Take up thy cross, the Saviour said

Take up thy cross, the Saviour said,
if thou would’st 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;
The Lord for thee the Cross endured,
to save thy soul from death and hell.

Take up thy cross then in his strength,
and calmly ev’ry danger brave;
‘Twill guide thee to a better home,
and lead to vict’ry o’er the grave.

Take up thy cross, and follow Christ,
Nor think till death to lay it down;
For only he who bears the cross
may hope to wear the glorious crown.

To Thee, great Lord, the One in Three,
all praise for evermore ascend;
O grant us in our Home to see
the heav’nly light that knows no end.