September 4, 2021 (Saturday)
The year was 1955, and I was watching television in the middle of the day when I saw George Bennard being interviewed because he, a minister, had written “The Old Rugged Cross.” (He was born in Ohio and retired in Michigan).
I was surprised because I had assumed that the writer of the hymn had long since passed because the hymn had been around all my life (I was 33). The song had been around only 42 years at the time, and Bennard was 82 (he later died at 85).
For the past 66 years I’ve been able to say I saw and heard (via television) the person who wrote “The Old Rugged Cross.” He seemed like a wonderful person most of us would have been thankful to have as our pastor.
The hymn is now 108 years old. I predict it will always be around. People love it.
Author: George Bennard
1913
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.
Refrain:
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.
O 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.
Refrain
In that 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.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
Ohio Monument to Song
Albion Plaque