A PREACHER ON THE FENCE

From out of the millions of the earth

God often calls a man

To preach His Word, and for the truth

To take a loyal stand.

It’s sad to see him shun the cross,

Nor stand in its defense

Between the fields of right and wrong

A preacher on the fence.

Before him are the souls of men

Destined for heaven or hell;

An open Bible in his hand, and yet he dare not tell

Them all the truth as written there;

He fears the consequence-

The shame of heaven, the joy of hell-

A preacher on the fence.

Most surely God has called that man

To battle for the right,

Tis his to ferret out the wrong

And turn on us the light.

He standeth not for right or wrong,

He feareth an offense,

Great God, deliver us from him

That preacher on the fence.

If he should stand up for the wrong,

The right he’d not befriend;

If he should boldly stand for right,

The wrong he would offend.

His mouth is closed, he dare not speak

For freedom or against.

The most disgusting thing on earth

A preacher on the fence.

His better judgement, common sense,

They pull him to the right;

Behold him grip that topmost rail,

And hold with all his might;

His love of praise, it holds him fast,

Keeps him from going hence,

Poor man! How fearful will be his plight

A preacher on the fence.

Author unknown