Confirmation.

Long, long ago, with vows too much forgotten,     The Cross of Christ was seal'd on every brow,     Ah! slow of heart, that shun the Christian conflict;     Rise up at last! The accepted time is now.     Soldiers of Jesus! Blest who endure;     Stand in the battle; the victory is sure.     Hark! hark! the Saviour's voice to each is calling--     "I bore the Cross of Death in pain for thee;     On thee the Cross of daily life is falling:     Children! take up the Cross and follow Me."     Soldiers of Jesus! &c.     Strive as God's saints have striven in all ages;     Press those slow steps where firmer feet have trod:     For us their lives adorn the sacred pages,     For them a crown of glory is with God.     Soldiers of Jesus! &c.     Peace! peace! sweet voices bring an ancient story,     (Such songs angelic melodies employ,)     "Hard is the strife, but unconceived the glory:     Short is the pain, eternal is the joy."     Soldiers of Jesus! &c.     On! Christian souls, all base temptations spurning,     Drown coward thoughts in Faith's triumphant hymn;     Since Jesus suffer'd, our salvation earning,     Shall we not toil that we may rest with Him?     Soldiers of Jesus! &c. Amen.