Pastor Jack Abeelen

T’was battered and scarred and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while;

To spend much time with the old violin, but he held it up with a smile.

What am I bid good folks he cried. Who’ll start the bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar, who’ll make it two? Only two who’ll make it three?

3 dollars once, 3 dollars twice and going for 3 but no!

From the room far back came a gray haired man and he picked up the violin with the bow.

And wiping the dust from the old violin and tightening the loosened strings;

He played a melody as pure and sweet as caroling angels sing.

When the music ceased, the auctioneer, in a voice both quiet and low; 

Said what am I bid for this old violin, and he held it up with a bow.

1000 dollars, who’ll make it two; 2000 who’ll make it 3?

3000 once, 3000 twice, and going and gone said he.

Many people cheered while others cried we do not understand;

What changed its’ worth, swift came the reply, the touch of the master’s hand.

And many a man with life out of tune, and battered and scarred by sin

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin.

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine, a game and he travels on;

He’s going once, he’s going twice, he’s going and almost gone.

But the master comes and the foolish crowd never could quite understand;

The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought, by the touch of the master’s hand.

Saved and given a new song,

Pastor Jack Abeelen