[293]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE STORY OF WILLIAM SHUTTLEWORTH
Alternate title if you like - WITNESS ON THE PATH OF LIFE
Just to begin – you may wonder why I use =========== to separate stanzas. It is because the simple formatting in Sermon Central puts all the lines together and does not distinguish stanzas. Sorry about that.
This is a poem of salvation; a testimony; testimony to what God does in one’s life. It is a generic poem, that is, it tells a story but not directly of a person who necessarily lived. The experience here is a synthesis of a person, and using various backgrounds, and coming to Christ, or as we say, being born again.
When I was much younger – 65 years ago – it was common in meetings and gospel meetings for people to give their testimony. It generally followed this pattern:- The people would say how bad they were and how they came to be saved and then what they love about the Christian life.
The idea of that was good but there were times it opened the door to exaggeration and even some fibbing.
I remember in teenage Bible school we used to be given books at the end of the year for presents. As this was in the late 1950s early 1960s, some of the books of testimony came out of the Billy Graham Crusades. Two books I remember I got – AND LOVED – were “The Devil at My Heels,” by Louis Zamperini and the other by Jim Vaus and I am not sure of the title but it comes out today under “Why I Quit Syndicated Crime”. I think originally, it had a title to do with Wire Tapping.
Although this poem is not connected with anyone, it does tell a story, and the story of conversion and I hope you can appreciate it.
{{2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. The old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”}}
{{John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”}}
{{Romans 5:9-10 “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. If while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”}}
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THE STORY OF WILLIAM SHUTTLEWORTH
William Shuttleworth was born in London.
His parents were poor and greatly deprived.
They did their best but were not capable,
So by his own means, young William survived.
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By the age of ten, grimy and unkempt,
He linked with other rag tags on the street.
With language coarse and behaviour vulgar,
They knew of only one way to compete.
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Pickpocketing became their skilful art;
Their tools were sleight of hand and fleet of foot.
Not from the poor they extracted their means,
But into rich pockets their hands they put.
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Transient street kids they were, quite astute,
At relocating when the police appeared.
Their practiced art continued for some years,
Until, on more dangerous paths they veered.
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Petty violence with robbery became
Their stock in trade, ‘till one eventful day,
There was a raid and most were arrested.
William, by devious means, got away.
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The year that dawned was eighteen forty-eight.
William had moved into the country side.
He reasoned that obscurity out there,
From the law, would be a good place to hide.
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Through cunning guile and opportunism
He eked out for himself a wayward life,
And took his chances whenever they came -
In and out of trouble and frequent strife.
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What had he achieved of worthy mention
In all his thirty-one years with nothing?
Nothing to show and nothing of substance;
No prospects; no future, no anything.
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Then one day in his miserable state,
A traveller met him camped by the lane.
The newcomer was different, kindly,
A man of character, gentle and sane.
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He took an in’trest in William right there,
Relating to him his own life’s report.
He had been a violent man up ‘till when
He was sentenced to jail, taken from court.
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It was there a tract came into his hands;
A gospel tract that had opened his eyes;
Showed him clearly his sinful condition;
That he was hell bound after his demise.
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It spoke of a Saviour given for man,
Who died at Calvary to take his place;
Who’d forgive all his sins and make him whole;
Make him a recipient of God’s grace.
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In jail, that man was born again in hope;
Became a new creation of God’s love.
His life turned around dramatically,
And now he witnessed for Christ above.
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William listened patiently to the man,
As the Holy Spirit worked in his heart.
His life was canvassed before him in shame,
But it was hard, from his old life, to part.
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He struggled with the decision he knew
That he had to take to become God’s child.
The message was in clearest light that shone,
And exposed his soul that was so defiled.
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God won victoriously that blessed day,
As William joined the members of the Bride.
He then, likewise carried the gospel news,
And walked the paths of life, Christ at his side.
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Take from this account one important thing -
A word along the paths of life for God
Can reap a harvest for eternity.
Gird up your life and tread as William trod!
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7 September 2021 R E Ferguson 10-10-10-10 ABCB
Alternate Title - WITNESS ON THE PATH OF LIFE