Prosperity Preaching
Ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing
They mercilessly devour the weak,
With a polluted premise in their preaching
Their greedy pangs can make one sick.
With eloquent words they teach the doctrine,
That God's blessings ratios one is to ten,
This is a wrong motive for true giving,
That to those who give God makes wealthy men.
There was a preacher who came from Nigeria
He guested in church with his thunderous
dare:
'Give your one million, in two months I tell ya'
You'll be ten times richer beyond compare! '
Since we were then financially challenged
None of us stood but we felt some guilt,
Will the Lord give us His Divine revenge?
Or be angry we wallow in poverty's filth?
'Give a hundred thousand then, is that alright? '
The black preacher graciously bargained.
Our head pastor stood and gave with his wife,
While others followed suit, with their wallets pained.
'If you don't get rich two months hereafter,
You can run after me and my prophecy,
Then I'm a false prophet and not God's preacher,
If my words do not happen and come to be.'
He went on to preach ably using Scripture
As guest in the other small churches,
He used the same line of prosperity picture,
And banked on desires of men for riches.
Two months after, there's no more preacher.
He went to his country with the money.
Left the sheep with their jaws asunder,
Dreaming and wishing visioned prosperity.
What gall, can they preach such a deception,
How can they fool those innocent sheep,
Twisting Scripture by manipulation,
Teaching the truth they cannot even keep?
For God gives out of His great goodness
And not according to what we can't afford,
Just give what is in your heart that's best,
He will bless because He is True to His Word.
To those who preach like God is a genie,
Better think twice, their motives assess -
Their souls may be burning in hell already,
The heaven they preach they will never possess!
'Man must give what he has decided in his heart to give, reluctantly or out of compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.'
2 Corinthians 9: 7
............................................ ............................................
C ynthia Buhain-Baello
April 24,2009
Philippines
poem by Cynthia Buhain-Baello
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Precher Tom
Preacher tom, your friends are many
And your good deeds are a plenty
And i know that god is plenty proud of you
Cause youve directed your attention
Towards a bright and shining mansion
God promise to the ones that pay their dues
Chorus:
So preacher tom, come on preach,
Let the one of which you speak have his way
Let his precious will be done
Preacher tom, come on
Teach of the one always in reach
Saying who so ever will let him come
Preach on preacher tom, preach on
Your smile is like the sunshine bringing warmth and joy to others
And love controls your understanding heart
And the message that you spread is just like water to the thirsty
A beacon that keeps shining through the dark
Repeat chorus twice & fade
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Preacher Tom
Preacher tom, your friends are many
And your good deeds are a plenty
And I know that God is plenty proud of you
Cause youve directed your attention
Towards a bright and shining mansion
God promise to the ones that pay their dues
Chorus:
So preacher tom, come on preach,
Let the one of which you speak have his way
Let his precious will be done
Preacher tom, come on
Teach of the one always in reach
Saying who so ever will let him come
Preach on preacher tom, preach on
Your smile is like the sunshine bringing warmth and joy to others
And love controls your understanding heart
And the message that you spread is just like water to the thirsty
A beacon that keeps shining through the dark
Repeat chorus twice & fade
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Song Of The Open Road
(walt whitman, 1852)
Allons! the road is before us
It is safe, I have tried it
My own feet have tried it well
Be not detained
Let the paper remain on the desk unwritten
And the book on the shelf unopened
Let the tools remain in the workshop
Let the money remain unearned
Let the school stand
Mind not the cry of the teacher
Let the preacher preach in his pulpit
Let the lawyer plead in his court
And let the judge expound the law...
...let them!
Comerado! I give you my hand
I give you my love more precious than money
I give you myself before preaching and law
Will you give me yourself?
Will you come travel with me?
Will you give me yourself? hey!
Will you come travel with me?
Will we stick be each other?
As long as we live?
As long as we live?
song performed by by Waterboys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ichabod - The Story of Discontent (Narrative)
This story's for the humble
And I'll hide identities
For it may make you stumble
To know the realities.
