Great was the day, the joy was great,

When the beloved disciples met;

And on their heads the Spirit came,

And sat like tongues of cloven flame.

2 What gifts, what miracles he gave!

The power to kill, the power to save,

Furnished their tongues with wondrous words,

Instead of shields, and spears, and swords.

3 Thus armed, he sent the champions forth,

From east to west, from south to north;

Go, and assert your Saviour’s cause—

Go, spread the mystery of the cross!

4 These weapons of the holy war,

Of what almighty force they are

To make our stubborn passions bow,

And lay the proudest rebel low!

5 The Greeks and Jews, the learned and rude,

Are by these heavenly arms subdued;

While Satan rages at his loss,

And hates the doctrine of the cross.