Richard M.S. Irwin - Take Up Thy Cross, the Saviour Said (Breslau, Organ) Lyrics

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 strength 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
And saved thy soul from death and hell

Take up thy cross then in His strength
And calmly sin's wild deluge brave
'Twill guide thee to a better home
It points to glory o'er the grave

Take up thy cross and follow Christ
Nor think til death to lay it down
For only those who bear the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown

To Thee, great Lord, the One in Three
All praise forevermore ascend:
O grant us in our home to see
The heavenly life that knows no end