The Old Rugged Cross

 

George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873, into a very modest family. His father, a tavern owner and later a coal miner, passed away during George’s teen years, leaving the youth with tremendous family responsibilities. To that end, he became a coal miner in Iowa, where he spent his childhood.

Bennard's conversion at the age of 22 through the evangelistic ministry of the Salvation Army in Canton, Iowa, led to his ordination and commissioning as a traveling evangelist in 1898. He later became a Methodist evangelist.

In 1910, stepping out in faith, Bennard resigned and began his own itinerant ministry. During the early years of his ministry, Bennard was “praying for a full understanding of the cross and its plan in Christianity.”

Consequently, he spent many hours in study, prayer and meditation, until he could say, “I saw the Christ of the cross as if I were seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form and act out the meaning of redemption.”

The first verse of “The Old Rugged Cross” was completed by Bennard during a series of meetings in Albion, Michigan. Several months later, the remaining three verses were completed in Pokagon, Michigan, where Bennard was leading meetings at a local church.

Sometime later, during a series of meetings, Bennard was heckled incessantly by several youth. Troubled by their disregard for the gospel, he again turned to Scripture to reflect on the work of Christ on the cross.

He returned home with a renewed meaning of the cross etched in his mind and heart. He took the song manuscript and placed it on the kitchen table. In a very short span of time, he was able to rewrite the stanzas with each word falling perfectly into place. He asked his wife to join him in the kitchen. She did so and he joyfully sang his new song. She was very pleased, expressing that the song was great.

He then sent the manuscript to Charles H. Gabriel, in Chicago, asking if he would write the proper chords with the melody line. Gabriel did so and returned the document with the message, “You will hear from this song.”

Bennard traveled with Ed. E. Mieras to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where they held evangelistic meetings at the Friends Church. He performed the song in its entirety for the sponsoring pastor and his wife, Rev. Leroy and Ruby Bostwick, in the living room of the parsonage. The Bostwicks were moved to tears and incorporated the song in the revival service on June 7, 1913. Bennard and Mieras performed it as a duet before a full house with Pearl Torstensen Berg, the organist for the meeting.

Today, that same church building, originally a hops barn, is owned by the non-profit “Old Rugged Cross Foundation” and welcomes thousands of visitors annually. The Friends Community Church in Sturgeon Bay has a garden with a cross on it to commemorate the first singing of the hymn.

The hymn quickly spread throughout the region and came to the attention of the evangelist Billy Sunday, who frequently utilized it in his meetings. Two years later, Bennard sold the copyright of the song for a payment of $500, forgoing future royalties. Upon the renewal of the copyright 28 years later, he received a final payment of $5,000.

Bennard said what I have since heard countless other songwriters say, “I really didn’t write it. I was merely the instrument God used.”

Bennard traveled throughout the Midwest, holding revivals until his retirement in Reed City, Michigan, more than 30 years later.

Loved for its lilting melody and words of personal trust in the cross of Christ, "The Old Rugged Cross" remains one of the most cherished hymns of the Christian faith. It has since been included in numerous hymnals and recordings by contemporary artists.

Verse One

“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff’ring and shame.

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best,

For a world of lost sinners was slain.”

 

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Biblestudytools.com, Clarence L. Haynes Jr: The demonstration of His love leads to this one great act, Christ dying for you and me. The greatest treasure of heaven was sacrificed to win back the worst sinners on earth. That’s why if you ever run into a place where you question just how much God loves you, simply remember the cross. This is the forever reminder and proof of how great God’s love is for you.

Bibleref.com: Christ took that judgment for our sin on Himself on the cross. He suffered and died in our place. Paul insists that we should take that act as evidence of God's great love for us . . . He died for us before we'd ever done anything to deserve that love. It takes love to die willingly for someone else, even if they're a "good" person. But we, those who have been saved, were still sinners, and we weren't going to improve. In truth, we had no hope of avoiding God's judgment before Jesus took it for us.

