_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.