Ah, sinful child,
To disobey
The Word of God—
Hear, Ida May!
“Thou shalt not steal!”
Now hear Him say,
And you have stolen
From Mr. Gray.
The voice of God
Will you obey?
It whispers now,
Stop! Ida May,—
’Tis not too late,
Go back, you may
Return the plum
To Mr. Gray.
Then lift your heart
To God, and pray,
“Forgive the sin
Of Ida May.”
That still, small voice
She did obey,
And ran with haste
To Mr. Gray,
And told him all
Without delay;
The good man pitied
Ida May.
He gently wiped
Her tears away;
And when she left,
Kind Mr. Gray
Said to the child,
“One moment stay—
I’ll give some plums
To Ida May.”
“I could not eat
A plum to-day!”
Said Ida, then,
To Mr. Gray.