Soldiers of the cross, arise

Soldiers of the cross, arise. William Walsham How* (1823-1897). This hymn first appeared in How and Morrell’s Psalms and Hymns (1864). It then appeared in Church Hymns (1871), of which How was one of the editors, and it became recognised as a hymn for Home Missions (unlike Charles Wesley*’s ‘Soldiers of Christ, arise’*, which is about arming the individual Christian against temptation). It was included in the Supplement (1889) to the Second Edition of A&M, remaining in the A&M tradition until it was dropped from A&MNS: It was at one time very well known, in Britain, Ireland, Canada and the USA: Soldiers of the cross, arise,  Gird you with your armour bright:Mighty are your...