It's quite common.

No, there isn't any place called Rock of Ages.

It refers--that is, I believe--why, you see the thing is figurative--that is, a kind of picture of things.

It refers to the Deity." "O! Who is that ?" asked the girt.
"Why--God." He tried to say it as if he had been telling her it was Mr.
Smith or Mr.Jones, but somehow the sound of the word on his lips thus shocked him.

He did not know how to go on.