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 str’ngth 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,

To save thy soul from death and hell.

Take up thy cross then in His strength,

And calmly every danger brave;

Twill guide thee to a better home,

And lead to victory 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 Hope to see

The heav’nly life that knows no end.