Here is a pointed story, which has been told in rhyme,
About a certain preacher, who lived once upon a time.
At one of his appointments, some members – not a few
Became sorely troubled, about the word – “INTO”.
The good book says quite plainly, in Acts 8 “They came unto”,
And “Went down INTO water”, as Bible people do.
This man preached a sermon, with zeal and power and might,
And to his satisfaction, he set the passage right!
“INTO” there doesn’t mean INTO, but AT, or NEAR, or BY
They went down TO the water, and got a small supply.
Now, near this place of worship, there lived a sister Brown,
Who, by her splendid cooking, had gotten much reknown.
And her delicious coffee, On all the circuit round,
The preacher oft said boldly, “It’s like could not be found”
When he would preach a sermon, of extra power and length,
He liked at her good table, to recuperate his strength.
She was a simple Christian – no better in the land,
And oft reproved the daring, for changing God’s command.
She heard Jones’ “INTO” sermon, and thought the matter o’er
Then asked him home to dinner, as she had done before.
She ground her well-browned coffee, the kettle steaming hot,
And put it AT, not INTO, the famous coffeepot.
She poured for him a cupful, I think she did not sin,
Why, sister – you’ve forgotten, to put the coffee in!!
No, No! Dear Sir, that’s coffee, I ground a good supply,
And then down by the vessel, I put it AT, NEAR BY.
By logic of your sermon, (I think it very thin),
If AT or NEAR means INTO, I put the coffee IN!
But if you promise now, no more this stuff to teach,
Or dodge God’s plain commandment, when you attempt to preach.
I’ll go and make some coffee, just to a Bible dot
And I will put the coffee, INTO the coffeepot!!
I showered and shaved, I adjusted my tie.