A little girl, scarce twelve years old,
Had heard her teacher say,
That every one who loves the Lord,
To Him will often pray.
She knew her parents careless lived,
God’s favor never sought;
And much desired that they should mind
Their duty as they ought.
Deeply concerned one Lord’s-day eve,
She to her father said,
“Shall we unite to sing a hymn,
Ere we retire to bed?”
At once he granted her request;
But when the hymn was sung,
“Father, may I a chapter read?”
She asked, with artless tongue.
To this he also gave consent;
Then she distinctly read
The chapter through which tells how Christ
Died in the sinner’s stead.
And then with faltering voice she ask’d,
“Now, Father, may I pray?”
“Oh, no,” he said, in angry tone,
“You do not know the way.”
“Father, I’ll try, if you’ll permit,”
The little girl replied;
Then he consented and knelt down
Close by his daughter’s side.
In earnest then the dear child pray’d,
And humbly ask’d the Lord
To change her parents’ sinful hearts.
That fervent prayer was heard.
In wisdom’s ways they since have walk’d,
And often bless’d the day
When their dear child so sweetly ask’d,
“Now, Father, may I pray?”
ML 11/20/1904