'Take Up Thy Cross', the Savior Said

1. "Take up thy cross," the Sa- vior said, "If thou wouldst My dis- ci- ple be; De- ny thy- self, the world for- sake, And hum- bly fol- low af- ter Me."

2. Take up thy cross, let not its weight Fill thy weak spi- rit with a- larm; His strength shall bear thy spi- rit up, And brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.

3. Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame, Nor let thy fool- ish pride re- bel; Thy Lord for thee the cross en- dured, And saved thy soul from death and hell.

4. Take up thy cross then in His strength, And calm- ly sin's wild de- luge brave, 'Twill guide thee to a bet- ter home, It points to glo- ry o'er the grave.

5. Take up thy cross and fol- low Christ, Nor think til death to lay it down; For on- ly those who bear the cross May hope to wear the glor- ious crown.