February 7, 2016 (Sunday) – A great day to go to church!
Most of us have a special place in our hearts for hymns about the Cross. “At Calvary” is one of my favorite congregational hymns. It’s easy to sing, its words are meaningful, and it gives one a joyful feeling as it is sung.
The writer of the song was a wayward teenager whose father sent him to Moody Bible Institute with special permission from the president who met with him every day. The father’s prayers, the president’s commitment, and the efforts of Newell eventually resulted in the young man not only graduating, but several years later returning to Moody Bible Institute as a teacher. (sharefaith.com).
He wrote this song as a poem about his own experience. It was then set to music by Daniel Towner of Moody.
William R. Newell 1895 Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified, Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary. Refrain: Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary. By God’s Word at last my sin I learned; Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned, Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary. Refrain Now I’ve given to Jesus everything, Now I gladly own Him as my King, Now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary! Refrain Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man! Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary! Refrain |
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