St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-05-24
The Church and the World.

On the changing shore of time;
The World was singing giddy song
And the Church hymn sublime.
Come, give me your hand, !" cried the merry World
"And walk it'll me this way"
But the good Church hid her snowy hand,
And solemnly answered, NAY,
will not give you my hand at all,
And will not walk with you;
Your way is the way to endless death;
Your words are all untrue"
Nay, walk with me but little space"
Said the World, with kindly air.
THE road walk is pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there.
My path you see. is broad, fair one
And my gate is high and wide;
There is room enough for you and for me
To travel side by side
half shyly the Church approached the World
And gave him her hand of snow.
The old World grasped it. and walked along,
Saying in accents low:
''Your dress is too simple to please my taste;
I'll give you pearls to wear,
Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form,
And diamonds to deck your hair"
The Church looked down at her plaiu white robe,
And then at the dazzling World,
With smile contemptuous curled.
'I will change my dress for a costJer one"
Said the Church with a smile of grace.
Then her pure white garments drifted away
And the World gave in their place
Beautiful satin and shining silks,
And roses, and gems, and pearls;
And over her forehead her bright hair fell
| Crimped in a thousand curls
''Your house is too plain" said the proud oil
World;
IN build you one like mine
Carpets of Brusells and curtains of lace,
And furniture ever so fine"
| So he built her costly and beautiful house,
Splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there
Cleaning in purple and gold.
The Angel of Mercy flew over the Church
| To gather the children in;
But some were off at the midnight ball,
| And some were off at the play,
And some were drinking in gay saloons,
So she quietly went her way.
Then the sly World gallantly said to her,
"Your children mean no harm,
Merely indulging in innocent sports;"
So she leaned on his proffered aim,
And smiled and chatted, and gathered flowers,
As she walked along with the World,
While millions and millions of deathless souls
To the horrible gu'f were hurled.
| you give too much to the poor" said the World;
Far more than you ought to do.
If the poor need shelter and food and clothes
| Why need it trouble youl
Go, take YOU money and buy rich robes,
And horses aud carriages fine,
And pearls and jewels and dainty food
| And the rarest and cOstliest wine
My children they dote on all such things;
And if you their love would WIN,
You must do as they do and walk in the ways
That they are walk 'ng in"
Then the Chr-ch held tightly the strings of he
purse,
And gracefully lowered her head
And simpered, I've given too much away;
I'll do, sir, as you have said"
So the poor were turned from her door in scorn;
And she heard not the orphans cry;
And she drew her beautiful robes aside
AS the widows went weeping by.
And the sons of the World and the of th
| Church
Walked closely hand and heart,
And only the Master who knoweth all,
Could tell the two apart.
Then the Church sat down at her ease, and said,
II am rich, and in goods increased.
I have need of nothing, and naught to do
But to laugh and dance and feast"
And the sly World heard her and laughed in HI
| sleeve
And mockingly said aside,
1.-THE Church is fallen, the beautiful Church.
And her shame is her boast and pride"
The Angel drew near to the mercy-seat,
And whispered in sighs her name;
And tie saints their anthems of rapture hushed
And covered their heads with shame.
And a voice came down through the hush of Hea
en-,
From him who sat on the throne
| 81 know thy works, and how thou hast said
am rich; and hast not known
That thou art naked, poor sud blind,
And wretched before my face;
Therefore, from my presence cast thee out,
And blot thy name from its place."
Mrs. M. O. EdaoardS, in baltimore Christie
Advocate.