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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