1. ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, Who is with you… 2 Corinthians 20:17

2. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould was born in Exeter in 1834. From Sabine’s original mind flowed an endless number of books, articles, poems, hymns, and tracts. This particular hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers,” was written on a Whitsunday’s evening in the mid-1860s.

3. Whitsunday is better known as Pentecost Sunday. It got its “nickname” because it became a popular day for new Christians to be baptized. The baptismal candidates marched to the rivers wearing robes of white. Thus it came to be called “White Sunday” or Whitsunday.

4. It was on this day in 1865, in the little town of Horbury, England, that Sabine stayed up late searching through hymnbooks for a martial-type hymn for children. The next day, Monday, all the village children were marching to the neighboring town for a Sunday School rally, Sabine wanted to give them a “marching song” for the trip. Searching his hymnals and finding nothing, he began scribbling on a piece of paper, Onward, Christian soldiers Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before.

5. 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!

6. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before.

7. 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.

8. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before.

9. Crowns & thrones my perish, kingdoms rise and wane, But the church of Jesus constant will remain. Gates of hell can never 'gainst that church prevail; We have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.

10. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before.

11. 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.

12. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before.