the old rugged cross history

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. British hymnologist Erik Routley (1917-1982) offered his opinion of this hymn in a text published in 1967. (*Refrain). During this Easter season, we are reminded about our religious heritage, and the great contribution Albion has made with one of the most beloved hymns of all time composed here: “The Old Rugged Cross.” Each chapter . We're sorry, an error occurred. The Old Rugged Cross Hymn History. For some, this hymn stands for an era in American religious life that represents a personal faith at the exclusion of social holiness and an unredeemable sentimentalism. His mind went back again and again to Christ’s anguish on the cross. Converted at a Salvation Army meeting, he later became a Methodist evangelist. It had been in use as a barn for many years and had fallen into disrepair. Learn the story behind The Old Rugged Cross, written over a hundred years ago, and performed in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. I want to receive newsletters and other email from Discipleship Ministries. The son of an Ohio coal miner, Bennard was a lifelong servant of God, chiefly in the Methodist ministry. 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. The Cross is the center of time and of eternity.” Christ changed the history of the world. Music Leadership in the Church. Both hymns, though 1500 years apart, emphasize that the cross stands for something deeper: for Bennard, it was an “emblem of suffering and shame”; for Neale’s translation, the cross was a “symbol of the world’s redemption.”. After his conversion in a Salvation Army meeting, he and his wife became brigade leaders before leaving the organization for the Methodist Church. Read Through the Bible This Year with CSB Every Day with Jesus Daily Bible, Get the Latest from Priscilla Shirer Today, Join Your Favorite Authors for a Virtual Event, Become a Super Host and Save on 2021 Simulcasts, Order Curriculum, Literature, and Church Supplies, by Eric Wyse on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 12:00 AM. History of Hymns: “The Old Rugged Cross”. The composer employs the poetic device of hypotyposis – painting a scene – in his text. Customer Service Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT Monday - Friday Phone: 1-800-458-2772. [7] Let us look even further back in time for a similar theme. "The Old Rugged Cross" George Bennard (February 4, 1873 – October 10, 1958) was an American hymn composer and preacher. This gospel hymn favorite was written by a self-taught, traveling worship leader—later recorded by numerous artists including Bart Millard of MercyMe, Kevin Max of dc Talk, Amy Grant and Selah. On a hill far away, stood an old rugged Cross. Free shipping on books, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and church supplies of $50 or more. and exchange it some day for a crown. The "Old Rugged Cross" was an instant hit and over the years has been performed by many musical greats, including Anne Murray, Johnny Cash and June Carter, Mahalia Jackson, Loretta Lynn, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Brad Paisley, Al Green, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, the Oak Ridge Boys and many more. The son of an Ohio coal miner, Bennard was a lifelong servant of God, chiefly in the Methodist ministry. Nashville: Abingdon Press. The Old Rugged Cross Foundation, Inc. was formed for the purpose of saving and restoring the old church where the hymn made its public debut, and preserving the history of the hymn and its author. During the early years of his ministry, Rev. The Old Cross Made the Difference. He wrote the words and music of over 300 other hymns. 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. From this point, it became a staple of Billy Sunday’s evangelistic crusades, promoted by his chief musician Homer Rodeheaver (1880-1955), who eventually bought the rights to the song. Discipleship Ministries Early years. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. be for all the noblest tree; 1908 Grand Avenue, (877) 899-2780, Discipleship Ministries is an agency of The United Methodist Church© 2021 Discipleship Ministries. View staff by program area to ask for additional assistance. Hymn History: The Old Rugged Cross During a period of spiritual struggling, George Bennard (1873-1958) started to study and contemplate the cross of Christ. And we’re all in it for the same reason—to fuel the church’s mission of making disciples. The hymn quickly spread throughout the region and came to the attention of the evangelist Billy Sunday, who frequently utilized it in his meetings. As a young boy, he moved with his family from Ohio to Iowa, where his father worked as a coal miner. And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best, for a world of lost sinners was slain. History of Hymns: 'It's Me, It's Me, O Lord' ('Standing in the Need of Prayer'). Both songs place the singer in the biblical scene, one at the foot of the cross where Jesus hung, and the other in the garden walking with the risen Christ following the Resurrection. The History Behind "The Old Rugged Cross". Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. Troubled by their disregard for the gospel, Bennard turned to Scripture to reflect on the work of Christ on the cross. The Old Rugged Cross uses a sentimental popular song form with a verse/chorus pattern in 6 8 time, and it speaks of the writer's adoration of Christ and His sacrifice at Calvary. Oct 18, 2013 - The Old Rugged Cross Hymn Study includes everything needed to study the hymn--hymn history, lyrics, sheet music, copywork, notebooking pages, & listening links. History of Hymns: 'Christ the Lord is Risen Today'. Your community. 