Take up the cross

260 Germany. L. M.

1 "Take up thy cross," the Savior said,
   "If thou wouldst My disciple be;
   Deny thyself, the world forsake,
   And humbly follow after Me."

2 Take up thy cross; let not its weight
   Fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
   His strength shall bear thy spirit up,
   And brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.

3 Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame;
   Nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
   Thy Lord for thee the cross endured,
   To save thy soul from death and hell.

4 Take up thy cross and follow Christ;
   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
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
No a whole lot is known about the author of this hymn—the only one of his that is in any hymnals (appearing in 295). In fact, hymnary.org says this about the hymn: "The original text of this hymn differs very materially from that which is usually found in the hymn-books."
</idle musing>