Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war….This familiar hymn is sung in several different Christian denominations, but rings true for each one. However stirring this hymn may be, its story is far more inspiring.
The Monday after Pentecost, called by some “Whit Monday” was an important day of celebration in Yorkshire, England. On this particular Whit Monday, children from two villages would march through their own streetsand then join somewhere in the middle. Sabine Baring-Gould wished that they would sing something as they marched. He searched for a suitable hymn, but could find nothing. He then resolved that he would write the song himself.
What he wrote in the next 15 minutes is inspired. “It was written in great haste, and I am afraid that some of the lines are faulty” he claimed. He did not realize then what a profound effect this hymn could have on so many Christians.
1. Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See his banners go!
[Chorus]
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
2. At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory.
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.
3. Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the Saints have trod.
We are not divided;
All one body we:
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
4. Onward, then, ye people;
Join our happy throng.
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song:
Glory, laud, and honor
Unto Christ, the King.
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.
My brothers and sisters, throughout the globe, we are fighting a battle against the enemy of all righteousness. Shall we not join together? Satan is sifting us as wheat, trying to tear us apart. We may be different in many ways, but we share common ground, belief in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.