504. In Fortunatus’s hymn, the context points toward the mystery of the sacrament. The completed song was first published in Heart and Life Songs for the Church, Sunday School, Home, and Campmeeting (1915), edited by Bennard and two other colleagues. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. Today, that same church building, originally a hops barn, is owned by the non-profit Old Rugged Cross Foundation and welcomes thousands of visitors annually. A Brief History. George Bennard was “praying for a full understanding of the cross and its plan in Christianity.”. Returning to the initial comment that many love this gospel song, and many love to hate it, this may be the result of the hymn’s emblematic nature. By C. Michael Hawn. After completing the hymn, he performed the song in its entirety for the sponsoring pastor and his wife, Rev. George Bennard (1873-1958) was born in Ohio, but raised in Iowa. "The Old Rugged Cross," one of the world's best-loved hymns, was composed here in 1912 by the Rev. George Bennard. Everything in history is measured as B.C. Your family. Gospel Guitar) Black Church Leadership & Family Conference. Being a Christian is not easy but we all need to cling to that old cross and bear the shame and ridicule we might face. “The Old Rugged Cross” has proven to be extremely popular as a country gospel solo recorded by numerous artists: Ernest Tubb, Andy Griffith, Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash and June Carter, Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Willie Nelson, and many more. Bennard had been very active in the Salvation Army and later wa s ordained as a evangelist for the Methodist Episcopal 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, To borrow a variation of a word from the hymn, one knows that a song becomes emblematic of a genre or era when it is used in a movie. Third Sunday of Easter, Year B - Lectionary Planning Notes, Living the Resurrection (*Refrain), In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine / Such a wonderful beauty I see / For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died / To pardon and sanctify me. Upon the renewal of the copyright 28 years later, he received a final payment of $5,000. Bennard retired to Reed City, Michigan , and the town maintains a museum dedicated to his life and ministry. Furthermore, he adds to the hypotyposis by noting that the cross is “stained with blood.”, Another poetic technique employed effectively by the composer is that of paradox. This book can be obtained here: http://livinghymns.org/resources.aspxOn a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of … 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. Furthermore, the tradition of this era would have placed extreme value on the mysterious power of actually having in one’s possession a holy relic, a piece, even a sliver, of Christ’s actual cross. Please confirm that you want to receive email from us. Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B, Home Bennard's conversion at the age of 22 through the evangelistic ministry of the Salvation Army in Canton, Iowa, led to his ordination and commissioning as a traveling evangelist in 1898. Whether our prayers e. . * Indicated Required Field See our Privacy Policy. He looked up into the rear view mirror, and noticed the flashing lights of … It was April 14, 1906 when Pastor Ruth’s Great Aunt Helen Allen was led to Los Angeles, California. The Old Rugged Cross was written over a hundred years ago, and performed in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. For information about our privacy practices, please read our Privacy Policy page. The Old Rugged House. He felt that it is a hymn of “unspeakable vulgarity,” though allowing that “it has said something authentic to somebody” (Routley, 1967, 96). 504. While on the surface the theology may appear similar, actually there are significant differences. Here to serve you with biblical resources for Everything life brings your way throughout the Midwest holding... Song quickly became a favorite song, “ the Old Rugged Cross hymn History the Old Cross. Venerates the Cross of Good Friday hymn Pugh and Publisher Cascade Books tears... The Story behind the Old Rugged Cross ” Atonement in popular Christian Devotion by Ben and. The autobiography written by Andraé Edward Crouch ( 1945–2015 ) with Nina in... Is here to serve you with biblical resources for Everything life brings your way is called the “ Lamb. Ll cherish the Old Rugged Cross 's Me, O Lord ' ( 'Standing in the Salvation meeting! He traveled throughout the Midwest, holding revivals until his retirement in Reed,. 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Museum dedicated to his life and ministry on June 7, 1913 love music... Or more of his ministry, Rev a member of our support team ’... My trophies at last I lay down ago, and then a five-voice choir sang with organ violin... Very modest family in Youngstown, Ohio, but was reared in Iowa ways, this hymn in! Ballad style ( 6/8 meter ) with refrains below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information be. The reference to Jesus is more direct in stanza two, Christ is called the “ dear of. To some of the Cross room of the Atonement in popular Christian hymns in Methodist...

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