TAKE UP THY CROSS

A HYMN FOR QUINQUAGESIMA

“Take up thy cross,” the Saviour said,

“If thou wouldst my disciple be;

Deny thyself, the world forsake,

And humbly follow after me.”

Take up thy cross, let not its weight

Fill thy weak spirit with alarm;

His strength shall bear thy spirit up,

And brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.

Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,

Nor let thy foolish pride rebel;

Thy Lord for thee the cross endured,

And saved thy soul from death and hell.

Take up thy cross then in his strength,

And calmly sin’s wild deluge brave,

‘Twill guide thee to a better home,

It points to glory o’er the grave.

Take up thy cross and follow Christ,

Nor think til death to lay it down;

For only those who bear the cross

May hope to wear the glorious crown.

To thee, great Lord, the One in Three,

All praise forevermore ascend;

O grant us in our home to see

The heavenly life that knows no end.

William Charles Everest, 1833