Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-04-01
THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD.
BY MRS. NJ. c. EDWARDS.

The Church and the World walked far apart
On the changing shore OF tme
The World was singing gddy song.
And the Church hymn sublime.
"Come. give me your hand" cried the merry World,
"And walk with 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 all untrue"
NAY, walk with me but a little space
Said the World with kindly air.
1.-THE road walk is pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there.
Ny 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;
will 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 plain white robe,
And then at the dazzling World,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With a smile contemptuous curled.
81 will change my dress for a costier one,'
Said the Church with smile of grace.
Then her pure white garments drfted 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
| Crsped in thousand curls.
"YOur house is too plain" said the proud old World,
"I'l build you one like mine
| Carpets of Brussels, and curtains of lace
| And furniture ever hne."
| So he built her a costly and beautiful house,
Splendid it was TO behold;
| Her and her beautiful daughters dwet there
Cleaning in purple and gold.
The angel Of mercy few 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 CALAMITY said to her,
"Your children mean no harm,
Merely induging in innocent sports"
So she leaned on his proffered arm,
And smiled and chatted, and gathered flowers.
As she walked along with the World,
While millions and millions of deathless souls
To the horrible gulf were hurled.
"You give too much TO the poor" said the World
"Far more than you ought to do
II the poor need shelter and food and clothes.
Why need IL trouble your
Go, take your money and buy rich robes,
And horses and carriages fine,
And pearls and jewels and dainty food,
And the rarest and costest 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 walking in"
Then the Church held tightly the strings of her purs
And gracefully lowering her head
And simpered, i've given too much away;
I'll do, sir, as you have said"
So the poor 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 of the World and the of the Churc
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.
81 am rich, and in goods increased.
have need OF nothing, and naught to do
But to laugh and dance and feast"
And the sly World heard her and laughed in his seev
And mockngly said asaid,
"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 sghs her name
And the saints their anthems of rapture hused
And covered their heads with shame.
And voice came down through the hush of HEAVIER
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 and blind.
And wretched before my face
Therefore, from my presence cast thee out,
And blot thy name from its place."