Verse Two

“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.”

John 19:17

“Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: According to Roman custom Jesus carried His cross from the place of sentencing to the place of crucifixion, the Place of [the] Skull. Before the Romans put a man on a cross, they put the cross on the man, forcing him to carry it in a public procession intended to draw attention to the condemned, his crime, and his fate . . . one could say that the Romans perfected it and made it an institution. It was the form of execution reserved for the worst criminals and the lowest classes. Crucifixion was designed to make the victim die publicly, slowly, with great pain and humiliation. This was the form of death God ordained for Jesus to die, and the death that He submitted to in the will of God.

Verse Three

“In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

Such a wonderful beauty I see.

For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

To pardon and sanctify me.”

Micah 7:18

“Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”

Biblehub.com, Benson Commentary: That is, there is no God like unto Thee . . . That pardons the offences of His people . . . Because it is His nature to delight in pardoning the penitent and communicating blessings . . . He will deliver us not only from the guilt, but also from the power of them, so that they shall not have dominion over us.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: All who find pardoning mercy, cannot but wonder at that mercy; we have reason to stand amazed, if we know what it is. When the Lord takes away the guilt of sin, that it may not condemn us, he will break the power of sin I will not have dominion over us.

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: Thus the Lord has taken the sins of his people off of them, and laid them on Christ, and he has bore them, and carried them away . . . never to be seen and remembered anymore.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: That same God who is the author of peace, the giver of peace; and who has sent, for the redemption of the world, the Prince of peace; may that very God sanctify you wholly; leave no more evil in your hearts than His precepts tolerate evil in your conduct. The word wholly means precisely the same as our phrase, to all intents and purposes. May He sanctify you to the end and to the uttermost, that, as sin hath reigned unto death, even so may grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Verse Four

“To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,

Its shame and reproach gladly bear.

Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,

Where His glory forever I’ll share.”

Romans 8:18

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: This coming glory will not only be revealed to us, but it will actually be revealed in us. God has put this glory into the believer right now. In heaven the glory will simply be revealed.

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: In the light of eternity we should view the cost of suffering with Jesus Christ now as insignificant in view of the glory that lies ahead for us . . . Our glorification is the third and final aspect of our salvation in which God will deliver us from the presence of sin forever.

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."

2 Timothy 4:8

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

Workingpreacher.org, Mark Throntveit: The Lord will give Paul and other believers the crown of righteousness. This reward is not Paul’s to seize. He didn’t earn it, necessarily; but his faithful service buttresses his confidence that the Lord will prove faithful in providing it to all who faithfully await His appearance.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Lifeway.com/Eric Wyse

Umcdiscipleship.org

Independentbaptist.com

Staugustine.com

En.wikipedia.org

Godtube.com

Pbnradio.com, MatureLivingMagazine

By His Grace . . . 

No One Cared For Me Like Jesus

The story behind “No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus” is as touching and powerful as that of many classic Christian hymns. This song originated from the personal struggles of its writer, Charles Frederick Weigle.

Weigle composed this hymn in 1932. He was a Baptist evangelist, preacher, and music teacher from Lafayette, Indiana. He composed over 1,000 gospel songs throughout his life. However, this particular hymn stands out for its story and meaning.

Weigle was born November 20, 1871, into a German-Lutheran family. He had four brothers and seven sisters. His father and mother were devout Christians who led them in family prayer and daily Bible reading.

Weigle gave his life to Christ during a series of revival meetings at the Methodist Church of Lafayette, where his parents had been attending. Several of his friends were also converted during that time. Charles, one of his last peers to give his life to Christ, already had a reputation as a troublemaker. As he tells the testimony of his salvation, he likens that little church to a courtroom where his sins lay bare before the judge. Confronted with the evidence, he had little hope. Then Jesus stepped forward to take the penalty for his sins.

