Prayers and Reflections for the Season of Lent. Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia. All Rights Reserved.

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"I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Cor 2:2)

One of the most popular of twentieth-century hymns, "The Old Rugged Cross" was written by Rev. George Bennard in 1913, who also composed the tune. He wrote it after a "trying experience" had caused him to reflect seriously about the significance of the Cross. This beautiful hymn brings home the truth of the Cross to us: of God's love in the midst of pain; of His victory in the midst of defeat; of the cost of our forgiveness; and of the assurance of our salvation.

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.

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.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For t'was on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me.

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.

Chorus:

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.

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THE OLD RUGGED CROSS - MIDI FILE

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Picture of the Cross:
Courtesy: www.freefoto.com