Though I am weak,
And I may stammer
I'll tell of those who
Upheld the Baptist Banner

The ensign of Christ,
And all that is true
A name given for reproach
Preserved for me and you

They remained His witness
For they preached nothing new
Albigenses, Waldenses, and Donatists
To name just a few

A young woman in England
Her name Ann Askew
Her death now before us
In a brief review

The truth she held in Jesus
They said God would "damn" her
She burnt at the stake and
Upheld the Baptist Banner

Men know that as a woman
She was able to stand strong
Though her trail was grievous
And her temptation long

Women you need to remember
You're not out of the fray
For face to face you shall meet her
Ann Askew someday

John Clark boarded a vessel
With sail set across the sea
A toilsome journey to England
For the cause of liberty

To plea for unbound conscience
Lay entreaties before the King
An after long beseeching him
The compact sealed with the ring

Dr. Clark could've stayed home
His pocket book be pampered
But for our religious freedom He
Upheld the Baptist Banner

Holmes, Clark and Crandall
Went and held a meeting
Within the bounds of Massachusetts
To gain William Whitter's greeting

The officers came upon them
The three visitors were caught
Holmes gained thirty stripes
Yet "in a manner felt it not."

Whipped with roses he spoke
Mr. Holmes cause quite a clamor
As he stood strong at the post
And upheld the Baptist Banner

John Waller a preacher he was
His name was Swearing Jack
Long before Christ removed
The great burden off his back

One hundred thirteen nights he slept
Inside of a prison cell
Yet if you did but ask him
He would rather be in jail

Than to deny his Lord and Savior
And let fall the Gospel Standard
So preaching Christ crucified
He upheld the Baptist Banner

James Robinson Graves is a name
Every Baptist should prize
For when it came to "The faith"
He would not compromise

Pendleton and Dayton to help him
He called them to attack
They reset the landmarks
And the enemy turned his back

Bro. James grew not weary
As he held up the lantern
To bid his brethren return
To uphold the Baptist Banner

Brother or sister in Christ
Now I say stand strong
For God's Holy Spirit
Can lead you to no wrong

You must prepare for battle
Yes gird your armor on
For one day we shall meet these
In that heavenly throng

For I've resolved
Though I may stammer
Obtaining the help of God
To Uphold the Baptist Banner

[David Roush is the pastor of the Victory Baptist Church in Spencer, Iowa. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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