There was a time I knew not love,

Nor the wondrous joys thereof.

Then God, with mercy great,

Opened wide the Gates of Grace.

There was a time this mongrel low,

carried in darkness, a lifeless soul.

Then by Grace and Mercy sweet,

God changed this dog into a sheep.

There was a time I would not go near

The alter with the saints so dear.

And as with their Father each one spoke,

I would hide behind the second row;

And cry from afar of my condition,

As saints gave a cheer for sin's remission.

Days and days I tried to endure,

Standing still for the cure.

Then one night as I cried,

The dear Son of God sat down by my side;

And all that the church had demonstrated for me,

God asked me simply to believe.

Well, I said at last, O.K.;

What more, or less, could I say?

Then as the peace of God circled round,

I laughed and did rest as I lie down.

And even now, though he cannot abuse me,

The Devil, each day, tries to accuse me;

Because there was a time I knew not love,

Nor the wondrous joys thereof.

Then God, with mercy great,

Opened wide the Gates of Grace.

Now I need not fear, no, I need not pine;

For my salvation is sure, because there once was a time.
 

-Robert Hunt

February 4, 1997