"ROCK OF AGES"!

I love to learn of the circumstances that inspired the writing of some of our beautiful hymns.  It makes them so much more meaningful when I know the story behind the writing of the hymn.  I trust the story of this wonderful hymn taken from the Congregational Methodist Messenger will be a blessing to you.  

     Many years ago in a barn near Dublin, Ireland a meeting was started.  It was a very discouraging meeting--only a handful of villagers came and only one young boy came forward in response to the invitation.  No one seemed impressed -- it was only Gus!

But "Gus" became a leading minister in the Anglican Church.  He wrote a number of books; he preached thousands of sermons; he wrote 133 hymns, but only one of them has survived the years.  Gus died when he was only 38, but he still influenced probably a few million people!  You will find his full name in just about any hymnal you pick up above or below the hymn that is said to be "the best-known, best-loved, most widely used hymn ever written -- Rock of Ages."

His full name is Augustus Montague Toplady, and his hymn has touched more people than many a poet, scholar, king, or preacher.
Tradition says that he wrote the hymn while taking shelter in a cave during a violent thunderstorm.  That rock, located near Bristol, England, is the center of an annual celebration on November 4, his birthday.
The following incidents illustrate the far-reaching influence of this hymn.

Gladstone, the great statesman of the Victorian era, when he lay dying, was asked what song he would like them to sing to him.  The famous man whispered softly, "Rock of Ages, cleft for me."

Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, was especially fond of the second verse.  As he neared the end, he repeated over and over again:  "In my hand no price I bring: simply to Thy cross I cling."  "You see", he said, "I have had all that my heart could desire -- wealth, honor and fame -- and yet, in this critical hour, how poor I would be if these worldly gifts were the only things on which I could depend."

In England many years ago, mine accidents were quite a frequent occurrence.  After one such accident, it was reported that a number of miners were trapped in one of the shafts.  After two days of searching, the rescuers heard the first signs of life.  They asked if anyone were there.  "Yes", came the faint reply, "but I am trapped.  My feet are crushed under a rock."
"Is anyone else with you"?
"Yes, Jesus is with me.  I first came to know Him through a hymn my mother taught me."  Then through the darkness came a trembling voice singing, "While I draw this fleeting breath."  Those were his last words!  Shortly after, his rescuers found him---a smile on his face---for he had gone to be with the One who had been his Rock for so long.

If you had been with those Armenian Christians who escaped the massacre in Constantinople in 1866, you could have heard the words of this same song float across the Bay of Biscay as the doomed passengers of the sinking ship sang in unison as the ship went down.
Yes, "Rock of Ages" has been sung in the home of the famous; it has been heard wafted through the dark solitude of a mine shaft and it has floated across the waters as hundreds slowly sank to their grave.
    
     "Rock of Ages, cleft for me.  Let me hide myself in Thee.
Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed;
      Be of sin the double cure; Save from wrath and make me pure!

Could my tears forever flow, could my zeal no languor know.
      These for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone!
In my hand no price I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling!

      While I draw this fleeting breath; when my eyes shall close in death.
When I rise to worlds unknown, and behold Thee on Thy throne.
      Rock of Ages, cleft for me.  Let me hide myself in Thee."

My friend, are you anchored in Jesus, the blessed "Rock of Ages" today?