The old rugged cross is a popular hymn written in 1912 by evangelist and song leader george bennard.
The old rugged cross history.
As a methodist evangelist george bennard wrote the first verse of the old rugged cross in albion michigan in the fall of 1912 as a response to ridicule that he had received at a revival meeting bennard traveled with ed e.
The old rugged cross during the early years of his ministry rev.
His mind went back again and again to christ s anguish on the cross.
So i ll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last i lay down.
And i love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Back in 1913 george bennard was struggling with a problem that caused him much suffering.
George bennard was praying for a full understanding of the cross and its plan in christianity consequently he spent many hours in study prayer and meditation until he could say i saw the christ of the cross as if i were seeing john 3 16 leave the printed page take.
The old rugged cross by george bennard the united methodist hymnal no.
I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown george bennard lived his retirement years in reed city michigan and passed away there in 1958.
Mieras from chicago to sturgeon bay wisconsin where they held evangelistic meetings at the friends church from december 29 1912.
The story behind the old rugged cross.
The old rugged cross hymn history and lyrics october 03 2019 the old rugged cross hymn history.
It is a hymn that leads us to focus on what christ did on the cross and make his sacrifice our own.
The cross he pictured was no gold covered icon.
As a methodist evangelist bennard wrote the first verse of the old rugged cross in albion michigan in the fall of 1912 as a response to ridicule that he had.
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.
Lyrics to the old rugged cross 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.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross the emblem of suffering and shame.
George bennard was a native of youngstown ohio but was reared in iowa after his conversion in a salvation army meeting he and his wife became brigade leaders before leaving the organization for the methodist church.
So i ll cherish the old rugged cross till my trophies at last i lay down i will cling to the old rugged cross.