John Christian Reviews

To defend your honor, I pledge to thee. As I kneel before you, on bended knee. My loyalty to you, until my death, I’ll fight for you, with my final breath. No challenge you ask, shall be too great. To honor you’re bidding without debate, I decree to you, as a Templar of this land, I’ll do as you ask; I await your command. I raise my sword, and swear by this troth. To you and your kingdom, this is my oath. To forever defend you, until death I do depart. One Sword, one Knight, One Heart Resting in calm repose, The fiercest blast that blows And bows yon sturdy oaks on Bashan’s height, Can yield no influence here; — For many and many a year Hath ” slept in Jesus ” this our stalwart Knight. While rust corrodes his great cross-hilted sword, The toil-spent Templar rests before the Lord. He heard an inward call, — ” Leave home, leave country, all That love you or are loved, — leave wealth and fame, And with this ruddy Cross, Count other things but dross, To go and battle in your Master’s name! There, where I walked in early days with men, Go, I will meet you, striving there, again!” Meekly he rose and went; His hard-earned fortune spent In the high cause for which he took the sword; He chose the lowliest place; For nothing can abase The servant when he imitates his Lord. Yet where the strokes fell thickest midst the din He listened, yearning for that voice again. And here the Templar fell; Battling full long and well; He fell beneath the point of Paynim spear; But to his dying eye The Master’s form drew nigh, The Master’s whisper blest his dying ear; — ” Well done, true Knight, inherit thy reward! The servant is not greater than his Lord!” A Templar Knight of noble deed was summoned by his holy creed, to fight for Christ and plant His seed, for those who pierced His heart to bleed. The splendid Savior’s name would rise, as rightful King in pagan eyes. Oh that would be his greatest prize, for that one man should gladly die! His stallion white was armored well, the gallant night would vanquish hell. To conquer where his foes did dwell, he swore their pride would soon be felled. His Lord the victor of the world, the unbelievers would be hurled. So help him if he fought alone, to capture rightly Land and Home, for on that Knight God’s Light had shown. That valiant knight soon from his quest, his tired bones then sought some rest. He knew his sleep would thus be blessed, for safe was he in battle dressed. With sword in sheath, and shield aside he laid to rest his Christian pride. Beneath an Olive tree he knelt, and in God’s name he freed his cry: “My Lord I simply can not go by weariness and fear, I think it best to close my eyes until my strength is here.” Now madness settled rather fast, imbuing him with dream. Upon a city oe’r the hills, the Lord shown down His Beam. The knight could see from distance great, in darkness oe’r the land, A brilliant cross that burnished bright, and holding it a hand. How small it was beneath the stars that lit the cobalt skies. He strained to focus on its shape, and it vanished from his eyes. With that our brave knight shook his head, and nodded from his dream. He splashed upon his sweating brow, some water from a stream. Inspired evermore was he to crush the infidel, who cursed the precious Land of Christ with foreign tongue and spell. He reached the mighty City gate, and galloped in with storm. The unbelievers froze in place, by his swiftly iron form. “I’ve come here in the name of Christ, to save His sacred Land!”, and from his breast plate pulled a cross that glistened in his hand. Then by his solo fighting band, he swung his sword in efforts grand. But the flashing blade was soon oppressed, and our valiant Knight in chain mail dressed met his Sainthood by his actions blessed. For he died with arrows in his chest. No cry of anguish fled his lips, nor gasp of rasping breath. For the cross of Christ that won his life, had saved him from true Death. Through the cross a Templar is saved At the foot of the cross our sins and problems laid The cross brings the Templar to life Although the truth of the cross cuts like a knife To the Templar, the cross means “sacrifice” But believing in its message opens up Paradise On the Cross, Christ paid for our sin those that believe in Christ, we will win Templars far and wide, hear my words Listen to what I proscribe: Put your hope in the power of the cross And count all else in life but dross And let Christ’s love in your life cross all the barriers that have kept you lost The morn’ begins Before grey dawn With prayers And songs a singin’ What comes this day My Lord, my King What fate will Thee be bringin’ Will I kneel in homage Bow in prayer Then march and ride the wind To board, to worship, then to rest To serve til my life’s end Then comes the day when battle calls Where evil bars the way And as we charge we all will sing Non nobis Domine If at the end I stand or fall It matters not to me As Templar, I Know that my soul Forever next to thee. Oh gallant Knights, in fitting garb arrayed, With helmet high, and cross, and glittering blade, Met to do honor to a Stranger Knight, Worn in life’s strife, and weary of the fight, Brave Warriors in a warfare not to cease, Till all mankind shall find Celestial Peace, While in this noble Chamber met, Where Zeal, and Light, and Love Abound, Let’s sit around the Master’s Feet, And listen to His Gracious Sound; The Master, Prince Emmanuel, The Sound, that Word we love so well.