Onward, Christians, onward go!
Fight the fight, maintain the strife,
Strengthened with the Bread of Life.
Onward, Christians, onward go!
Join the war, and face the foe;
Will ye flee in danger's hour?
Know ye not your Captain's power?
Let your drooping hearts be glad;
March, in heavenly armour clad;
Fight, nor think the battle long ;
Soon shall victory wake your song.
Let not sorrow dim your eye ;
Soon shall every tear be dry :
Let not fears your course impede ;
Great your strength, if great your need.
Onward then to battle move ;
More than conquerors ye shall prove :
Though opposed by many a foe,
Christian soldiers, onward go!
169
FIGHT the good fight with all thy might,
Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right; Lay hold on life and it shall be Thy joy and crown eternally. Run the straight race through God's good grace, Lift up thine eyes,
and seek His face ;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.
Cast care aside, lean on thy guide;
His boundless mercy will provide ;
Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life, and Christ its love.
Faint not nor fear, His arms are near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear;
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.
170
TAKE my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee :
Take my moments and my days ;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love :
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take
my
voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King :
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my will, and make it Thine ;
It shall be no longer mine :
Take my heart, it is Thine own ;
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store :
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
ARK! angelic voices,
High o'er earth and sea,
Call the heir of glory,
Call him to be free.
Loyal-hearted soldier,
Reckon not the loss ;
Christ the Leader calls thee,
Warrior of the Cross.
Speed the brave endeavour,
Battle with the wrong ;
Satan's hosts surround thee,
Christian heart, be strong.
Hark! angelic voices,
High o'er earth and sea,
Call each ransomed brother,
Lord, to follow Thee.
172
HRISTIAN, seek not yet repose ;
Cast thy
dreams of ease away :
Thou art in the midst of foes ;
Watch and pray.
Gird thy heavenly armour on,
Wear it ever, night and day :
Ambushed lies the evil one ;
Watch and pray.
Hear the victors who o'ercame;
Still they mark each warrior's way ;
All with one sweet voice exclaim
* Watch and pray.' First and chiefest, hear thy Lord,
Him thou lovest to obey ;
Hide within thy heart His word,
• Watch and pray.' Watch, as if on thee alone
Hung the issue of the day :
Pray, and all thy weakness own;
Watch and pray.
G forward, Christian soldier !
O
Beneath His banner true :
The Lord Himself, thy Leader,
Shall all thy foes subdue.
His love foretells thy trials;
He knows thine hourly need ;
He can with bread of heaven
Thy fainting spirit feed.
Go, forward, Christian soldier !
Fear not the secret foe; Far more o'er thee are watching
Than human eyes can know : Trust only Christ, thy Captain ; Cease not to watch and
pray ; Heed not the treacherous voices
That lure thy soul astray. Go forward, Christian soldier !
Nor dream of peaceful rest, Till Satan's host is vanquished,
And heaven is all possessed ; Till Christ Himself shall call thee
To lay thine armour by, And wear in endless glory
The crown of victory.
Go forward, Christian soldier !
Fear not the gathering night : The Lord has been thy shelter ;
The Lord will be thy light.
When morn His face revealeth,
Thy dangers all are past :
Oh! pray that faith and virtue
Uphold thee to the last.
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