Afraid? -a missionary's poem-

Afraid? Of what?
To feel the spirit's glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Saviour'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;
Brief darkness - Light - O Heaven's art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To enter into Heaven's rest,
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
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?


This poem was written by E.H. Hamiliton,
after hearing of the death
of his missionary collegue Jack Vinson.
Vinson was martyred in 1931 and showed no fear of
death to his Chinese captors, telling them,
"Kill me, if you wish. I will go straight to God."

http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Gateway-to-Joy/Afraid-of-What-Missionaries-to-China.html