November 7, 2009

The Old Rugged Cross

This is a favourite hymn from long ago. When I was only about 5 years old my Dad was a pastor and we went once a month to the senior's home in the area to conduct a service. It was my job to hand out the hymn books. I remember dearly loving to sing this hymn in that place. I suppose that is where my fondness for it began.

Since having babies of my own it has become more precious as I shared it with them while tucking them into bed for the night. It focuses our attention on the One that really matters...why we live!



The Old Rugged Cross

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.

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 someday for a crown.

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.

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 someday for a crown.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so Divine,
A wonderful beauty I see;
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me.

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 someday for a crown.

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.

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.


George Bennard (1873-1960)

11 comments:

Mrs. E said...

BEAUTIFUL~
one of my favorite hymns!!
SO rich indeed.
What a lovely blog you
have here. ;)

Thank you for your kind
words on 'Blessed Femina'
I am so happy that the
chocolate molten cake
turned out great... it
is scrumptious... hehehe :D
yes~ exercise post indeed!

Love Always~ Miss Jen
www.blessedfemina.blogspot.com

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Sadly, being raised as a Catholic, we did not sing very many hymns. In fact, I can only recall a couple. I have bought Selah's Greatest Hymns and Jars of Clay Redemption Songs have have really come to love these old hymns.
Thanks for sharing....and glad to hear the Curry went over well. Have you tried the Naan yet? So simple, and a perfect accompaniment to the curry!

Michelle (She Looketh Well) said...

Hi Camille,

I too love that hymn and like my neighbor Farmer girl Cyn, being raised Catholic we didn't get much of the hymns. So thankful the Lord has given me a passion to learn them and teach them to my children. While Brian and I were out for our anniversary we stopped by an antique store and I found a beautiful little (about half size) Psalter Hymnal! It is very old and so precious to me. I found some new favorites already!

Thanks for you encouragement, girlfriend, things are going better,Praise God!!!!

Have a lovely week, okay?

Nadine said...

A beautiful classic hymn!

Blessings!
~Nadine

Camille said...

Miss Jen ~ So lovely that you stopped by! The old hymns are really precious, aren't they? :)

Cindy ~ I'm so glad you are enjoying the hymns...they are so rich with doctrine and "life experience"...wonderful! The naan bread is on my "to do" list for menus...just ran out of time yesterday. Thanks again for the tip...I know that will go over very well around here! :)

Michelle ~ So glad to hear things are going better for you! The Lord is so good to us, isn't He? What a blessing you are learning some of the hymns and teaching them to your children...wonderful heritage you are giving them!

Nadine ~ Hymns were forged out of some deep trials of faith...what a blessing we have access to them...we need to preserve this great heritage!

Have a wonderful week...all of you!
In His Love,
Camille

Unknown said...

There's nothing like the old hymns. They really speak to the heart.

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

This is my mom's favorite hymn!

Sharon said...

Oh Camille,

I LOVE this hymn! it is so beautiful and always brings me to tears. Thank you for sharing :)

Have a most glorious week in Him!

Love,
Sharon

Camille said...

Jenn ~ I totally agree! :)

Jackie ~ How wonderful! God is so good!

Sharon ~ It's been precious to me for a very long time too...

May the Lord bless you all this week!

In His Love,
Camille

Heather said...

It's one of my favourites too because a developmentally delayed woman I work with has a wooden cross and must have this hymn sung in our group while she holds it up. Precious. He died on that rugged cross for her too! Thanks for sharing :)

Camille said...

Heather ~ That is a precious story...the Lord saves His people not because of rank or standing or wealth or beauty...but for HIS GLORY...and NONE of us deserve His mercy! What a GREAT and WONDERFUL God we serve!

Blessings,
Camille