Last night I had one of the most enjoyable dreams. I was at a church singing. (I believe it must have been a singing as there was no preaching but I may have left my dream too soon.) But it was some good singing. I remember the songs, "I've Come Too Far", "Jesus Savior Pilot Me", "The Unseen Hand", "Victory In Jesus" and I believe there were more. I don't know what church I was in or who was singing but I know I was the best I could.
Then this morning I wake to "The Old Rugged Cross". I don't think over the weeks and months I have been trying to write a message with my morning song that I have ever woke to "The Old Rugged Cross". What a wonderful old song to wake too. It is one that we all know and have sung for years. It was written in 1913 by George Bennard. Hearing and singing this wonderful hymn my entire life, I was curious about it's history so I looked it up. Here's what I found from a story of Mr. Bennard's personal account.
"I was praying for a full understanding of the cross, and its plan in Christianity. I read and studied and prayed. I saw Christ and the Cross inseparably. The Christ of the Cross became more than a symbol. The scene pictured a method, outlined a process, and revealed the consummation of a spiritual experience. It was like seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form, and act out the meaning of redemption. While watching this scene with my mind’s eye, the theme of the song came to me, and with it the melody; but only words of the theme, “The Old Rugged Cross,” came. An inner voice seemed to say, “Wait”!
I was holding evangelistic meetings in Michigan, but could not continue with the poem. After a series of meetings in New York state, the following week, I tried again to compose the poem, but could not. It was only after I had completed the New York meeting, and returned to Michigan for further evangelistic work, that the flood-gates were loosed.
Many experiences of the redeeming grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ during those meetings had broken down all barriers. I was enabled to complete the poem with facility and dispatch. A friend aided in putting it into manuscript form. Charles H. Gabriel, to whom the manuscript was sent, returned it with a prophetic statement: “You will hear from this song.” Likewise, when I strummed my guitar and sang it to Reverend and Mrs. Bostwick, upon my return to Michigan, they felt as had Mr. Gabriel, for they said: “God has given you a song that will never die. It has moved us as no other song has ever moved us.”
I hope you will be blessed hearing "The Old Rugged Cross" today.
I pray you will have a blessed Saturday!
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