The Christian banner! dread no loss

Where that broad ensign floats unrolled;

But let the fair and sacred cross

Blaze out from every radiant fold:

Stern foes arise, a countless throng,

Loud as the storms of Kara’s sea,

But though the strife be fierce and long,

That cross shall wave in victory.

2 Sound the shrill trumpet, sound, and call

The people of the mighty King,

And bid them keep that standard all

In martial thousands gathering:

Let them come forth from every clime

That lies beneath the circling sun,

Various, as flowers in that sweet clime

Where flowers are, in heart, but one.

3 Soldiers of heaven! take sword and shield,

Look up to him who rules on high,

And forward to the glorious field,

Where noble martyrs bleed and die;

4 Lift up the banner: rest no more,

Nor let this righteous warfare cease,

Till man’s last tribe shall bow before

The Lord of lords—the Prince of Peace:

Go! bear it forth, ye strong and brave;

Let not those bright folds once be furled,

Till that high sun shall see them wave

Above a blest but conquered world.

Fling out the banner! let it float

Sky-ward and sea-ward, high and wide:

The sun, that lights its shining folds,

The cross, on which the Saviour died.

2 Fling out the banner! angels bend,

In anxious silence, o’er the sign;

And vainly seek to comprehend

The wonder of the love divine.

3 Fling out the banner! heathen lands

Shall see, from far, the glorious sight,

And nations, crowding to be born,

Baptize their spirits in its light.

4 Fling out the banner! sin-sick souls,

That sink and perish in the strife,

Shall touch in faith its radiant hem,

And spring immortal into life.

5 Fling out the banner! let it float

Sky-ward and sea-ward, high and wide;

Our glory, only in the cross;

Our only hope, the Crucified.

God, in the gospel of his Son,

Makes his eternal counsels known;

’Tis here his richest mercy shines,

And truth is drawn in fairest lines.

2 Here sinners of a humble frame

May taste his grace and learn his name;

’Tis writ in characters of blood,

Severely just—immensely good.

3 Here Jesus, in ten thousand ways,

His soul-attracting charms displays;

Recounts his poverty and pains,

And tells his love in melting strains.

4 May this blest volume ever lie

Close to my heart, and near my eye—

Till life’s last hour my soul engage,

And be my chosen heritage!

Great was the day, the joy was great,

When the beloved disciples met;

And on their heads the Spirit came,

And sat like tongues of cloven flame.

2 What gifts, what miracles he gave!

The power to kill, the power to save,

Furnished their tongues with wondrous words,

Instead of shields, and spears, and swords.

3 Thus armed, he sent the champions forth,

From east to west, from south to north;

Go, and assert your Saviour’s cause—

Go, spread the mystery of the cross!

How beauteous are their feet

Who stand on Zion’s hill!

Who bring salvation on their tongues,

And words of peace reveal!

2 How charming is their voice!

How sweet the tidings are!

“Zion, behold thy Saviour King,

He reigns and triumphs here.”

3 How happy are our ears

That hear this joyful sound,

Which kings and prophets waited for,

And sought, but never found!

4 How blessÉd are our eyes

That see this heavenly light!

Prophets and kings desired it long,

But died without the sight.

5 The watchmen join their voice,

And tuneful notes employ;

Jerusalem breaks forth in songs,

And deserts learn the joy.

6 The Lord makes bare his arm

Through all the earth abroad;

Let every nation now behold

Their Saviour and their God.