Faint not, O Christian! the way may be long,
And the path for thy feet may seem toilsome and weary;
Courage, and faint not; be faithful and strong:
Though days may be dark, and though nights may be dreary.
Onward! though mists rise on every hand:
Upward! though sin weigh thee down like a burden:
For if thou shouldst faint in the still peaceful land,
‘How wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?’

Faint not, O Christian! the night is far spent,
And the day will soon dawn in its fulness of beauty:
Let the light find thee with steps heavenward bent,
Toiling along the rough pathway of duty!
What though temptations are thronging the road!
Has not Christ died thy transgressions to pardon?
And if thou shouldst wander away from thy God,
‘How wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?’

Faint not, O Christian! though thick on thy path
Affliction pour down its most pitiless showers:
Thy Father is speaking in love, not in wrath,
And thy griefs will yet scatter thy pathway like flowers!
Courage then, Christian! be of good cheer!
Christ is thy Guardian and heaven is thy guerdon!
For if on this earth thou shouldst falter and fear,
‘How wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?’