Charles’ testimony exposes a nasty young boy’s temper. He recounts the story of seriously injuring an older brother with a knife, knocking down one of the neighbor boys with a bat, and attacking someone with a heavy dinner bell so severely the victim had to be carried home. His parents warned him many times about the consequences of his violent bursts of anger.

His conversion experience pits a forceful recognition of condemnation of sin with awareness of his deep need for forgiveness. Under conviction of sin, he pictured one after another of those he’d wronged who pronounced him guilty.

Weigle illustrates Jesus’ work in his heart as one who knew the hopeless situation of his soul but as a loving and caring advocate before the high court of heaven. The question came to young Charles within his soul, “Did you do all these things?” Charles responded, “Yes, sir, and a lot of things they don’t even know about.”

Charles’s ministry often took him away from home, leaving his wife and daughter alone. One day, Weigle came home to find his wife had decided to leave him. The strain proved too much for their marriage. She no longer wanted to live the life of an evangelist’s wife. His wife took their daughter and indulged in a life of worldly pleasure.

Weigle fell into a deep depression. The hymn’s title poignantly reflects the despair he’d experienced in those years when he wondered if anyone truly cared. Ministry and songwriting halted. His faith was sorely tried. Three years later, his wife died.

Weigle speaks of coming through years of misery and struggling with a stronger desire to give everything to the Lord. His ministry and music resumed. Overwhelming abundance and joy returned. As he marveled at the blessings of the Lord one day, Charles sat down at his piano and said aloud, “Jesus, no one ever cared for me like You.” He then wrote the song expressing this heartfelt reality in only twenty minutes.

The words of the title had proven true in the life of Charles Weigle. Jesus’ kindness and compassion of Jesus throughout Weigle’s darkness became more real than he had ever known. He found Christ’s love deeper than any he had ever experienced.

It is not difficult to sing when all is going well. But often God gives a special song to one of his hurting children during the night times of their life. Believers find new joy in their nights of sorrow and despair, and they discover a greater closeness with their Lord during times of deep need. The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation while on the barren island of Patmos; John Bunyan completed the classic "Pilgrim’s Progress” while in the Bedford jail; Beethoven composed his immortal 9th Symphony while totally deaf; and Fanny Crosby once remarked, “If I had not lost my sight, I could never have written all the hymns God gave me.”

Verse One

“I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,

Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;

I would tell you how He changed my life completely -

He did something that no other friend could do.”

John 15:12-14

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made know to you.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Jesus described the measure and quality of His love for them, to use as a pattern for the way they [disciples] should love each other. His love is complete and of surpassing greatness, laying down His life . . . Friendship with Jesus can’t be disconnected from obedience to His commands . . . they were friends because Jesus didn’t keep secrets from them, but openly revealed what He had received from God the Father.

James 2:23

“And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend.”

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: He was loved by God with an everlasting love, who showed acts of friendship to him; called him by His grace, and blessed him with spiritual blessings , , , and Abraham readily complied with His will, and not only yielded a cheerful obedience to His commands, but enjoined his children after him to observe them.

Verse Two

“All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me;

All my heart was full of misery and woe;

Jesus placed His strong and loving arms around me,

And He led me in the way I ought to go.”

Deuteronomy 33:27a

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: The everlasting arms of God are underneath, as a foundation for everything. Everything in the universe, all creation, the church, the individual believer – all built on a firm foundation, with God’s everlasting, strong, arms underneath. They are also underneath the believer as a place of rest. Our Father’s arms are a perfect pillow, giving perfect rest. We can put all our weight on these strong arms, leaning heavily on them . . . “They are arms which always were, and always will be; arms which always were strong, and never will grow faint or weary; arms which once outstretched will never be drawn back again; arms which once engaged for the defense of the chosen people shall never cease to work for their good world without end. Not failing arms, nor dying arms, but everlasting arms, are underneath the saints of God.” (Spurgeon)

Verse Three

“Every day He comes to me with new assurance,

More and more I understand His words of love;

But I'll never know just why He came to save me,

Till someday I see His blessed face above.”