It's about a nice preacher
Of a known denomination
Who aspired to be richer
Through his good congregation.
In a rented house he lived
With his lovely wife and children
But he wanted to receive
A better blessing from men.
So without much ado
He relayed in his preaching
A new house will do
So increase with your giving.
He said 'We'll build a Center
That will then accommodate
Five thousand new members,
And this church will be great.
But before that you must
Build a nice house for me
I hope you will trust
It's for our testimony.'
So poured the donations
And the gift offerings
For his house construction
With complete furnishings.
After the house, he needed
A new car for his trips,
So in preaching he related
Added needs in the worship.
'A Crosswind is fine'
Said he to the people,
'It's an Isuzu line
And the price reasonable.'
So he got the new wheels
And with peace for a moment,
But the joy that he feels
Soon leads back to discontent.
After a year, a predicament-
Another car he had wanted
Made known his sentiment,
Again the people submitted.
'A Mitsubishi Pajero,
It's the best for our missions
Will you let me know
Your complete contributions.'
When the giving was done
And the money was counted,
'For those who gave none
No prayers will be said.'
What kind of a shepherd
Will say such a prayer?
From heaven God heard
This very selfish preacher.
After that his own son
Brought sin to the church,
A curse that's undone
Took him down from his perch.
Though he preached with full volume
It was empty of Power
For the God Who consumes
Has abandoned the preacher.
Now seven years later
There is still no Center,
Eventually the Rapture
May not carry this preacher.
'Ichabod' - The glory of the Lord has
departed.
'We too often love things and use people, when we should be using things and loving people.'
..................................... .................................................
April 10,2009
Philippines
poem by Cynthia Buhain-Baello
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Daddy Was An Old Time Preacher Man
(Dolly Parton)
Daddy was an old time preacher man
He preacher the word of God throughout the land
He preached so plain a child could understand
Yes, Daddy was an old time preacher man
He told the people of he need to pray
He talked about God's wrath and judgement day
He preached about the great eternity
He preached hell so hot that you could feel the heat
Yes, Daddy was an old time preacher man
Aunt Leanona would get up to testify
And we'd sing "In The Sweet By And By"
The we'd sing "I'm On My Way To Canaan Land"
Yes, Daddy was an old time preacher man
Revivals and camp meetings went for weeks
Folks came from all around to hear him preach
Daddy said if one is saved it's worth it all
But the aisles were always filled at altar calls
Yes, Daddy was an old time preacher man
Daddy worked for God but asked for no pay
For he believed that God provides a way
We never had a lot but we got by
Guess it's 'cause the Lord was on Daddy's side
Yes, Daddy was an old time preacher man
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Serve Fresh Bread Daily (1)
Anointed has a priest to be
Through holy oil the truth to see
Secrets of God they understand
Revealed to them in Jesus’ hand
But some still try to preach of sin
Without God’s Holy Ghost within
Using sweet words none to offend
They’ll only speak of God as friend
A God who’s heart’s so full of peace
His grace and love will never cease
They’ll take great care to choose each word
An angry God is seldom heard
With such stale bread they’ll feed God’s church
No wonder sheep through hunger search
For pastures green, by Jesus led
To a priest not spiritually dead
No priest should preach to fill their purse
Otherwise they’ll reap God’s curse Eze.34: 2
If Christ The Lord we’ll truly please
We’ll seek His face upon our knees
No child of God is mocked for long
Eating stale bread, washed down with song
The Lord sees well His children’s plight
From these shepherds, they’ll take their flight
So priest of God be not deceived
Speak the truth so God’s not grieved
Give through His Son your spiritual best
Then stand aside; He’ll do the rest
When called, you’ll know these words are true
That God awaits much fruit from you –Jn.15: 2
So from the flock that none should fall
Let’s make The Lord our one and all…PTO…
poem by Michael P. Johnson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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‘holy Family Church House-warming, Perundurai, T.n.’
Excerpt from Dr John Celes’ Welcome Speech
(to be held on 05-02-2010)
The Shepherd comes to meet his flock,
And bless the church that’s newly built,
Wherein an older church had stood on rock –
A sacred ground of prayer for Catholics!
Let’s welcome him; let’s welcome him, ye sheep!
He brings with him his staff that protects us;
This is the time our hearts with joy must weep;
The anointing will give us greater bliss.
Let’s thank the Lord for giving us this house
Of prayer to worship the ‘King of kings’;
Let everyone take Jesus Christ as spouse,
And tread the road to heaven as earthlings.
The Church though small looks splendidly laid out;
It has been christened ‘Holy Family Church’;
Our parish is a small one without doubt,
Nevertheless, peeps in internet-search!
The flock is one led by our parish priest,
Father Claudius, a dynamic, young man!
Who works hard without mistakes in the least;
‘May God give him good health and long life-span! ’
Our heart-felt thanks to Bishop and all souls
Who gave the land for building the new Church;
Our hearty thanks to all who played new roles,
And doled the sums that can now help to preach.
God made it possible to build His house!
Let’s worship Him with masses, hymns and pray;
Let’s reach the world at the click of a mouse!
And preach the Word of God by night and day.
We thank You God for giving us this place,
And worship Jesus Christ, as a family;
Let sweat of foreheads reinforce this base,
And help to rear this provident LILY!
Dedicated to: The Most. Rev. Dr. Thomas Aquinas M.A., DCL.,
Bishop of Coimbatore diocese
Rev. Fr. Xavier Claudius, the Parish priest and
All parishners of ‘Holy Family Church, Perundurai, T.N., ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-11-2010
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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No Man Knows
No man knows the day or hour, when The Lord shows His Power,
Coming for the Church of God, to take men from the earth’s sod,
When only those who truly believe, Christ, The Lord shall receive,
On our Lord’s predetermined Day, regardless what men shall say.
For many by their own deduction, distort Scripture to destruction,
Distorting Scripture in their mind, while leaving valid Truth behind,
Many words from our Dear Lord, by these teachers goes ignored,
Passages in the Word of God, they dismiss with an arrogant nod.
Their appetites are not God’s Truth, but their desires unto reproof,
Straying from what prophets said, to preach all they want instead,
Today they’re judged by men, but their words God shall condemn,
All their prophecies spoke arrogantly, will fail for all people to see.
Still other men will follow suit, with teachings God shall not repute,
As they distort Holy Scripture, not true to God’s prophetic picture,
Skewed becomes God’s Revelation, by man’s simple imagination,
Untruths that cause many to jeer, at The Word, that all should fear.
Men’s prophecies continue to fail, while God’s Truths shall prevail,
And just as God stated my friend, knowing the beginning and end;
By these men doubts are raised, but God’s Word shall be praised,
When all the Scripture we have read, shall be fulfilled as God said!
Preacher Boy
Jeanne burns / billie holiday
He was lanky and tall as a beanpole
And he wind fanned my heart to a flame
As he looked to the sky
And theres no wonder why
For preacher boy was his name
With his old yaller dog there beside him
And his eyes throwin sparks in the sun
I grew faint from the heat
From my heart to my feet
When I knew preacher boy was the one
Then he didnt say much
Hes the silent kind
But his arms were strong
Just the same as his mind
And my knees grew weak
As I clung to him
My preacher boy, my preacher boy
But he heard the call
Now hes left me
For his faith was stronger than i
And thought we are apart
Yet hes still in my heart
My preacher boy, my preacher boy
My wonderful preacher boy
song performed by by Billie Holiday
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Preacher Writer
'You should be a preacher
That is where you make good'
I heard that frequent answer
And I'm sadly misunderstood!
That role could make me richer
But I can't deal with demands
And so I better stay where
The LORD beside me will stand.
And this here is my pulpit
All the message I can preach
No need for members to meet
And all the world I can reach!
Amen!
poem by Cynthia Buhain-Baello
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Holy Roller
-Copyrighted & registed 2008 ASCAP Music/Austin-Tatious Music-(Preach-2-the-Preachers Ministries)
Dedicated to those who worship the numbers, money, influence, affluence, and holier-than-thou pragmatism that modern churches & mega-churches have eroded to.
The Holy Roller
Hey Holy-Roller, you're just too funny;
How you give that church, mountains of money.
Preacher gets money, lives high on the hog;
Feeds Filet Mignon, to his weenie-dog!
Church says 'Good Holy, gets stars in his crown; '
But, he still ignores, the homeless downtown!
He knows that bible, quotes it all the time,
Church grows richer but, they can't spare a dime!
Church got pearly gate, and a golden street,
Children face winter, in their cold, bare-feet.
Preacher's new Hummer, is So-Very-Fine,
Bag-Lady stands in, the soup-kitchen line.
That Holy-Roller, looks up t'ward the sky;
His eyes on the prize, he can't wait to die.
Saved and self-righteous, he's got it all planned,
He will play the harp, in the Angel Band.
He say's, 'cha-ri-ty, should begin at home, '
But home's a sidewalk, and my pillow's stone.
Lukewarm and wealthy, he don't understand,
'Cause he likes his head, buried in the sand.
He says 'Cut taxes! ' and 'Just end welfare! '
'No more free lunches! ' and 'No free healthcare! '
He asks, 'Why must THEY, always take and take? ...'
It's not his problem, he tells us 'Eat cake! '
He was raised poor too, he should know better,
I think I just might, write him a letter...
Dear Holy-Roller, now, for what it's worth...
Your path to Heaven, should begin on Earth.
Enjoy your Sunday-Church-Celebration,
Pray for us sinners, for our salvation.
Go pray 'til you're blue, tithe your ten percent,
But, PRIDE'S a sin too/When will you repent?
Church says 'Old Holy, gets stars in his crown; '
He LOVES ev'ry-one, long as they ain't brown!
He knows that bible, quotes it all the time,
Church grows richer, guess it's organized crime!
Church got pearly gate, and a golden street,
Children face winter, in their cold, bare-feet.
Preacher's new mansion, is on Easy Street,
Poor Mama wonders, 'What will baby eat? '
Hey Holy-Roller, you're just too funny;
How you give that church, s**t-loads of money.
Preacher takes money, lives high on the hog;
Feeds Filet Mignon, to his weenie-dog!
PS: Mr. Holy... for what it's worth...
The path to Heaven, starts right here on Earth!
'If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.'
- George S. Patton
'When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.'
-Sinclair Lewis
poem by ToddMichael St. Pierre
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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To give and take is way of life
To give and take
Is way of life
They go side by side
Alone none can survive
If one takes
One has to give
That is the best reply
One can give
Relation spoil
Differences arise
One is considered
Mean and selfish
If one doesn’t give
Be a giver
Then a taker
Every preacher
Every saint
Teaches the same
poem by Nirantar Dr.Rajendra Tela
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Key
Let me in your life
Open up the door
Let me in your heart
Give me the key
Youre the only one
Ill ever want
Show me the way
Give me the key
Give me the key
Give me the key
I wont let you down
Ill never let you go
Ill love you forever
Give me the key
Youre the only one
That knows what I need
Take me in your arms
Give me the key
Give me the key
Give me the key
I dont want to wait
Another second more
Im down on my knees
Give me the key
Im over my head
Too far gone
You know how I feel
Give me the key
Give me the key
Give me the key
Give me the key
Give me the key
Give me the key
Give me the key
Give me the key
Give me the key
(m.charlton)
Copyright 1989 elgin music
song performed by by Nazareth
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Give Up
(bernard edwards/nile rodgers)
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
You better listen well
When I tell you
To be on the look out
You cant call for help
cause I know you inside out
Despite all your hideouts
Im no great pretender
Ill make you surrender
So come along quietly
Heres a thought to remember
I have not met a man yet
To escape from my drag-net
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Ill give you just the facts man
And you can draw all your own conclusions
Ill keep your mind surrounded
With chains of love so strong
You cant break through them
My arsenal is stocked
With all kinds of seductive weapons
Although your hearts locked up
My love will assist me
So that you cant resist me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
No, no, no
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
Give up, give up
Give up youre love to me
song performed by by Diana Ross
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Q and A Show
Sometimes I ask the Lord in prayers, What's the meaning of life?
I wonder what the Bible says about Man's pain and strife?
Sometimes I think I understand, at other times, I'm lost!
So many doctrines close at hand that followed Pentecost!
One preacher says I should be rich! Like Oliver, ask more!
Then suddenly, another hitch, one preacher says stay poor.
One says to tithe and give a tenth, another says a fifth!
I pray to God, Grant me the strength! The strength that I mite give!
Should I stay single or get wed? If children come, what then?
So many questions in my head and all beyond my ken!
I know... Take one day at a time. No need to know it all.
So much to learn, I know that I'm not likely to recall.
I'm like a sponge absorbing truth, if only someone knew!
If only someone had the proof, perhaps I'd have a clue.
If only Jesus told me stuff! I'd listen all day long.
Then I'd obey the God I love, by learning write from rong.
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Give God's Way!
What did God give us?
God gave Adam life from the dust of the earth
God gave Adam his wife Eve to be one flesh
So do we make man in our own image to give to God
No sin has made that impassable to give God
God gave us the pure blood of mammals for one sin
Yet history of sin gives God nothing!
God gave his only Son Christ's blood for all sins
So now a holy God can love a pure creation
Why dose God have us give?
Jesus gave us his eternal life & holy spirit
We are to love God with all heart and soul
And love our neighbor as our self
For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
The TV church world's treasure is money for miracles
They teach if you give more then you have?
The Pharisees, who loved money
Heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.
God gives you more then you need?
No servant can serve two masters
You cannot serve both God and Money.
He overturned the tables of the money changers
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth
Where thieves break in and steal.
If money is not my treasure what do I give?
He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar
Abraham! I am here Do not lay a hand on the boy
God wants you to be not greedy for money eager to serve
To give of the heart trust and faith without expection
Is all God ever wanted from us!
Jesus gave us his treasured life and Holy Spirit
We need to serve all our actions money and lives
Not a debt we can repay but out love for God & his son
It's time we give back out of love.
God loves a cheerful giver
poem by John Raymond
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Son Of A Preacher Man
(john hurley / ronnie wilkins)
Billy-ray was a preachers son
And when his daddy would visit hed come along
When they gathered round and started talkin
Thats when billy would take me walkin
A-through the back yard wed go walkin
Then hed look into my eyes
Lord knows to my surprise
The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, mmm, yes he was
Being good isnt always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin to me
Hed come and tell me everything is all right
Hed kiss and tell me everything is all right
Can I get away again tonight?
The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, lord knows he was
How well I remember
The look that was in his eyes
Stealin kisses from me on the sly
Takin time to make time
Tellin me that hes all mine
Learnin from each others knowing
Lookin to see how much weve grown
And the only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, oh, yes he was
He was the sweet-talking son of a preacher man
I guessed he was the son of a preacher man
Sweet-lovin son of a preacher man
Ahh, move me
song performed by by Dusty Springfield
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Give It Up
She said she wanted more of that stuff
The stuff that makes your heart your heart go pitter-pat
The stuff that makes everything turn blue and green
She said that she prefers it like that
Give it up
Give it uh-uh-up
Give it up
Hey
Up up up up up up up
Give it up
Ha ha ha
Give it up
Up up up up up up hey
She said the one in the gas he used to be
So many people starving and fighting
Too many salesman
Too many batteries
Says she likes getting high cos it's free
Give it up
Give it uh-uh-up
Give it up
Hey
Up up up up up up up
Give it up
Ha ha ha
Give it up
Hey
Up up up up up up hey
(g-g-g-g-give it up)
Ha ha hnnn
Give it up
Give it uh-uh-up
Give it up
Hey
Up up up up up up up
Give it up
Ha ha haaa
Hey
song performed by by Radiohead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Give Me Something Other Than What Is Preached
Give me liberty...
