Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-08-23
0! What will People Say2
In olden times they worshiped Gods

In olden times they worshiped Gods
OF iron wood, and clay;
But now the God that's worshiped most
Is ''what will people say?'
From those rude forms the mind was raised
To the orbs that deck the sky;
Then higher still, to a mammoth man,
On a golden throne so high.
They spilled the blood and burned the flesh
of heifer, lamb and dove,
To appease his wrath and win his smile,
And gain his special love.
Then, throwing off these cruel rites,
As the mind still higher scared,
A fearful martyr for the truth
Was next as God adored.
Baptized like him beneath the wave,
To feel their sins forgiven,
They ate his flesh and drank his blood
That they might enter heaven.
Then finding that likewise in vain,
They put their form away;
But yet, alas! rose not above
The-"wlat will people say?'
The parsOn, coming creeds and prayers,
Finds many a doubtful clause
At war with reason, science, love,
And natures perfect laws.
lie longs to leave the beaten track
He finds so dun and bare,
And speak the thoughts that swell within,
And all their beauties share.
With those who look to him for light,
Yet leads them still astray-
For should he doubt the Fathers" faith,-
80! what would people say?'
The layman listens to his words,
And feels their lack Of power;
Sees in the distance CLEANS Of light
Beyond the clouds that lower;
And longs TO hasten where it glows,
And tear himself away
From empty teachings void Of truth
But what viii people say''
The doctor turns from dusty tombs,
To study earth and air,
To trace the ills of mortal life
To the causes that impair
The beauty. strength and harmony
OF the human form divine,
And strikes upon some new idea-
y hidden, golden mine
OF thought That he would glad reveal,
And fling his drugs away
Commence anew on natures tract,
But-"what would people say?"
The man, benevolent and kind,
Beholds the suffering poor,
Would gladly lend them need and aid
From his more bounteous store;
Certainly his expenses, cen,
And making his display,
To Benefit humanity,
But-''what would people s.y?"
The lady secs the widows tears,
Oppressed with want and woe,
And thinks how many things she buys
That She could well foreEo;
Her last years hat is just as good,
She'd wear it still and pay
Tie money to the widow, but
80, what would people say?"
She wears her long inflated skirts
With WEAKNESS and care,
And pays the larger bills they make,
With "a sigh, perhaps a tear,
And meekly from the sidewalk sweeps
The dampened dust away;
\ shorter dress she knows were best
But-"what would people say?"
| \ wronged and broken hearted one,
1 OF noble soul and mind,
/ Incurs the ban Of social life,
And ue'er a friend can find;
While seeking courage, counsel, aid,
To yet regain her way,
| They'd lend hand with all the heart,
But-"whut would people say?"
/ o. potent powerl with iron rod
O'errulmg all the land.
How humbly bows the knee to thee
How feeble is the hand
That would uplift its puny strength,
Thy mandates 10 resist!
The highest haughtiest ones Of earth
Thy garments hens have kissed
And since thou art 50 powerful,
o, monarch Of to-day
We too, viii ask in all we do.
80! what will people say?" ID. ID. q.
West Charleston, lug Is, 1870.