Don’s Corner
- Pastor Don Cameron
G’day All
I was at a Concern Australia meeting last week where John Smith, speaking on the harmful effects of substance abuse, read out the following poem (see below). He then spoke in favour of prevention rather than ‘harm minimisation’ and said some great stuff.
I thought the poem was worth passing on… And it was written over 100 years ago!
A Fence or an Ambulace
A poem about prevention – Josephe Maline (1895)
’Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed
Though to walk near it’s crest was so pleasant;
But over it’s terribly edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said “Put a fence ‘round the edge of the cliff,“
Some, “An ambulance down in the valley.“
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day
For it spread through the neighbouring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became full of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.
“For the cliff is all right, if you’re carefull,” they said,
“And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below when they’re stopping.“
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulances down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked: “It’s a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results that to stopping the cause,
When they’d much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at it’s source all this mischief,” cried he,
“Come neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley.“
“Oh he’s a fanatic,” the others rejoined,
“Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He’d dispense with all charities, too, if he could;
No! No! We’ll support them forever.
Aren’t we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?“
But the sensible few, who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice and pen,
And while other philanthropists dally,
They will scorn all pretense, and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.
Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old
For the voice of true wisdom is calling.
“To rescue the fallen is good, but ‘tis best
To prevent other people from falling.“
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence ‘round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
MARANATHA!
Pastor Don Cameron
Work: 9794 5654 / 0415 888 528
