Poetry: Ten Little Christians

Ten Little Christians, standing all in line

One disliked the preacher then there were nine.

Nine Little Christians stayed up very late;

One slept in on Sunday morning, then there were eight.

Eight Little Christians on the road to Heaven;

One took the lower road, then there were seven.

Seven Little Christians got into a fix

One disliked the music, then there were six.

Six Little Christians very much alive;

But one lost interest, then there were five.

Five Little Christians wishing there were more

One got into a quarrel, then there were four.

Four Little Christians cheerful as could be;

But one lost his temper, then there were three.

Three Little Christians knew not what to do

One joined a curling club, then there were two.

Two Little Christians as hard as granite stone

Differed from each other, then there was one

One lone Christian won his neighbour true,

Brought him to the Church, then there were two.

Two eager Christians, each won one more;

That increased their forces – then there were four.

Four sincere Christian working in full spate;

Each won another one, then there were eight.

Eight committed Christians…quite a decent team

Worked so well together they raised it to sixteen.

Sixteen earnest workers doubled six times more

Raised the mighty arm to one thousand and twenty-four

Quite a church full!

Layland G Smith.