The Old Rugged Cross
"The center and core of evangelical Christian faith is the Cross. The truth of redemption is the meaning of the Cross. The flowing stream of salvation is the distilled essence of divine grace and love, symbolized by the Cross.
"I was praying for a full understanding of the Cross and its plan in Christianity," said Reverend George Bennard. "I read and studied and prayed. I saw Christ and the Cross inseparably. The Christ of the Cross became more than a symbol. The scene pictured a method, outlined a process, and revealed the consummation of spiritual experience. It was like seeing John 3:16* leave the printed page, take form and act out the meaning of the redemption. While watching this scene with my mind's eye, the theme of the song came to me, and with it the melody; but only the words of the theme, 'The Old Rugged Cross,' came. An inner voice seemed to say, 'Wait'!
"I was holding evangelistic meetings in Michigan, but could not continue with the poem. After a series of meetings in New York state, the following week, I tried again to compose the poem, but could not. It was only after I had completed the New York meeting, and returned to Michigan for further evangelistic work, that the flood-gates were loosed.
"Many experiences of the redeeming grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ during those meetings had broken down all barriers. I was enabled to complete the poem with facility and dispatch. A friend aided in putting it into manuscript form. Charles H. Gabriel, to whom the manuscript was sent, returned it with a prophetic statement: 'You will hear from this song.' Likewise, when I strummed my guitar and sang it to Reverend and Mrs. Bostwick, upon my return to Michigan, they felt as had Mr. Gabriel, for they said: 'God has given you a song that will never die. It has moved us as no other song ever has moved us.'"
The unprecedented acceptance of "The Old Rugged Cross" justifies these statements. Around the world, on radio, where it has been the most used gospel song, and in multitudinous religious meetings, this arrow of the gospel, shafted with music, has shot God's truth home to the hearts of men. It is the epitome of the gospel in song; it is in the world of gospel song what John 3:16 is in gospel doctrine--the heart of it."
-- from Forty Gospel Hymn Stories, by George W. Sanville
"My late husband began writing this song in 1912, and he wrote it over a period of a year. During that year he went through a very severe 'life test' which inspired him to write it. He told the story in every state of the Union except two, Utah and Louisiana."
-- Mrs. Hannah Bennard from Sing Your Heart Out, Country Boy
* "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.""
The Old Rugged Cross
by Rev. George Bennard (1873-1958)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.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.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.
References
Sanville, George W. Forty Gospel Hymn Stories. Winona Lake, Indiana: The Rodeheaver-Hall Mack Company, 1943.
Horstman, Dorothy. Sing Your Heart Out, Country Boy. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1976.
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