TEN LITTLE CHURCHMEN

(A newspaper cutting found amongst the late Phyllis Hatcher’s effects and written some fifty years ago)

TEN little Churchmen went to Church when fine;
But it started raining, and then there were nine.

NINE little Churchmen stayed up very late;
One overslept himself, and then there were eight.

EIGHT little Churchmen on the road to Heaven;
One joined a bowling club and then there were seven.

SEVEN little Churchmen heard of Sunday ‘flicks’;
One thought he’d like to go, and then there were six.

SIX little Churchmen kept the place alive;
The Vicar upset one of them and then there were five.

FIVE little Churchmen seemed loyal to the core;
One bought a television set and then there were four.

FOUR little Churchmen argued heatedly;
Over ceremonial, and then there were three.

THREE little Churchmen sang the service through;
Got a hymn they didn’t know, and then there were two.

TWO little Churchmen disputed who should run
The next parochial concert, and then there was one.

ONE faithful Churchman, knowing what to do,
Got a friend to come to Church, and then there were two.

TWO sincere Churchmen each bought one more;
So their number doubled, and then there were four.

FOUR sturdy Churchmen simply couldn’t wait
Till they found four others, and then there were eight.

EIGHT eager Churchmen searching round for souls,
Praying, working, witnessing, drew others in by shoals.

SHOALS and shoals at every service, cramming every pew,
O God, supply the grace to make this ending true

(a newspaper cutting found amongst Phyllis Hatcher’s effects and written some fifty years ago)