Augustus Montague Toplady was born on November 4, 1740 at Farnham, Surrey, England. His father, Richard Toplady was probably from Enniscorthy, County Wexford in Ireland. Richard was a commissioned officer in the Royal Marines in 1739. Two years later he had reached the rank of Major. In May of 1741, shortly after Augustus birth, Richard participated in the Battle of “Cartagena de Indias.” This was the most significant Battle of the “War of Jenkins’ Ear.” It was during this battle, that Richard died. He was not killed in battle but died with “yellow fever.” This left Augustus’ mother Catherine to raise him alone.
Catherine took Augustus and moved from Farnham to Westminster. Augustus attended school here form 1750-1755. He was fifteen years old when he finished this school. In 1755 Catherine and Augustus moved to Ireland and Augustus enrolled at Trinity College in Dublin. In 1756 Augustus attended a service in a barn and heard a sermon preached by Rev. James Morris, a follower of John Wesley. The meeting was the turning point in Augustus life. This is when he felt the call of God and he surrendered his life to Christ.
Since he was raised under a Calvinistic doctrine, he was torn between the Calvinistic Church and the Methodist Church. Rev. James Morris, who led him to the Lord, was Methodist. He was 18 years old when in 1758 when he read Thomas Manton’s Seventeenth Century sermon on John 17. This convinced Toplady that Calvinism was the correct religion to follow.
Following his graduation from college, he and his Mother moved back to Westminster. Once there, he met with several Calvinist ministers including George Whitefield, John Gill and others to discuss his future in the church.
In 1762 Toplady was ordained as an Anglican Deacon and was assigned as “Curate” of Blagdon, located in the Mendip Hills of Somerset. Two years later in 1764 he was promoted to Priest. Fourteen years later in 1776, two years before his death he wrote this beautiful hymn, “Rock of Ages.” He wrote three other hymns, but they were never as popular as this one.
After he left the Methodist Church, John Wesley had some bitter words for him. Wesley called Augustus a “Chimney Sweep” and a “Coxcomb.” Augustus retaliated; he called Wesley “Pope John” and said he was guilty of Satanic Shamelessness. They were both Preachers but continued to feud in the open about their differences. The main reason for the controversy was the doctrine of Predestination, and whether perfection can ever be reached in this life.
“Rock of Ages” has such a universal message, that the controversy that inspired it has been forgotten. This hymn has such a statement of faith that it has become the favorite of Kings and common people alike all over the world. Augustus Toplady died at age 38 from Tuberculosis. He was never married although he had dated two different ladies before his death.
The composer of the tune for this hymn was Thomas Hastings. Thomas was born October 15, 1784 in Washington, Connecticut. His family moved to Clinton, New York when he was a young boy. He was always interested in music, and was self-taught. He founded and he taught at music schools, as he grew older in New York. He teamed up with Lowell Mason in 1831 and they produced a hymnbook titled “Spiritual Songs”. This book included this well-known hymn, “Rock of Ages”. This was Thomas’s best known and best loved hymn that he composed the music for.
From 1832 until his death, Hastings trained choirs and taught religious music throughout his area. He wrote almost 1000 hymn tunes and 600 complete hymns of his own. Without Thomas Hastings, church music as we know it today, would not exist. This hymn has always been used as a funeral hymn, and was sung at William Gladstone’s funeral in Westminster Abbey, London, England. It was also sung at the request of Prince Albert of Britain on his deathbed. American President Benjamin Harrison requested it be sung at his funeral because it was his favorite hymn and the only one he ever tried to sing. Many, many more dignitaries have requested that “Rock of Ages” be sung at their funeral.
Rock Of Ages
Verse 1 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.
Verse 2 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 the cross I cling.
Verse 3 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.
Stories Behind The Hymns is written by Warren Shiver of Biscoe, NC. Shiver has been fascinated with the true stories behind the hymns since he was a 12-year old attending East Gaffney Baptist Church in Gaffney, S.C. He began studying the stories behind the hymns in 1957. Warren has wrote two books, the first is a 300-page soft back, 104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories Vol. 1 costs $14.95, the second book, 340-page soft back, 104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories Vol. 2 costs $16.95. You may buy both books for $25.00. Warren may be reached by email at wshiver99@embarqmail.com, or by mail at PO Box 775, Biscoe, NC.27209, you may also purchase the books on his website www.myfavoritehymnstories.com. Shipping for both books is $4.00, for one book $3.00. If you would like for Warren to come speak at your church, Sunday school class or any meeting you may contract him at 910-428-9911 or 910-428-4078.
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By Warren Shiver
