a wooden cross that stands twelve feet high. On it is a plaque that reads: "'The Old Rugged Cross' - Home of George Bennard, composer of the beloved hymn."

I hope and pray each and every one of you will have a good and godly week.

your friend in Christ,
Ashley

Ephesians 2:15-17

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.