Hebrews 10:22

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: Being fully persuaded that God will accept us for the sake of His Son, and that the sacrificial death of Christ gives us full authority to expect every blessing we need.

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: The “full assurance of faith” means unwavering confidence; a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. Christians are permitted to come thus because God has revealed Himself through the Redeemer as in every way deserving their fullest confidence. No one approaches God in an acceptable manner who does not come to Him in this manner. 

Refrain

“No one ever cared for me like Jesus;

There's no other friend so kind as He;

No one else could take the sin and darkness from me -

O how much He cared for me!”

1 Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: God concerns Himself in the affairs of His servants, and in whatsoever befalls them, and takes diligent care that no good thing be wanting to them.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: Whatever things concern a follower of God, whether they be spiritual or temporal, or whether in themselves great or small, God concerns Himself with them; what affects them affects Him; in all their afflictions He is afflicted. He who knows that God care for him, need have no anxious cares about himself. This is a plain reference to Psalms 55:22: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain thee. He will bear both thee and thy burden."

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: The meaning is, that we are to commit our whole cause to Him. If we suffer heavy trials; if we lose our friends, health, or property; if we have arduous and responsible duties to perform; if we feel that we have no strength, and are in danger of being crushed by what is laid upon us, we may go and cast all upon the Lord; that is, we may look to Him for grace and strength, and feel assured that He will enable us to sustain all that is laid upon us. He will enable us to bear with ease what we supposed we could never have done; and the burden which He lays upon us will be light.

This hymn became popular almost immediately after it appeared in the 1930s, but even more so after the rich bass-baritone of George Beverly Shea sang it at Billy Graham’s evangelistic meetings. Thousands heard the song. Captivated by the words highlighted in the title, the simple truth resonated with its hearers.

The words of the title proved true in the life of Weigle. Each of us can confidently say: no one cared for me like Jesus.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Faithpot.com

Christianity.com

Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace

By His Grace . . .

I Know Whom I Have Believed

Daniel Webster Whittle was named after the great American politician Daniel Webster who was greatly admired by Whittle's father. His father had heard Daniel Webster, the great statesman, make a stirring speech. Daniel Webster in this speech said, "It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment --- independence now and independence forever!"

Those words would inspire Whittle’s parents to name him after Daniel Webster in hopes that he would become a great leader in the fight for freedom. His mother is said to have been a godly woman who instilled in him and his three brothers’ strong Christian principles. He was born in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, on November 22, 1840. Little is known of his childhood.

Whittle worked as a cashier for Wells Fargo Bank as a teenager and into his early twenties. He surrendered his life to the Lord one night while acting as a night watchman there. He went into the vault, got down on his knees and surrendered his life to the Heavenly Father to use as He would.

He became the Sunday School Superintendent at the Greater Tabernacle Cathedral in Chicago where he would meet his wife, Miss Abbie Hanson, and marry her before he left for the war. It would be a year before they would be reunited.

He enlisted in the military and eventually advanced to the rank of Major. He was sent to fight in the American Civil War in 1861. During the war he was seriously injured and captured as a prisoner of war. Due to the injury, he had to have his arm amputated above the arm.

Coming from a religious family one would have expected these incidents to have made him seek the Lord more. Sad to say, that did not happen to him; he had lost his passion for Christianity. However, his mother shed tears and prayed with him before he left for the war, and “she placed a New Testament in a pocket of the haversack that she’d arranged for me.” he said.

This little New Testament would play a vital part in his rededication. It was while he was in the POW camp that out of boredom he began to search for something to read. He found in his personal effects the little New Testament that his mother had placed there. He read through the New Testament in a matter of days and started through it again.

While a POW, a nurse begged Major Whittle to go pray with a boy that was dying, and the nurse admitted being touched by watching Whittle read the Scriptures and not cuss. The nurse admitted the boy was a wicked man, to which Whittle replied that he was also wicked.

