Afraid? Of What?

Afraid? Of what? 

To feel the spirit's glad release?

To pass fro pain to perfect peace, 

The strife and strain of life to cease?

Afraid? - of that? Afraid? Of What?

Afraid? Of what? 

Afraid to see the Savior's face

To hear his welcome, and to trace

The glory gleam from wounds of grace?

Afraid - of that? Afraid? Of what?

A flash, a crash, a pierced heart; 

Darkness, light O heaven's art!

A wound of his a counterpart!

Afraid - of that? Afraid? Of what?

To do by death what life could not - 

Baptize with blood a stony plot, 

Till souls shall blossom from the spot?

Afraid - of that?

This poem was written by E.H. Hamiliton, after hearing of the death of his missionary collegue Jack Vinson. Vinson was martyred in 1931 and showed no fear of death to his Chinese captors telling them, "Kill me, if you wish. I will go straight to God."