Poem
The Touch Of The Master's Hand
It was battered and scarred, And the auctioneer thought it Hardly worth his while To waste his time on the old violin, But he held it up with a smile. "What am I bid, good people", he cried, "Who starts the bidding for me?" "One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?" "Two dollars, who makes it three?" "Three dollars once, three dollars twice, Going for three". . . but no! From the room far back a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow; Then wiping the dust from the old violin, And tightening up the strings, He played a melody, pure and sweet, As sweet as an angel sings. The music ceased and the auctioneer With a voice that was quiet and low, Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?" As he held it aloft with its bow. "One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?" "Two thousand, Who makes it three?" "Three thousand once, three thousand twice, Going and gone", said he. The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not quite 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 with 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, and going twice - He's going - and almost gone! But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd, Never can quite understand, The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought By the touch of the MASTER'S hand. -Myra Brooks Welch Myra Brooks Welch (1877-1959) was conferred the title "The poet with the singing soul." She wrote the above poem for the benefit of her church congregants. It was published in The Gospel Messenger of 26 February 1921. The poem was also published in the book The Touch Of The Master's Hand (1957) by Brethren Press. In 1997, Brethren Press released The Story Behind the Touch of the Master’s Hand, the story of Myra Brooks Welch and the poem that made her famous.
It was battered and scarred, And the auctioneer thought it Hardly worth his while To waste his time on the old violin, But he held it up with a smile. "What am I bid, good people", he cried, "Who starts the bidding for me?" "One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?" "Two dollars, who makes it three?" "Three dollars once, three dollars twice, Going for three". . . but no! From the room far back a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow; Then wiping the dust from the old violin, And tightening up the strings, He played a melody, pure and sweet, As sweet as an angel sings. The music ceased and the auctioneer With a voice that was quiet and low, Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?" As he held it aloft with its bow. "One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?" "Two thousand, Who makes it three?" "Three thousand once, three thousand twice, Going and gone", said he. The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not quite 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 with 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, and going twice - He's going - and almost gone! But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd, Never can quite understand, The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought By the touch of the MASTER'S hand. -Myra Brooks Welch Myra Brooks Welch (1877-1959) was conferred the title "The poet with the singing soul." She wrote the above poem for the benefit of her church congregants. It was published in The Gospel Messenger of 26 February 1921. The poem was also published in the book The Touch Of The Master's Hand (1957) by Brethren Press. In 1997, Brethren Press released The Story Behind the Touch of the Master’s Hand, the story of Myra Brooks Welch and the poem that made her famous.
Replies
That was lovely although I had heard the phrase \"The touch of the Master\'s Hand\" that is the first time I have seen the poem in its entirety. Thanks for posting this. I am now going to look for Myra\'s story.
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Sorry about that prior blank post I mst have unintentionally clicked add comment .
But I wanted to type that this was an exceptional poem .I appreciate it very much .It is beautiful and positive . Wow I am in awe !Thank you for sharing it !!!!