The soldier had been pleading with the nurse to pray for him before he died. They found out, that the dying soldier had strayed away from the Lord and had no relationship with Him but wanted to come back to Christ. Daniel told the nurse that he wasn’t the right person to pray for the young man. Finally, after much pleading, Daniel decided to go and pray with this young man.

Here, in Major Whittle’s own words, is what took place that night: “I dropped on my knees and held the boy’s hand in mine. In a few broken words I confessed my sins and asked Christ to forgive me. I believed right there that He did forgive me. I then prayed earnestly for the boy. He became quiet and pressed my hand as I prayed and pleaded God’s promises. When I arose from my knees, he was dead. A look of peace had come over his troubled face, and I cannot but believe that God who used him to bring me to the Savior, used me to lead him to trust Christ’s precious blood and find pardon. I hope to meet him in heaven.”

“I Know Whom I Have Believed” was given the tune name EL NATHAN. The tune was written by a prominent music publisher and gospel song composer, James McGranahan (1840-1907). He was a talented and cultured American musician who was gifted with a rare tenor voice and studied for years with eminent teachers who urged him to train for a career in opera.

McGranahan was friends with Philip Bliss who was an accomplished hymnist. Bliss encouraged McGranahan to “Strike into the grain to reap for the Master . . . to reap for the Master . . . to reap for the Master!” McGranahan was touched by Bliss’ words and decided to yield his life, his talents, his all to the service of His Savior.

Verse One

“I know not why God’s wondrous grace,

To me He hath made known.

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love,

Redeemed me for His own.”

Job 40:4

“I am unworthy—how can I reply to You? I put my hand over my mouth.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: "Instead of being able to argue my [Job] cause, and to vindicate myself as I had expected, I now see that I am guilty, and I have nothing to say.” Job had argued boldly with his friends. He had, before them, maintained his innocence of the charges which they brought against him, and had supposed that he would be able to maintain the same argument before God. But when the opportunity was given, he felt that he was a poor, weak man; a guilty and miserable offender.

Luke 1:68

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come to his people and redeemed them.”

Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: God's plan of redemption was foreordained in the heavenly council chambers before the foundation of the world. The promises made to Eve and Abraham about their Seed, the covenant God made with His people Israel through Moses, the promise that a Man would sit on the throne of David eternally, and the numerous prophecies that foretold of the coming Messiah, were all to be accomplished. And John, the son of Zacharias the priest, was to be forerunner to the prophesied Messiah who was to visit and accomplish redemption for His people, Israel . . . May we be those whose faith is established and anchored to the facts of Scripture, for when faith is founded on God's unchangeable Word, we know ALL that He has promised WILL be completed, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Verse Two

“I know not how this saving faith,

To me He did impart.

Nor how believing in His Word,

Wrought peace within my heart.”

John 10:9

“I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture.”

Bibleref.com: Sheep pens in Jesus' era were constructed with a single, narrow opening. This allowed the gatekeeper to control which animals got in or out. When allowed by the gatekeeper, shepherds could call to their flocks, who would respond only to the voice of their own shepherd. Jesus has used this well-known concept to explain His ministry to His religious critics . . . Jesus claims "I am the door." So far as this metaphor goes, Jesus means He is the gatekeeper—the person who controls access to the pen. He is also the opening, the single means by which the sheep can move in or out . . . It is only through the door that the sheep can "be saved."

Verse Three

“I know not how the Spirit moves,

Convincing men of sin.

Revealing Jesus through the Word,

Creating faith in Him.”

Acts 5:32

“We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: We obey GOD; and therefore God gives us this Spirit, which is in us a fountain of light, life, love, and power. The Spirit of God is given to the obedient: in proportion as a man who has received the first influences of it; is obedient to those influences, in the same proportion the gifts and graces, the light, life, and power, of the Holy Spirit, are increased in his soul.

Verse Five

“I know not when my Lord may come,

At night or noonday fair.

Nor if I walk the vale with Him,

Or meet Him in the air.”

