3 Alleluia cannot always

Be our song while here below;
Alleluia our transgressions

Make us for a while forego:
For the solemn time is coming
When our tears for sin must flow.

4 Therefore in our hymns we pray thee,
Grant us, blessed Trinity,

At the last to keep thine Easter
In our home beyond the sky;
There to thee for ever singing
Alleluia joyfully. Amen.

Tr. John Mason Neale, 1851, alt.

Also the following

241 Eternal Light! Eternal Light 312 God of mercy, God of grace

356 Fairest Lord Jesus

362 When Jesus left his Father's throne
466 Rise, crowned with light

471 O where are kings and empires now
472 Triumphant Sion, lift thy head
477 Hasten the time appointed

478 Saviour, sprinkle many nations
479 The morning light is breaking
480 Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
482 Fling out the banner

487 Arm of the Lord

See also Sundays after Trinity, Church Militant, Missions, Brotherhood and Service

111

Septuagesima

C.M.

AWAKE, my soul, stretch every nerve,

And with vigour on;

A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.

2 A cloud of witnesses around
Hold thee in full survey;
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.

3 'Tis God's all-animating voice
That calls thee from on high;

'Tis his own hand presents the prize To thine aspiring eye.

4 Then wake, my soul, stretch every nerve, And press with vigour on;

A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.

112

Philip Doddridge, 1755

5.5.5.5.6.5.6.5

REAST the wave, Christian,
When it is strongest;

Watch for day, Christian,
When the night's longest.
Onward and onward still
Be thine endeavour;
The rest that remaineth
Will be for ever.

2 Fight the fight, Christian,
Jesus is o'er thee;
Run the race, Christian,
Heaven is before thee;
He who hath promised
Faltereth never;

The love of eternity

Flows on for ever.

3 Lift thine eye, Christian,
Just as it closeth;

Raise thy heart, Christian,
Ere it reposeth;

91901

Thee from the love of Christ
Nothing shall sever;
And, when thy work is done,
Praise him for ever.

Joseph Stammers, 1880, alt.

113

F

L.M.

IGHT the good fight with all thy might,

Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right; Lay hold on life, and it shall be

Thy joy and crown eternally.

2 Run the straight race through God's good grace,

Lift up thine eyes, and seek his face;
Life with its way before us lies,

Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

3 Cast care aside, lean on thy Guide;
His boundless mercy will provide;
Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life, and Christ its love.

4 Faint not nor fear, his arms are near;
He changeth not, and thou art dear;
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.

114

John S. B. Monsell, 1868, all.

7.6.7.6.7.7.7.6

ISE, my soul, and stretch thy wings,
Thy better portion trace;

Rise from transitory things,

Toward heaven, thy destined place.

Sun and moon and stars decay,
Time shall soon this earth remove;
Rise, my soul, and haste away
To seats prepared above.

2 Cease, my soul, O cease to mourn!
Press onward to the prize;
Soon thy Saviour will return,
To take thee to the skies.
There is everlasting peace,
Rest, enduring rest, in heaven;
There will sorrow ever cease,
And crowns of joy be given.

Robert Seagrave, 1742, ali.

115

OLDIERS of the cross, arise!

Four 7's

S Gird you with your armour bright!

Mighty are your enemies,

Hard the battle ye must fight.

2 O'er a faithless fallen world,
Raise your banner in the sky!
Let it float there wide unfurled!
Bear it onward! lift it high!

3 Mid the homes of want and woe,
Strangers to the living Word,
Let the Saviour's herald go!
Let the voice of hope be heard!

4 Where the shadows deepest lie,
Carry truth's unsullied ray!
Where are crimes of blackest dye,
There the saving sign display!

5 To the weary and the worn

Tell of realms where sorrows cease' To the outcast and forlorn

Speak of mercy and of peace!

6 Guard the helpless! seek the strayed!
Comfort troubles! banish grief!
In the might of God arrayed,
Scatter sin and unbelief!

7 Be the banner still unfurled,

Still unsheathed the Spirit's sword,
Till the kingdoms of the world
Are the kingdom of the Lord!

W. Walsham How, 1864

116

FT in danger, oft in woe,

Four 7's

go;

Fight the fight, maintain the strife,
Strengthened with the Bread of Life.

2 Let your drooping hearts be glad;
March in heavenly armour clad;
Fight, nor think the battle long,
Soon shall victory tune your song.

3 Let not sorrow dim your eye,
Soon shall every tear be dry;
Let not fears your course impede,
Great your strength, if great your need.

4 Onward then to battle move,

More than conquerors ye shall prove⚫
Though opposed by many a foe,

Christian soldiers, onward go.

nry Kirke White, 1806; Frances S. Fuller-Maitland, 1827