SONG STUDY (29) LOVE DIVINE ALL LOVES EXCELLING Charles Wesley Often called the"best hymn in the English Language. Our recommended video has the best hymn sung to the best tune. 1 Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down; Fix in us thy humble dwelling; All thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation; Enter every trembling heart. 2 Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit, Into every troubled breast! Let us all in Thee inherit; Let us find thy promised rest. Take away our love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be; End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty. 3 Come, Almighty to deliver, Let us all Thy grace receive; Suddenly return and never, Never more Thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above, Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love. 4
SONG STUDY (28) THE OLD RUGGED CROSS George Bennard “The inspiration came to me one day in 1913, when I was staying in Albion, Michigan. I began to write “The Old Rugged Cross.” I composed the melody first. The words that I first wrote were imperfect. The words of the finished hymn were put into my heart in answer to my own need. Shortly thereafter it was introduced at special meetings in Pokagon, Michigan on June 7, 1913. The first occasion where it was heard outside of the church at Pokagon was at the Chicago Evangelistic Institute. There it was introduced before a large convention and soon it became extremely popular throughout the country.” 1 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. 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 excha