Please visit Spiritual Sunday to fill your heart with joy.
George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, soon after the Civil War ended. His father was a coal miner, The family moved to Iowa, and George came to Christ through the ministry of the Salvation Army. He hoped to train for the ministry, but his plans changed when his father died leaving him responsible for his mother and sisters.
Eventually George moved to Chicago, married and began in ministry with the Salvation Army. Later he was ordained by the Methodist Episcopal church and became a traveling evangelist.
George prayed to fully understand the meaning of the Cross, and during this time of prayer and study the theme of this hymn came to him. It took him a while to finish, but when he did, his friends Reverend and Mrs. Boswick were so moved that they helped pay the fee to have it printed. It soon was appearing in hymnbooks across America.
Eventually George moved to Chicago, married and began in ministry with the Salvation Army. Later he was ordained by the Methodist Episcopal church and became a traveling evangelist.
George prayed to fully understand the meaning of the Cross, and during this time of prayer and study the theme of this hymn came to him. It took him a while to finish, but when he did, his friends Reverend and Mrs. Boswick were so moved that they helped pay the fee to have it printed. It soon was appearing in hymnbooks across America.
