8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8 Come, follow Me, the Savior spake, All in My way abiding; Deny yourselves, the world forsake, Obey My call and guiding; O bear the cross, whate’er betide, Take My example for your guide. 2. I am the Light, I light the way, A virtuous life displaying; Who comes to Me and follows, aye, I lead from his dark straying. I am the Way, and well I show How men should sojourn here below. 3. My heart in lowliness abounds, My soul with love is glowing, And from My mouth are words and sounds Of meekness overflowing. My heart, My mind, My strength, My all To God I yield, on Him I call. 4. I teach you to avoid and flee What harms your soul’s salvation, Your heart to purify and free From sin’s abomination. Your Rock and Fortress e’er am I And lead you to the life on high. 5. But if too hot you find the fray, I, at your side, stand ready; I fight Myself, I lead the way, At all times firm and steady. A coward he who will not heed When the chief Captain takes the lead. 6. Who seeks to find his soul’s welfare Without Me, he shall lose it; But who to lose it may appear, In God shall introduce it. Who bears no cross nor follows hard, Deserves not Me nor My reward. 7. Then let us follow our dear Lord, And bear the cross appointed And, bravely cleaving to His Word, In suffering be undaunted. Who has not stood the battle’s strain The crown of life shall ne’er obtain. J. Scheffler, 1668; C. W. Schaeffer, tr., a. 335 8, 7, 8 l Jesus, I my cross have taken, All to leave and follow Thee; Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my All shalt be. Perish every fond ambition, All I’ve sought or hoped or known; Yet how rich is my condition! God and heaven are still my own. 2. Let the world despise and leave me, They have left my Savior too; Human hearts and looks deceive me, Thou art not, like them, untrue. And while Thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, love, and might, Foes may hate and friends may shun me; Show Thy face, and all is bright. 3. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn, and pain! In Thy service, pain is pleasure; With Thy favor, loss is gain. I have called Thee Abba, Father! I have stayed my heart on Thee; Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, All must work for good to me.