The Faith of Little
Mary
The
father, a well digger was he,
Was
loving and kind as a father could be.
Mary,
his daughter, five years old,
Was
very much dearer than sliver or gold.
To
Mary, the father was big, strong, and great,
So
each had a treasure beyond any rate.
One
day little Mary to the well was sent
To
take Daddy’s dinner and gladly she went.
But
when she looked down not a thing could she see;
The
well like a pocket was dark as could be.
The
father saw Mary and heard her voice, too,
But
said not a word just to see what she would do.
She
dropped to her knees, that dear little soul,
And
cried, “Oh, Daddy, are you in that deep hole?”
“Yes,
Mary, my dear, I am here at your feet.
Just
drop me the lunch, I am ready to eat.
Now
let it down easy, I’ll catch it all right.”
She
did so, and saw it go down out of sight.
“Why,
Mary,” said he, “There is enough here for two.
Just
drop down to me, we will eat here together
Down
in the cool from the heat and the weather.”
”Oh,
Daddy, I’m afraid; I can’t see you at all.
Be
sure to catch me; don’t let me fall.”
T’was
just for a moment, she wavered in doubt,
Then
closing her eyes in the dark she jumped out.
She
trusted in faith in her father’s request,
And
both were happy. He kissed her and smiled
Because
of the sweet loving faith of the child.
“Oh,
Mary, my dear, you have put me to shame.
How
often my Father has called me the same;
But
because it was dark I wavered in doubt,
Refusing
the calls, though his arms were stretched out.
I
wanted some proof. I must see with my eyes,
And
so I wavered and lost the great prize.
To
him who’ll knock, the door open will be.
To
him who’ll ask, it shall be given to see.
To
him who’ll seek, the Lord says he shall find.
Until
I have faith and can bow ‘neath the rod,
Will
I inherit the Kingdom of God?”