The phrasing "royal banners forward go to the cross hymn" points directly to the hymn **"Forward! Go to the Cross"** (sometimes titled "Forward! March to the Cross" or "Go to the Cross"). The hymn itself contains the imagery of a "banner" and implicitly "royal" in referring to Christ as King. Let's break down the history and connection: --- ## 1. The Hymn: "Forward! Go to the Cross" * **Words:** Thomas J. Williams (1866-1937) * **Music:** William J. Kirkpatrick (1838-1921) * **Date:** Likely composed in the late 19th or early 20th century. Kirkpatrick was a prolific hymn writer and editor known for his work in the gospel hymn tradition. * **Context:** This hymn belongs to the tradition of "gospel hymns" or "revival hymns" popular in Protestant evangelical churches, particularly in the United States and Great Britain, from the mid-19th century onwards. These hymns often use military metaphors to inspire spiritual commitment, sacrifice, and action. Another famous example from this tradition is "Onward, Christian Soldiers." * **Key Imagery:** The hymn calls believers to "go to the cross," which is symbolic of salvation through Christ's sacrifice, but also to embrace discipleship and spiritual warfare. The "banner" imagery is central: > *Forward! Go to the cross, thy Master's **banner** viewing;* > *For Christ has died to save, and life for thee renewing;* > *Then let thy watchword be, to conquer or to die,* > *And gain the victory with Christ thy Captain nigh.* Here, the **Cross itself is depicted as the "Master's banner."** The "Master" refers to Jesus Christ, who is often called the "King of Kings" or "Lord of Lords" in Christian theology. Therefore, His banner is inherently **"royal."** * **Meaning in the Hymn:** The "banner" symbolizes: * **Allegiance:** A standard under which one serves and pledges loyalty. * **Rallying Point:** A visible sign for followers to gather around. * **Identity:** What defines and unites the "Christian army." * **Victory/Dominion:** The cross, though a symbol of suffering, is also seen as the means of Christ's triumph over sin and death. --- ## 2. The History of "Royal Banners" (General Historical Context) Historically, "royal banners" are flags or standards used by monarchs, royal families, or kingdoms. They have a long and rich history, pre-dating the hymn by millennia. * **Ancient Origins:** Banners and standards were used by armies and rulers since ancient times (e.g., Roman vexilla, Egyptian standards). They served as rallying points, symbols of authority, and indicators of a leader's presence. * **Medieval and Early Modern Eras:** This is where "royal banners" really come into their own with heraldry. * **Heraldry:** Developed in Europe, heraldry assigned specific coats of arms and banners to individuals, families, and royalty. These became intricate systems of identification. * **Symbol of Sovereignty:** A royal banner represented the monarch's person, their authority, and their kingdom. Displaying it meant asserting control or presence. * **Military Use:** Royal banners were crucial on battlefields, signifying the location of the king or commander and serving as a morale booster and rallying point. To capture an enemy's banner was a significant victory. * **Religious Significance:** Many historical royal banners incorporated religious symbols. For example: * **The Oriflamme:** A sacred banner of the Kings of France, originally the banner of the Abbey of St. Denis, carried into battle to signify a fight to the death and often blessed by the Church. * **Crusader Banners:** While not strictly "royal" in the monarchical sense, these were sacred standards featuring the cross, carried into battle by crusading armies. * **English Royal Standard:** Often incorporating symbols with religious meaning (e.g., the lions of England, the fleur-de-lis of France, which has Christian symbolism). Monarchs were seen as ruling by "divine right." --- ## 3. The Connection: Royal Banners and the Hymn There is **no direct historical lineage** connecting the specific composition of "Forward! Go to the Cross" to a particular historical royal banner (like the Oriflamme or the English Royal Standard). Instead, the connection is **thematic and metaphorical**: * **Leveraging Powerful Imagery:** The hymn's authors drew upon the deep, universally understood power of banner imagery. They knew that people understood banners as symbols of: * **Allegiance and Loyalty:** People rally to a banner, serve under it, and often fight and die for it. * **Authority and Leadership:** Banners represent who is in charge and whose cause one is following. * **Identity and Unity:** A banner unites those who follow it into a common cause or group. * **Mission and Purpose:** The banner dictates the objectives of those who serve under it. * **Spiritualizing the Secular:** The hymn takes these powerful, often military or monarchical, concepts and spiritualizes them. * The "Royal" aspect comes from **Christ as King**. Just as earthly kings have royal banners, Christ, the "King of Kings," has His banner. * The "Banner" itself is identified as the **Cross**, symbolizing His sacrifice and ultimate victory. * The "Forward! Go to the Cross" command is an exhortation to **spiritual action, discipleship, and evangelism**, likened to an army marching under its commander's standard. In essence, the hymn uses the well-established historical and symbolic weight of "royal banners" to communicate a spiritual message: Christians are called to serve under the royal standard of Jesus Christ, represented by His Cross, marching "forward" in faith and obedience.