[440]Orientis Partibus:

Pierre de Corbeil (-1222)

W. Walsham How, 1864

Soldiers of the cross, arise!

Gird you with your armour bright!

Mighty are your enemies,

Hard the battle ye must fight.

O'er a faithless fallen world,

Raise your banner in the sky!

Let it float there wide unfurled!

Bear it onward! lift it high!

Mid the homes of want and woe,

Strangers to the living Word,

Let the Savior's herald go!

Let the voice of hope be heard!

Where the shadows deepest lie,

Carry truth's unsullied ray!

Where are crimes of blackest dye,

There the saving sign display!

To the weary and the worn

Tell of realms where sorrows cease!

To the outcast and forlorn

Speak of mercy and of peace!

Guard the helpless! seek the strayed!

Comfort troubles! banish grief!

In the might of God arrayed,

Scatter sin and unbelief!

Be the banner still unfurled,

Still unsheathed the Spirit's sword,

Till the kingdoms of the world

Are the kingdom of the Lord!