Take up your cross, the Savior said,
If you would my disciple be;
Deny yourself, the world forsake, If you would my disciple be;
And humbly follow after me.
Take you your cross, let not its weight
Fill your weak spirit with alarm;
His strength shall bear your spirit up,
Shall brace your heart and never your arm.
Take up your cross, then in his strength,
And ever'y danger calmly brave,
To guide you to a better home,
And vict'ry over death and grave.
Take up your 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 you, great Lord, the One in three,
All praise for evermore ascend;
O grant us here below to see
The heav'nly life that knows no end.
Charles William Everest