"Take Up Your Cross," the Savior Said

"Take up your cross," the Savior said,
"if you would my disciple be;
take up your cross with willing heart,
and humbly follow after me."

Take up your cross; let not its weight
fill your weak soul with vain alarm;
his strength shall bear your spirit up,
and brace your heart and nerve your arm.

Take up your cross; nor heed the shame,
and let your foolish pride be still;
your Lord refused not e'en to die
upon a cross, on Calv'ry's hill.

Take up your cross, then, in his strength,
and calmly sin's wild deluge brave;
'twill guide you to a better home,
it points to glory o'er the grave.

Take up your cross, and follow on,
nor think till death to lay it down;
for only he who bears the cross
may hope to wear the glorious crown.