On The Sign Of The Cross In Baptism – A Poem by Henry Alford

In token that thou shalt not fear
Christ crucified to own,
We print the Cross upon thee here,
And stamp thee his alone.

In token that thou shalt not blush
To glory in his name,
We blazon here upon thy front
His glory and his shame.

In token that thou shalt not flinch
Christ’s quarrel to maintain,
But ‘neath his banner manfully
Firm at thy post remain:

In token that thou too shalt tread
The path he travelled by,
Endure the cross, despise the shame,
And sit thee down on high:

Thus outwardly and visibly
We seal thee for his own:
And may the brow that wears his Cross,
Hereafter share his crown.