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In this post we are going to find out the history of the Christian hymn, Rock of Ages Cleft
For Me. I will also provide the lyrics and a video featuring this famous hymn.
THE author, the Rev. Augustus M. Toplady, bitterly opposed the doctrines preached by
the Wesleys, who lived at the same time, but his sincere Christian piety produced this
great Christian hymn, that has become endeared to many generations of Wesleyan
followers.
Years ago the steamer Sewanhaka burned at sea. One of the Fisk Jubilee singers was
aboard. Before jumping into the sea he fastened life preservers on himself and his wife;
but someone snatched hers away from her. In the water, however, she put her hands on
his shoulders and thus kept afloat until, almost exhausted; she said to her husband, “I
cannot hold on any longer!” “Try a little longer,” begged the agonized husband. “Let us
sing Rock of Ages.”
And as the hymn rang out over the waves, others almost sinking took up the strains of the
pleading prayer to God. The hymn seemed to give new strength to many in that desperate
hour. By and by a boat was seen approaching, and as it came nearer the singing was
renewed until with superhuman efforts they laid hold upon the lifeboats and were carried
to safety. The singer, in telling this story himself, declared that he believed this hymn had
saved many lives, besides his own and his wife’s, in that dreadful disaster.
Augustus
Toplady
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2 Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law’s demands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.
Related Posts:
Christian & Adventist Music: Spirit of the Living God, Great Is The Lord, I Know Who
Holds Tomorrow etc
“He’s Having The Time of My Life” : Contemporary Christian Music by Darrell Marshall
Please share this sweet hymn, Rock of Ages Cleft For Me, with your friends and family.
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