* * * *

Beneath the glowing arch
The ransomed armies march,
We follow on;
Lead on, O cross of Light,
From conquering height to height,
And add new victories bright
To triumphs won!

"THE BANNER OF IMMANUEL!"

This hymn, set to music and copyrighted in Buffalo as a floating waif of
verse by an unknown author, and used in Sunday-school work, first
appeared in Dr. F.N. Peloubet's _Select Songs_ (Biglow and Main, 1884)
with a tune by Rev. George Phipps.

The hymn was written by Rev. Theron Brown, a Baptist minister, who was
pastor (1859-1870) of churches in South Framingham and Canton, Mass. He
was born in Willimantic, Ct., April 29, 1832.

Retired from pastoral work, owing to vocal disability, he has held
contributory and editorial relations with the _Youth's Companion_ for
more than forty years, for the last twenty years a member of the office
staff.

Between 1880 and 1890 he contributed hymns more or less regularly to the
quartet and antiphonal chorus service at the Ruggles St. Church, Boston,
the "Banner of Immanuel" being one of the number. _The Blount Family_,
_Nameless Women of the Bible_, _Life Songs_ (a volume of poems), and
several books for boys, are among his published works.

The banner of Immanuel! beneath its glorious folds
For life or death to serve and fight we pledge our loyal souls.
No other flag such honor boasts, or bears so proud a name,
And far its red-cross signal flies as flies the lightning's flame.

* * * * *

Salvation by the blood of Christ! the shouts of triumph ring;
No other watchword leads the host that serves so grand a King.
Then rally, soldiers of the Cross! Keep every fold unfurled,
And by Redemption's holy sign we'll conquer all the world.

The Rev. George Phipps, composer of the tune, "Immanuel's Banner," was
born in Franklin, Mass., Dec. 11, 1838, was graduated at Amherst
College, 1862, and at Andover Theological Seminary, 1865. Settled as
pastor of the Congregational Church in Wellesley, Mass., ten years, and
at Newton Highlands fifteen years.

He has written many Sunday-school melodies, notably the music to "My
Saviour Keeps Me Company."

CHAPTER V.

HYMNS OF SUFFERING AND TRUST.

One inspiring chapter in the compensations of life is the record of
immortal verses that were sorrow-born. It tells us in the most affecting
way how affliction