10 Little Christians

10 Little Christians standing in line
1 disliked the preacher, then there were 9

9 little Christians stayed up very late
1 overslept Sunday, then there were 8

8 little Christians on their way to Heaven
1 took the low road and then there were 7

7 little Christians chirping like chicks
1 disliked music, then there were 6

6 little Christians seemed very much alive
But one lost his interest then there were 5

5 little Christians pulling for Heaven’s Shore
But one stopped to rest, then there were 4

4 little Christians each busy as a bee
But one got his feelings hurt, then there were 3

3 little Christians knew not what to do
1 joined the sporty crowd, then there were 2

2 little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done
Differed with each other, then there was 1

1 little Christian can’t do much ’tis true;
But brought his friend to Bible study — then there were 2

2 earnest Christians, each won one more
That doubled the number, then there were 4

4 sincere Christians worked early and late
Each won another then there were 8

8 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 belong either to the building – or to the wrecking-crew!

— Author Unknown