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: The delay should be regarded as a proof of His forbearance, and of His desire that all human beings should be saved . . . God’s nature is benevolent, and He sincerely desires the eternal happiness of all, and His patience toward sinners “proves” that He is willing that they should be saved.

Refrain

“But I know Whom I have believed,

And am persuaded that He is able,

To keep that which I’ve committed,

Unto Him against that day.”

2 Timothy 1:12

“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: A spiritual knowledge of Christ is necessary to faith in Him . . .  Knowledge and faith go together: they that truly know Christ, believe in Him, and the more they know Him, the more strongly do they believe in Him . . . and they know Whom they trust, what an able, willing, suitable, and complete Savior He is. This knowledge which they have of Him, is not from themselves, but from the Father, who reveals Him to them, and in them; and from Himself, who gives them an understanding that they may know Him.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

The Hymns Facebook Page

DianaleaghMatthews.com

churchchoirmusic.com

By His Grace . . .

Take My Life and Let It Be

 

Frances Ridley Havergal was born into an Angelican family, at Astley in Worcestershire, December 14, 1836. Her father, William Havergal was a clergyman, writer, composer, and hymnwriter and her mother was Jane Head Havergal. Her brother, Henry Havergal was a priest in the Church of England and an organist. As a child she was called “little quicksilver.”

Havergal's spiritual journey began early in her life, memorizing passages in the Bible at age 4 and writing verse by age seven. When she was five, her family moved to the Rectory of St. Nicholas, Worcester. Her mother died when Francis was eleven.

In August 1850, she entered Mrs. Teed's school, who had a strong influence on her. In the following year she says, "I committed my soul to the Savior, and earth and heaven seemed brighter from that moment." A short sojourn in Germany followed. Havergal's scholastic acquirements were extensive, embracing several modern languages, together with Greek and Hebrew.

Havergal is described as a brilliant pianist and said to have such a lovely voice, that she was often in demand as a soloist. But she considered all her talents to be only loans from the Lord, to be used in His service.

In 1860, she left Worcester upon her father resigning the Rectory of St. Nicholas and resided at different periods in Leamington and at Caswell Bay, Swansea, broken by visits to Switzerland, Scotland, and North Wales. She led a quiet life, supporting the Church Missionary Society.

Although hymnist Havergal, thirty-six, had served the Lord for years, she felt something was missing in her Christian experience. Then one day in 1873, she received a little book called "All For Jesus," which stressed the importance of making Christ the King of every corner and cubicle of one’s life. Soon thereafter she made a fresh and complete consecration of herself to Christ.

She said, "it lifted my whole life into sunshine, of which all I had previously experienced was but as pale as passing April gleams, compared with the fullness of summer glory."

Years later when asked about it she replied: “Yes it was on Advent Sunday, December 2, 1873. I first saw clearly the blessedness of true consecration. I saw it as a flash of electric light, and what you see you can never un-see. There must be full surrender before there can be full blessedness.”

This is the account in her own words about writing this hymn:

"I went for a little visit of five days [to Areley House]. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted, but not rejoicing Christians. He gave me the prayer, ‘Lord, give me all in this house!’ And He just did. Before I left the house everyone had got a blessing. The last night of my visit after I had retired, the governess asked me to go to the two daughters. They were crying, etc.; then and there both of them trusted and rejoiced; it was nearly midnight. I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration; and these little couplets formed themselves, and chimed in my heart one after another till they finished with 'Ever, Only, ALL for Thee!'"

In the years that followed, Frances frequently used this hymn in her own devotions, especially every December 2, on the anniversary of her consecration.

On another occasion she was praying over the stanza that says, “Take my voice and let me sing, always only for my King.” She felt she should give up her secular concerts. Her beautiful voice was in demand, and she frequently sang with the Philharmonic. But from that moment, her lips were exclusively devoted to the songs of the Lord.

The line “Take my silver and my gold” was also sincerely phrased. At one time Havergal gathered together her many fine pieces of jewelry and other family heirlooms and shipped them to the church missionary house to be used for evangelizing the lost. Nearly fifty articles were sent with “extreme delight.”

