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The “Into” Sermon

The following story by an unknown author, illustrates the importance of correctly dividing God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV), keeping all subject matter in context (see 4):

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, “They came UNTO” (Acts 8:36 KJV),
And “went down INTO” water (Acts 8:38 KJV) — as Bible people do.

This person preached a sermon with zeal and power and might,
And, to his satisfaction, he set the passage right!
“Into, there, don’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 renown.
And her delicious coffee! On all the circuit round,
The preacher said oft boldly, “Its 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 he had done before,
She ground the well-browned coffee — the kettle steaming hot,
And put it AT, not INTO, the famous coffee pot.
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 thought it very thin),
If AT, or NEAR, means INTO, I put the coffee IN!

But if you will promise no more such stuff to teach,
Nor dodge God’s plain command 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 coffee pot!”