The Old Rugged Cross Story

The old rugged cross hymn and the story behind it.

The old rugged cross story.

Back in 1913 george bennard was struggling with a problem that caused him much suffering. 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. After his conversion in a salvation army meeting he and his wife became brigade leaders before.

His mind went back again and again to christ s anguish on the cross. 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. Mieras from chicago to sturgeon bay wisconsin where they held evangelistic meetings at the friends church from december 29 1912. George bennard was a native of youngstown ohio but was reared in iowa.

Story behind the hymn when polls are taken to determine the most popular american hymns invariably near the top of the list is the old rugged cross it has been the most favored of the approximate 300 songs written by george bennard. Hymn story the old rugged cross hymn lists by book of bible george bennard 1873 1958 was born in youngstown ohio but his family moved to iowa where he accepted christ as his savior at a revival meeting sponsored by the salvation army. 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. The old rugged cross during the early years of his ministry rev.

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 is a popular hymn written in 1912 by evangelist and song leader george bennard 1873 1958. So i ll cherish the old rugged cross. 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.

The cross he pictured was no gold covered icon. This was the heart of the gospel. Written by george bernard. 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.

The old rugged cross by george bennard the united methodist hymnal no. The old rugged cross is a popular hymn written in 1912 by evangelist and song leader george bennard.