Havergal died at the age of 42. She is buried in the far western corner of the churchyard at St Peter's Parish Church, Astley, together with her father, and near her sister, Maria V. G. Havergal.

Her hymns praised the love of God, and His way of salvation to this end, and for this object, her whole life and all her powers were consecrated. She lived and spoke in every line of her poetry.

Verse One

“Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord to Thee.

Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in endless praise,

Let them flower in endless praise.”

Psalm 90:14

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: Those who love God should therefore seek God’s wisdom, so that they might use their short lives in the best way possible. Since the psalmist wants to live his life wisely, he asks for God’s help. Then sorrow will be replaced by joy, and his life will become one of fruitful service for God. 

Verse Two

“Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee,

Swift and beautiful for Thee.”

Romans 10:15

“And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”

Bibleref.com: How will anyone call on Jesus – express saving faith in Him – unless they first believe in Him? And how will they believe in Him if they never hear about Him? And how will they hear about Him if nobody preaches the gospel to them?

Verse Three

“Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King.

Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee,

Filled with messages from Thee.”

Hebrews 13:15

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Praise that pleases God is the fruit of our lips, more than just thoughts directed towards God. It is spoken out unto the Lord, either in prose or in song. “What proceeds from the lips is regarded as fruit, which reveals the character of its source, as the fruit of a tree reveals the nature of the tree.” (Guthrie) Loving hearts must speak . . . so, then, we are to utter the praise of God.

Verse Four

“Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect and use every power as Thou shalt choose,

Every power as Thou shalt choose.”

Psalm 119:72

“The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.”

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: The word of God, the doctrines contained in it; which, coming out of the mouth of God, and spoken by Him, carries in it weight and authority, commands reverence and respect; and ought to be considered as indeed the Word of God and not of man; and so of more value than thousands of pieces of gold and silver; or, as the Targum, than a thousand talents of gold and silver. The truths and doctrines of the Word of God are not only comparable to gold and silver for their intrinsic worth and value; but are preferable to them, and to be received before them.

Verse Five

“Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne,

It shall be Thy royal throne.”

Romans 7:25

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Paul looks outside of himself and unto Jesus. As soon as he looks to Jesus, he has something to thank God for – and he thanks God through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . Through means that Paul sees Jesus standing between himself and God, bridging the gap and providing the way to God. Lord means Paul has put Jesus in the right place—as Lord and master of his life.

Proverbs 4:4

"Then he taught me, and He said to me, ‘Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.’”

Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: The writer instructs his sons by passing on teaching that his own father once gave him. The main point of that teaching was that, more than anything else, he was to get wisdom and insight. The first step in getting wisdom is the desire for it. Once obtained, wisdom will bring into the life of the possessor a new measure of security, honor and beauty. By living according to God’s wisdom, people will have true freedom, and at the same time will be morally upright. In addition to reminding themselves constantly of the instruction they have received, the disciples must keep their heart and mind, their whole inner person, in a state of moral and spiritual good health.

Verse Six

“Take my love; my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee,

Ever only, all for Thee.”

John 12:26

“Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: Let us search whether Christ be in us; let us beg Him to make us indifferent to the trifling concerns of this life, that we may serve the Lord Jesus with a willing mind, and follow His holy example.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: For my Father, with whom I am one in nature and essence, will honor those that are My servants; so great a thing it is to be a servant to the Son of God. The Father will honor those that are so, and especially those who are so in suffering, with eternal life and felicity.

Havergal is referred to as the "consecration poet," as she strived to live a life fully dedicated to Christ and to those she saw in any physical or spiritual need. May we all strive to live such a life.

 I am indebted to the following resources:

GodTube Staff

Dianaleighmatthew.com

En.wikipedia.org

Robert J. Morgan, Then Sings My Soul, Special Edition

Havergaltrust.com

Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace

By His Grace . . .