“O! friends and scholars, gather round,
Take heed to what I say;
For I some good news have to tell
To everyone this day.”
‘Tis but a youthful voice I hear,
But hasten to the place;
Above the rest, he’s standing up
With calm and earnest face.
What is it, think you, he would tell
To boys so gay and free?
Some famous deed of daring that
He fain would acting be?
Nay, listen then to what he says
In accents bold and true;
“A priceless treasure I have found,
I wish you had it tool!”
He stops and hesitates a bit,
Then quickly tells the rest—
“I found salvation yesterday,
I am so glad and blest.
I knew my debt was very great,
And I could do but naught
To meet the dreadful foe—but learned
That Christ the battle fought.
I looked to Jesus as my Lord,
And trust His precious Word;
And now I know He’s saved me
By His atoning blood.”
ML 07/30/1916