Ten Little Christians
Submitted by Zena McNabb, South Hadley, MA

Ten little Christians standing in line.
One disliked the preacher, then there were nine.

Nine little Christians stayed up very late.
One overslept Sunday, then there were eight.

Eight little Christians on their way to heaven.
One took the low road and then there were seven.

Seven little Christians chirping like chicks.
One disliked the music, then there were six.

Six little Christians seemed very much alive.
One lost his interest and then there were five.

Five little Christians pulling for Heaven’s Shore.
One stopped to rest, then there were four.

Four little Christians each busy as a bee.
One got his feelings hurt, and then there were three.

Three little Christians knew not what to do.
One joined the sporty crowd, and then there were two.

Two little Christians, our rhyme is almost done,
differed from each other and then there was one.

One little Christian can’t do much, ‘tis true.
Brought his friend to Bible Study – then there were two.

Two earnest Christians, each won one more.
That doubled the number, and then there were four.

Four sincere Christians worked early and late.
Each one another and then there were eight.

Eight splendid Christians, if they doubled as before,
In just so many Sundays, we’d have 1,024.

In this little jingle, there is a lesson true,
You either belong to the body

Or to the wrecking crew.