The Crown of Victory
Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Rev. ii. 10.
Steep and thorny is the way,
To our home in heaven ascending;
Happy he who every day
Walks therein, for Christ contending;
Happy when, his journey o’er,
Conquering he to Christ shall soar.
Great shall be his recompense,
True to death on God who waited,
Who renounc’d the joys of sense,
To his Saviour consecrated;
Who has gazed with steadfast eye
On the crown of victory.
On the cross our dying Lord
Bled for man who had offended,
Purchas’d us the great reward,
Then from earth to heaven ascended:
Victor e’en in death, He said,
“Father! it is finished.”
May we soon approach Thee near,
We who long on earth have striven!
Storms and night surround us here,
Bright and peaceful ’tis in heaven:
Death may strike, and graves may yawn,
Yonder beams life’s endless dawn.
On then, comrades, wend your way,
Let not life’s drear waste alarm you;
Look to Jesus, watch and pray
For the fight that God would arm you.
God, the weak who strong canst make,
Victory give for Jesu’s sake.