Take up your cross

"Take up your cross," the Savior said,
"if you would My disciple be;
take up your cross with willing heart,
and humbly follow after Me."

Take up your cross; let not its weight
fill your weak soul with vain alarm;
His strength shall bear your spirit up,
and brace your heart, and nerve your arm.

Take up your cross; nor heed the shame,
and let your foolish pride be still;
your Lord refused not e'en to die
upon a cross, on Calv'ry's hill.

Take up your cross, then, in His strength,
and calmly sin's wild deluge brave;
'twill guide you to a better home,
it points to glory o'er the grave.

Take up your cross, and follow on,
nor think till death to lay it down;
for only he who bears the cross
may hope to wear the glorious crown.

--Charles W. Everest, 1833