SOUND THE BATTLE CRY

This week we in America pause to thank those who have served in our armed services and to remember those who have died to gain and preserve our freedom.  We owe them so much.  Over the years many brave men and women have served and even today many are risking their lives in very dangerous areas to protect us.  This should also remind us of the many battles that are raging against Christians.  In many countries today Christians are being killed, usually by radical Moslems, for their beliefs.  I just heard this morning that in Uzbekistan Moslems are going door to door killing Christians.  And here at home we see political moves and decisions that are contrary to the teaching of the Bible and threaten our religious liberties.  And there is certainly a spiritual battle attacking our families, ministries and the lives of all believers.  Satan is ever on the prowl. "Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (I Pet. 5:8).  And yet most of us believers just sit back, not realizing that we are really at war.  We need to sound the battle cry and gird on our armor as we are told to do in Ephesians 6:10-17.  William Fisk Sherwin (1826-1888) recognized this need well over a century ago when in 1869 he penned the words to this week's rousing gospel song.  At that time the dust had barely settled from the cavalry charges of the American Civil War that ended in 1865 and in this song we can feel the spirit of that war applied to our battle for the Lord.  At the age of fifteen, Sherwin went to Boston and studied music.  He then became a teacher of vocal music.  He also took special interest in Sunday Schools and composed carols and hymn-tunes largely for their use.  But his hymn writing was limited.  However, Sound the Battle Cry is a stirring reminder of the battle which we are facing.  He reminds us to gird our armor on and stand firm as we are told to do in I Corinthians 16:13.  "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong"   And He reminds us that Christ is Captain of our mighty throng and because of that we can face the foe knowing that we must prevail.  So on this Memorial Day weekend let us also be reminded of the spiritual battle which surrounds us and let us stand firm with God's armor as we face the foe.

(1)  Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh;

Raise the standard high for the Lord;

Gird your armor on, stand firm every one;

Rest your cause upon His holy Word.

Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,

Ready, steady, pass the word along;

Onward, forward, shout aloud Hosanna!

Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.

2.   Strong to meet the foe, marching on we go,

While our cause we know, must prevail;

Shield and banner bright, gleaming in the light,

Battling for the right we ne'er can fail.

Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,

Ready, steady, pass the word along;

Onward, forward, shout aloud Hosanna!

Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.

3.    O! Thou God of all, hear us when we call,

Help us one and all by Thy grace;

When the battle's done, and the vict'ry's won,

May we wear the crown before Thy face.

Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,

Ready, steady, pass the word along;

Onward, forward, shout aloud Hosanna!

Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.

This week I offer you two good renditions of this gospel song.  The first is a stirring rendition done by a choir of men.     LISTEN1

The second is an excellent rendition sung by a mixed choir.   LISTEN2