Sermon Tone Analysis

Sometimes the way seems rough and steep,

And we find no where to place our feet;

But with our hand in His, and a faith sublime,

We’re always able the hill to climb.

If there are Gethsemanes we must pass through,

We ask ourselves, “What did Jesus do?”

He knelt and prayed, “Not my will but thine.”

Now help us Lord to place our hand in thine.

Note: This poem was given to me, quoted to me actually while serving an interim at the Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC.

This dear elderly lady was a resident of a local nursing home during that time (c.

1978-1979).

The pastor of the church and I visited with her and when she learned that I was preparing for a career in ministry, but attended a Methodist College (Wofford, Spartanburg, SC) she was greatly concerned that I do not leave the Baptist denomination to become a Methodist.

I remember before we said our goodbyes, she stood before me, took my hands in hers, and looked up at me through very thick bifocals and began to quote this poem to me which she had written.

I later asked her daughter if she could obtain a copy of the poem for me.

She did so and asked that whenever I use it to always credit her mother.

I have used this poem perhaps more than any other, especially at funerals and always credit this sweet little lady, Clara L. Childers.