| |
| (From an evangelist's sermon) |
| |
| The Devil called a meeting and the imps came
filing in |
| A puzzled look had now replaced each usual
impish grin. |
| For the Devil was pacing back and forth across
the room |
| The expression he was wearing was one of utter
gloom. |
| |
| "There's a revival going on", he thundered,
"up there in Lorain. |
| That Brother Schunk is at his pulpit -
poundin'-preachin' again. |
| You know the line he gives them and scares
them half to death |
| 'Til they go running down the aisles all out
of breath. |
| |
| Where were you imps, when weeks ago, their
pastor started raving |
| About the great revival that Lorain would soon
be having? |
| He even set up prayer meetings in folks homes
every day |
| Come on, speak up, you useless imps!
What have you got to say?" |
| |
| So Number One stepped forward and with
faltering voice replied, |
| "I'm sure you won't believe me, sir, how very
hard we tried |
| But when a whole church-full of people start
praying every day |
| We can't get them to listen to anything we
say." |
| |
| "Enough of that!", the Devil cried, "I'll hear
no more from you! |
| Where's my Inventor of Good Excuses?"
And out stepped Number Two. |
| "Well, sir, they made out lists of folks we
thought belonged to us |
| They called them up and visited and made an
awful fuss. |
| |
| I've worked out some pretty good excuses but I
can't seem to get thru |
| With all that visiting and praying I just
don't know what else to do." |
| "Get lost!", the Devil shouted. "You're
of no further use to me. |
| Now if you'll all be quiet, we'll hear a
report from Number Three." |
| |
| "I've attended every service", Three bragged
"and my poor old ears are ringing |
| That songleader they have up there sure gets
those people singing. |
| The evangelist starts warning folks that they
are bound for Hell |
| You'd almost think he'd been here; he knows
the place so well. |
| |
| Then all at once his face lights up as he
tells them there's still hope |
| If they'll just turn to Jesus before they
reach "the end of the rope" |
| And then he asks them to raise their hands and
warns them not to lie |
| He wants to know if they're sure of reaching
Heaven when they die." |
| |
| And then a kind of wistful look passes across
his ageless face; |
| "They make it sound so wonderful, I'd like to
see inside the place." |
| The impish grin returned then and his voice
now stronger grew, |
| "While we were busy trying, Mister Devil,
where were you?" |
| |
| Now the Devil cringed a little and took a
couple paces back |
| His wise old eyes looked beady and his face
fell kind of slack |
| "I've also been there every night; the songs
had no effect on me. |
| The things he says of Hell are just as true as
they can be. |
| |
| But when he calls the Holy Spirit down and
lets Him have control |
| I know I've lost the battle for at least
another soul. |
| Now all you imps get busy and keep right on
your toes! |
| The people may slow down there when the
evangelist goes." |
