Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-04-08
leOetrp
Published by request
NO SECT IN HEAVEN.

Talking ~ sects" till late one eve.
on the various doctrines the saints believe
That night | stood in troubled dream
by the side Of darkly flowing stream,
And "Churchmsn" down TO the river came,
When | heard a strange voice call his name
"Go a Father, stop when you cross this tide
You must leave your robes on the other side"
But the aged Father did not mind,
And his long gown hoated GU, behind
As down TO the stream his way be took,
His pale hands olasDiHg gilt edged book
LIN bound for Heaven, and when I'm there
| shall want my book Of "Common Prayer"
And though put on starry crown"
| should feel quite lost without my gown"
Then he fixed his eyes on the shining track
But his gown was heavy and held him back
Aud the poor old Father tried in vain,
a single step in the food to gain.
saw him again on the other side.
But his silk gown hoated on the tide
And no one asked In that blissful spot
whether he belonged TO the Church not.
Then down to the river Quaker strayed,
HIS dress Of sombre hue was made
Ny coat and hat must be al Of grey
cannot go any other way"
Then be buttoned his coat straight up TO his chin,
And s,raightly and solemny he waded in.
And his broad-brimmed hat he pud down tight
Over his forehead 20 pale and white;
But strong wind carried away his hat
A moment he silently sighed over that
And then, as he gazed on the farther shore,
Inc coat slipped OIL and was seen no more
Went quietly sailing, away, away,
And none Of the angels questioned him
About the width Of his beavers brim.
Next came DIR. Watts with bundle Of Ps,lms
Tied nicely up in his aged arms,
And hymns as many, a very wise thing.
That the people in heaven all around might sing,
But thought that he heavcd an AM ious sigh
As he saw that the river ran broad and high,
And looked rather surprised that one by one
The ~. and the Hymns IN the tide went down.
And aner him. with his manuscripts.
Came Wesley, the pattern OF goodness;
But he cried, Dear me, what shall do,
The water has soaked them through and through"
Aud there on the river far and wide
Away they went down the swollen tide
And the saint sstonshed passed through alone
WITHOUT his manuscripts up to the throne.
Then gtAvely walking, two saints by name
Town to the stream together came.
But as they stopped At the rivers brink
saw one saint from the other shrink.
Sprinkled or plunged, may | ask yoa, friend,
How you attained 70 LIES great end
THUS, with = few drops on my brow"
But I've been dipped, as you see me now,
And really think 1t will hardly do,
As lm close communion, to cross with you.
You're bound know, TO the realms Of bliss,
But you must go that way and III go this
Then srsightgay panging with all his might
Away to the left, his friend TO the right,
Apart they went, from this world Of sin,
But at last together they entered in.
Now when the river was rolling on.
A Pfesbyterian Church went down
OF women there seemed an innumcrablo throng,
Blu, the men could count as they passed along;
And concerning the road they could never agree,
The old or the new way which ii could be,
Nor ever moment paused to think
That both would lead to the rivers brink
aud A. und Of murmuring, long and loud,
Came ever up from the moving crowd,
% fou're in The old wsy. and I'm in the new,
1ha. IL the false and this is the true
Or, " I'm In the old way, and you're in the new;
That is the false and this is the true"
But the brethren only seemed TO speak
Modest the sisters walked, and meek
And u ever one q them chanced 20 say
What troubles she met with the way,
How she longed TO pass 20 the other side,
Nor feared to cross 70 the other side,
A voice arose from the brethren thon--
- Let no one speak but the holy men
Have you not heard the words Of Paul
Oh let the women keep silence all 4"
| watched them in my curious dream
Till they stood by the borders Of the stream
Then just as thought the two ways met,
But all the brethren were talking yet,
And mould talk on till the heavng tide
Carried them over side by side,
Side by side for the way was one,
The tosomo journey Of life done,
And all who in Christ the Saviour died
Came out alike on the other side.
No forms, or crosses, or books had they,
No gowns Of silk, or suits Of grey,
No creed TO guide them, or Manuscripts,
For all bad put on Christs righteousness