THE BOAT by George MacDonald

George MacDonald died in 1905 at age 80. He was a minister, poet, novelist and Christian apologist. He greatly influenced the thinking and work of C. S. Lewis.
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I owned a little boat a while ago.
And sailed the morning sea without a fear.
And whither any breeze might fairly blow
I steered my little craft afar and near.

Mine was the boat
And mine the air.
And mine the sea.
Nor mine a care.

My boat became my place of mighty toil.
I sailed at evening to the fishing ground.
At morn my boat was freighted with the spoil
Which my all-conquering work had found.

Mine was the boat.
And mine the net
And mine the skill
And power to get.

One day there came along that silent shore.
While I my net was casting in the sea.
A man who spoke as never man before.
I followed Him; new life began in me.

Mine was the boat
But His the voice.
And His the call.
Yet mine the choice.

Ah! 'twas a fearful night out on the lake.
And all my skill availed not, at the helm.
Till Him asleep I waked, crying, "Take
Thou the helm--lest water overwhelm!"

And His the boat.
And His the sea.
And His the peace.
O'er all and me.

Once from the boat He taught the curious throng.
Then bade me cast my net into the sea;
I murmured but obeyed, nor was it long
Before the catch amazed and humbled me.

His was the boat.
And His the skill
And His the catch.
And His my will.