_Faithfulness._
When Jesus comes to reward his servants, Whether it be noon or night, Faithful to him will he find us watching, With our lamps all trimmed and bright?
Ref.--Oh, can we say we are ready, brother?
Ready for the soul"s bright home?
Say, will he find you and me still watching, Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?
2 If at the dawn of the early morning, He shall call us one by one, When to the Lord we restore our talents, Will he answer thee--Well done?
3 Have we been true to the trust he left us?
Do we seek to do our best?
If in our hearts there is naught condemns us, We shall have a glorious rest.
4 Blessed are those whom the Lord finds watching, In his glory they shall share; If he shall come at the dawn or midnight, Will he find us watching there?
f.a.n.n.y J. Crosby.
423 Laban. S.M.
_Watchfulness and Prayer._ (763)
My soul, be on thy guard, Ten thousand foes arise: The hosts of sin are pressing hard To draw thee from the skies.
2 Oh, watch, and fight, and pray; The battle ne"er give o"er; Renew it boldly every day, And help divine implore.
3 Ne"er think the vict"ry won Nor lay thine armor down; Thy arduous work will not be done Till thou obtain thy crown.
4 Fight on, my soul, till death Shall bring thee to thy G.o.d; He"ll take thee, at thy parting breath, To his divine abode.
George Heath, 1806.
424 Laban. S.M.
_The Panoply of G.o.d._ (761)
Soldiers of Christ! arise, And put your armor on,-- Strong, in the strength which G.o.d supplies, Through his eternal Son:--
2 Strong, in the Lord of hosts, And in his mighty power; Who in the strength of Jesus trusts, Is more than conqueror.
3 Stand, then, in his great might, With all his strength endued; And take, to arm you for the fight, The panoply of G.o.d:--
4 That, having all things done, And all your conflicts past, You may o"ercome through Christ alone, And stand entire at last.
5 From strength to strength go on; Wrestle, and fight, and pray; Tread all the powers of darkness down, And win the well-fought day.
6 Still let the Spirit cry, In all his soldiers, "Come,"
Till Christ, the Lord, descends from high, And takes the conquerors home.
Charles Wesley, 1749.
425 Laban. S.M.
_Victory is on the Lord"s Side._ (765)
Arise, ye saints, arise!
The Lord our Leader is: The foe before his banner flies, And victory is his.
2 We soon shall see the day When all our toils shall cease; When we shall cast our arms away, And dwell in endless peace.
3 This hope supports us here; It makes our burdens light: "Twill serve our drooping hearts to cheer, Till faith shall end in sight:--
4 Till, of the prize possessed, We hear of war no more; And ever with our Leader rest, On yonder peaceful sh.o.r.e.
Thomas Kelly, 1803.
426 Maitland. C.M.
_The Sacrifices of Warfare._ (751)
Am I a soldier of the cross, A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own his cause, Or blush to speak his name?
2 Must I be carried to the skies On flow"ry beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize, And sailed thro" b.l.o.o.d.y seas?
3 Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace, To help me on to G.o.d?
4 Sure I must fight if I would reign; Increase my courage, Lord; I"ll bear the toil, endure the pain, Supported by thy word.
5 Thy saints in all this glorious war, Shall conquer, though they die; They see the triumph from afar, By faith they bring it nigh.
6 When that ill.u.s.trious day shall rise, And all thy armies shine In robes of vict"ry through the skies, The glory shall be thine.
Isaac Watts, 1723
427 America. 6s & 4s.
_Christian Soldiers._ (773)
Soldiers of Christ are we Marching to victory, Marching to heaven; In his bright armor dressed, His cross our chosen crest, And for our food and rest, His word is given.
2 Tho" foes our path surround, Tho" toils and cares abound, Onward we tread; We hear our Lord"s command; We grasp each shining brand, And, like a banner grand, Hope waves o"erhead.