Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-01-06
M0RAI &,REhTGfOTIS
Origin of the Hymn Rock of Ages"

There is one hymn to be found in
nearly every general collection which
has been published during the past
sixty years, and its general adoption
will indicate that it is a great favorite.
Whether in the solitude of the study
or the loneliness of the forest, in the
humble prayer-meeting or in the great
congregation, in the social circle or in
the Sabbath school, we have, under all
these varied circumstances, heard that
hymn sung. The first line is, Crock
Of Ages, cleft for me-" Ten thousand
times has that hymn been sung, and
yet probably not one in thousand
has ever noticed the peculiarity of it's
phraseology. Jesus Christ is here ad-
dressed as the Rock Of Ages. The
title is peculiar-it is singular The
expression is not Scriptural; it appears
to have been first used in "Songs of
Praise to Almighty God" by John Nit
son, of Water Stratford "From ever
lasting to eV erlasting Thou art God"
is applied to the Divine Being. Chas.
Wesley had, some years previous, pub
lished in his volume of hymns one
winch commenced thus
"Rock of Israel cleft for me-"
but, whether Mr. Toplady desired on
ly to vary the expression by adapti
something of synonymous term, we
are left only to conjecture. The hymn
has become a general favorite. It's
plalntlve words have reverberated in
the clustered cell, in the monastic
chapel, in the quiet closet, and in the
sick chamber. 1t has charmed the be-
lever, in the public service in the great
congregation, as well as when sung in
solitude by the quiet wayside during
an evening walk.
The most popular hymns written by
Toplady were those he composed in his
later years. Crock of A ges" is one
of them. Toplady became editor of
the Gospel Magazine in 1775, but re-
lnquished that Office through illness in
l776. In that volume Crock of Ages"
first appeared. It's title is, "a living
and dying Prayer for the Hottest Be-
lever in the World" The allusion is
to the idea Of progressive sanctifca-
ton, or christian perfection, held and
preached by John Wesley, and Topla-
dy's evident intention is to render
some of the petitions of the hymn un-
necessary for such persons The ho-
hest believer referred to was John
Wesley, so that this truly fine and sub
lime hymn was intended as carica
ture OF John Wesley and one of his
doctrines How wide of the mark has
been the result Most of the versions
of that hymn are both abridged and
altered. To what extent those alter
ations are carried we give our readers
an opportunity Of Judging, as we here
furnish correct reprint of the origin
al. 1t will be seen by comparison, that
words are altered and lines transposed
in a most unwarrantable manner:
Greek of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in theei
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riyen side which flowed
Be Of SIN the double cure,
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
"Not the Iabors of my hands
Can fulfill thy laws demands
Could my zeal no respite know,
Gould my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone:
Thou must save, and thou alone.
"Nothing in my hand l bring
Simply to thy cross / cling:
Naked. come TO thee for dress.
Helpless look TO thee for grace;
Foul, to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or die.
"Whilst draw this feeting breath,
When my eyeStrings break in death,
When soar through tracts unknown,
See thee on thy Judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee"