10.26.2008

"I will go straight to God"


Jack Vinson
Kiangsu Province, Mainland China
1931

The bandit told the missionary, "I'm going to kill you. Aren't you afraid?"
Jack Vinson replied simply, "Kill me, if you wish. I will go straight to God."
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Vinson's courage inspired his friend E.H. Hamilton to write this poem:
Afraid? Of what?
To feel the Spirit's glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife of strain and life to cease?
Afraid -- of that?
Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Savior'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;
Darkness, light, O Heaven's art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
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?

1 comment:

heyyy chloe said...

that's truly beautiful.


when i see something so honest and lovely, i just want to jump up and down for joy.

(i almost did right in the living room with dad snoring on the couch)