I THE Son of God goes forth to war,
A kingly crown to gain;
His blood-red banner streams afar :
Who follows in His train?
Who best can drink His cup of woe,
Triumphant over pain,
Who patient bears His cross below,
He follows in His train.
2 The martyr first, whose eagle eye
Could pierce beyond the grave,
Who saw his Master in the sky,
And called on Him to save:
Like Him, with pardon on His tongue,
In midst of mortal pain,
He prayed for them that did the
Who follows in his train?
3 A glorious band, the chosen few
On whom the Spirit came,
Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
And mocked the cross and flame: They met the tyrant's brandished steel,
The lion's gory mane;
They bowed their necks the death to feel:
Who follows in their train?
4 A noble army, men and boys,
The matron and the maid,
Around the Saviour's throne rejoice,
In robes of light arrayed:
They climbed the steep ascent of
heaven
Through peril, toil, and pain: O God, to us may grace be given
To follow in their train!
I HEIRS of an immortal crown,
Heed not every foeman's frown,
Tread the powers of darkness down,
Through Jehovah's might:
Though they oft in wrath arise,
Like the tempest of the skies,
He can fill them with surprise,
From His heavenly height.
2 Jesus calls you from His throne !
On, ye faithful soldiers, on,
Till the victory be won
Over all your foes!
Well can He their madness quell,
For their hateful kingdom fell,
Vanquished were the powers of hell,
When from death He rose.
3 Thou, O Christ, our Leader art!
Strengthen every fainting heart,
Quench Thou every fiery dart,
By Thy power divine:
Be Thy cross our banner high,
Be Thy name our battle-cry,
Till we shout through earth and sky,
Victory is Thine!
I SAINTS for whom the Saviour bled, In your Captain's footsteps tread; Follow Jesus, and be led
See your foemen take the ground;
While the signal trumpets sound,
Hear His accents pour around
Cheering melody.
2 Christian soldier, on with me!
Soon your enemies must flee;
Your reward before you see
Sparkling from on high!
Boldly take the glorious field;
You may fall, but must not yield;
You shall write upon your shield
Victory, though you die!
3 By the ransom which He gave,
By His triumph o'er the grave,
Trust His mighty power to save ;
Firm and faithful be:
And when death's dark hour is nigh,
When the tear-drop dims the eye,
You shall, in the parting sigh,
I FEAR not, O little flock, the foe
Who madly seeks your overthrow;
Dread not his rage and power;
What though your courage sometimes faints!
This seeming triumph o'er God's saints
Lasts but a little hour.
2 Fear not! be strong! your cause belongs
To Him who can avenge your wrongs;
Leave all to Him, your Lord;
Though hidden yet from mortal eyes,
Salvation shall for you arise;
He girdeth on His sword.
3 As sure as God's own promise stands,
Not earth, nor hell, with all their bands,
Against us shall prevail:
The Lord shall mock them from His throne ;
God is with us, we are His own;
Our victory cannot fail.
4 Amen! Lord Jesus, grant our prayer; Great Captain! now Thine arm make bare,
Thy church with strength defend :
So shall all saints and martyrs raise
A joyful chorus to Thy praise
Through ages without end!
I BREAST the wave, Christian, when it is strongest ;
Watch for day, Christian, when night is longest :
Onward and onward still be thine endeavor;
The rest that remaineth, endureth forever.
2 Fight the fight, Christian; Jesus is o'er thee;
Run the race, Christian; heaven is before thee:
He who hath promised faltereth never;
Oh trust in the love that endureth forever.
3 Lift the eye, Christian, just as it closeth ;
Raise the heart, Christian, ere it reposeth:
Nothing thy soul from the Saviour shall sever;
Soon shalt thou mount upward to praise Him forever.
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I FLOODS Swell around me-angry, appalling!
Billows go o'er me, deep to deep calling!
Helpless, dejected, o'erwhelmed, broken-hearted—
O God of my life, is thy mercy departed?
2 Faith is o'erclouded, courage is failing,
Hope dies within me, doubts are prevailing,
Conscience upbraids me, and Satan accuses,
While Jesus the tokens of favor refuses.
3 Oh, by Thy fasting and bitter temptation!
Oh, by Thy passion, the price of salvation!
Mighty Redeemer, of help the sole Giver,
Now hasten, oh hasten, my soul to deliver!
4 Glory to God! He regardeth my crying;
Life hath He sent to the soul sick and dying;
Hope once again in my bosom is springing;
All praise to Jehovah, with gladness and singing!
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