O Lord, the ho­ly in­no­cents
Laid down for Thee their in­fant life,
And mar­tyrs brave and pa­tient saints
Have stood for Thee in fire and strife.

We wear the cross they wore of old
Our lips have learned like vows to make;
We need not die; we can­not fight;
What may we do for Je­sus’ sake?

O day by day each Chris­tian child
Has much to do, with­out, within;
A death to die for Je­sus’ sake,
A wea­ry war to wage with sin.

When deep with­in our swell­ing hearts
The thoughts of pride and an­ger rise,
When bit­ter words are on our tongues,
And tears of pass­ion in our eyes.

Then we may stay the ang­ry blow,
Then we may check the has­ty word,
Give gen­tle an­swers back again,
And fight a bat­tle for our Lord.

With smiles of peace and looks of love,
Light in our dwell­ings we may make,
Bid kind good hu­mor bright­en there,
And still do all for Je­sus’ sake.

There’s not a child so weak and small
But has his lit­tle cross to take,
His lit­tle work of love and praise,
That he may do for Je­sus’ sake.