One Solitary Life

T

wo thousand years ago there was a man born contrary to the laws of nature. This man lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity.

He did not travel extensively. Only once did he cross the boundary of the country in which he lived. And that was during his exile in childhood to Egypt.

He possessed neither wealth nor influence. His relatives were inconspicuous and had neither training nor formal education.

In infancy he startled a king. In childhood he amazed Jewish leaders. In manhood he ruled the course of nature, walking upon the billows as if pavement. He hushed the sea to sleep.

He healed multitudes without medicine and made no charge for his service.

He never wrote a book and yet all the libraries of the country could not hold the books that have been written about him.

His name stands highest of
heavenly glory, acknowledged by
angels and feared by devils.

He never wrote a song, and yet he has furnished the theme for more songs than all the songwriters combined.

He never founded a college, but all the schools put together cannot boast of having as many students.

He never practiced psychiatry and yet he has healed more broken hearts than all the doctors far and near.

Names of great scientists, philosophers, and theologians have come and gone, but the name of this man abounds more and more.

Herod the Great could not destroy him and the grave could not hold him. His name stands highest of heavenly glory, acknowledged by angels and feared by devils.

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that One Solitary Life.

Credited to James Allan Francis, "One Solitary Life" (1963)

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