May 2

Written by: PastorJohn
5/2/2009 11:14 AM

Just came across a poem by E.H. Hamilton entitled "Afraid? of what?". It was written after he heard about the death of his friend Jack Vinson. Jack was a missionary in China. In 1931, he was told by a bandit, "I'm going to kill you. Aren't you afraid?" Jack Vinson replied, "No, if you shoot, I go straight to heaven." His decapitated body was found later.

"Afraid? Of what?"
To feel the spirit's glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Saviour's face,
To hear His welcome, and to trace,
The glory gleam from wounds of grace,
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
A flash - a crash - a pierced heart;
Brief darkness - Light - O Heaven's art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To enter into Heaven's rest,
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To do by death what life could not -
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid? Of that? 

 

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