The Cross and the Crown. (835)

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
  And all the world go free? 
No, there’s a cross for every one,
  And there’s a cross for me.

2 How happy are the saints above,
  Who once went mourning here! 
But now they taste unmingled love,
  And joy without a tear.

3 This consecrated cross I’ll bear,
  Till death shall set me free,
And then go home my crown to wear,
  For there’s a crown for me.

4 Upon the crystal pavement, down
  At Jesus’ pierced feet,
Joyful, I’ll cast my golden crown,
  And his dear name repeat.

5 And palms shall wave, and harps shall ring
  Beneath heaven’s arches high;
The Lord, that lives, the ransomed sing,
  That lives no more to die.

6 Oh! precious cross! oh! glorious crown! 
  Oh! resurrection day! 
Ye angels! from the skies come down,
  And bear my soul away.

     V. 1.  Thomas Shepherd, 1692.  Vs. 2-3, G. N. Allen, 1849, a.

401 Maitland.  C.M.

The Christian Race. (783)

Awake, my soul—­stretch every nerve,
  And press with vigor on;
A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
  A bright, immortal crown.

2 ’Tis God’s all-animating voice
  That calls thee from on high: 
’Tis his own hand presents the prize
  To thine aspiring eye.

3 A cloud of witnesses around,
  Hold thee in full survey: 
Forget the steps already trod,
  And onward urge thy way.

4 Blest Savior, introduced by thee
  Have we our race begun;
And, crowned with vict’ry, at thy feet
  We’ll lay our laurels down.

     P. Doddridge, 1740.

402 Maitland.  C.M.

Christian Charity. (809)

Blest is the man, whose softening heart
  Feels all another’s pain;
To whom the supplicating eye
  Was never raised in vain;—­

2 Whose breast expands with generous warmth,
  A stranger’s woes to feel,
And bleeds in pity o’er the wound
  He wants the power to heal.

3 He spreads his kind supporting arms
  To every child of grief;
Hie secret bounty largely flows,
  And brings unasked relief.

4 To gentle offices of love,
  His feet are never slow;
He views, through mercy’s melting eye,
  A brother in a foe.

     Mrs. Anna L. Barbauld, 1772.

403 Boylston.  S.M.

The Christian’s Life-Work. (798)

A charge to keep I have,
  A God to glorify;
A never-dying-soul to save,
  And fit it for the sky:—–­

2 To serve the present age,
  My calling to fulfill,—­
Oh! may it all my powers engage—­
  To do my Master’s will.

3 Arm me with jealous care,
  As in thy sight to live;
And, oh, thy servant, Lord! prepare
  A strict account to give.