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12438. One Day I Dream

One day as I was fast asleep

I had this stirring dream;

I was caught up to be with God.

With angels it did seem.

And while up there, I met God’s saints

From many parts of the earth.

Now some were great and famous men,

And some of humble birth.

I talked to one great saint of God,

The first one I had met.

He told me how he died for Christ.

His words I can’t forget.

He lived, he said, in Bible days

And died at Nero’s stake.

"It was a joy to give my all

And burn for Jesus’ sake."

"I was so glad to die for Christ,"

With humble words he said.

But as I listened to it all.

I bowed my guilty head.

Another man then gently spoke,

"Here is my story, friend.

’Twas cannibals that took my life,

Because I would not bend.

"I tried to tell those heathen souls

Of Christ who came to die.

They ate my flesh and drank my blood

But sent my soul on high.

"Of course up here are millions more

With stories rare and true.

But friend, before I tell you more,

Let’s hear your story too."

I am ashamed of how I’ve failed,

I’ve known no sacrifice.

I am ashamed of how I’ve failed,

I’ve paid such little price.

I’ve never even given funds

To send the Gospel out,

I’ve lived a life of luxury

And never done without.

Those costly cars, those extra clothes

Seem needless now, and vain;

The very thought of how I’ve lived

Now fills my heart with pain.

Just then it seemed that Jesus said,

"Take up my cross today;

I’ll give to you another chance

To work and give and pray."

My guilty heart began to burn,

My nervous body shake.

Then I awoke with tear-filled eyes

With new resolves to make.

I told the Lord from that day forth

My best, my all I’d give

To win the lost in every place,

For this alone I’d live.

I told the Lord that from then on

I would not waste a dime;

That I would give myself to prayer

And really use my time.

That I would seek with all my heart

That power from above

To help me tell a heathen world

Of Jesus’ grace and love.

—Pilgrim Gospel Messenger