Or something else I can value.
The cost of maintaining my freedom...
Has already achieved for me deepening debt!
Give me a solution.
Or something today that makes more sense...
Than turning on my TV
To watch the media salute crime.
With repeated decadence.
Give me less self righteousness...
From those who profess,
They harbor no racistness.
And yet they do their best...
To leave that smothered to go unaddressed.
Give me honesty and truth.
Even from a pulpit...
These days that is rare!
Give me something other than what is preached!
Something other than what is exposed,
Blatantly on the streets.
Give me something other...
Than lessons that teach evilness and sin!
Give me something other...
Than addicting temptations,
Left at my doorstep to let in!
Give me someone who does 'not' commit a crime...
Does prison time.
And then 'finds' God...
To declare His word to me.
Wanting to preach to me from scriptures...
And that God has 'revealed' to him...
A need I have,
He now 'sees'.
Please! !
Give me something other...
Than a rehabilitation done,
By those who have not sacrificed their lives...
Trying to live a life from the beginning that is right!
Then I will know there is some positivity...
Trying to clean and clear this polluted air!
Choking with a reekness.
To leave masses insane to make claims,
For material gains perceived with deceptions...
That no one with 'insight' is aware of their aims.
Since everything else...
Experienced by those still left with good intentions,
Seems to be a marketing of a recycled mess!
By those on the 'right' denouncing those 'liberal'
Standing on the left!
Leaving no one to accept responsibility.
And those who desire to...
Are treated with much disrespect!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Mulholland's Contract
The fear was on the cattle, for the gale was on the sea,
An' the pens broke up on the lower deck an' let the creatures free --
An' the lights went out on the lower deck, an' no one near but me.
I had been singin' to them to keep 'em quiet there,
For the lower deck is the dangerousest, requirin' constant care,
An' give to me as the strongest man, though used to drink and swear.
I see my chance was certain of bein' horned or trod,
For the lower deck was packed with steers thicker'n peas in a pod,
An' more pens broke at every roll -- so I made a Contract with God.
An' by the terms of the Contract, as I have read the same,
If He got me to port alive I would exalt His Name,
An' praise His Holy Majesty till further orders came.
He saved me from the cattle an' He saved me from the sea,
For they found me 'tween two drownded ones where the roll had landed me --
An' a four-inch crack on top of my head, as crazy as could be.
But that were done by a stanchion, an' not by a bullock at all,
An' I lay still for seven weeks convalessing of the fall,
An' readin' the shiny Scripture texts in the Seaman's Hospital.
An' I spoke to God of our Contract, an' He says to my prayer:
"I never puts on My ministers no more than they can bear.
So back you go to the cattle-boats an' preach My Gospel there.
"For human life is chancy at any kind of trade,
But most of all, as well you know, when the steers are mad-afraid;
So you go back to the cattle-boats an' preach 'em as I've said.
"They must quit drinkin' an' swearin', they mustn't knife on a blow,
They must quit gamblin' their wages, and you must preach it so;
For now those boats are more like Hell than anything else I know."
I didn't want to do it, for I knew what I should get,
An' I wanted to preach Religion, handsome an' out of the wet,
But the Word of the Lord were lain on me, an' I done what I was set.
I have been smit an' bruis]\ed, as warned would be the case,
An' turned my cheek to the smiter exactly as Scripture says;
But following that, I knocked him down an' led him up to Grace.
An' we have preaching on Sundays whenever the sea is calm,
An' I use no knife or pistol an' I never take no harm,
For the Lord abideth back of me to guide my fighting arm.
An' I sign for four-pound-ten a month and save the money clear,
An' I am in charge of the lower deck, an' I never lose a steer;
An' I believe in Almighty God an' preach His Gospel here.
The skippers say I'm crazy, but I can prove 'em wrong,
For I am in charge of the lower deck with all that doth belong --
~Which they would not give to a lunatic, and the competition so strong!~
poem by Rudyard Kipling
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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