The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-05-15
THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD,
The Church aud the World walk far apart

The Church aud the World walk far apart
On the changing shore Of time;
The World was singing glddy song,
And the Church hymn sublime.
s'Come give me your hand, "crled the merry world,
"And walk with me this way
But the good Church hid her snowy hand,
And solcmuly answered NAY.
[ will not rive you my hand NJ all
And will not walk with YOU;
Your way is The way to endless death,
And 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;
Your path is thorny and rough ana rude,
While mine is iiOwery and smooth;
Your lot is sud with reproach aud toll,
But in circles of JOY move.
Ny path, you can see, is Il broad, fair one,
And my gate Is high and wide;
There is room enough for you ana Tor me
To travel side by side
Half slyly the Church approached the World,
And gave him her hand OF snow;
Aud the old World grasped il and walked along,
Saying in accents low:
Your dress is too simple to please my taste
have gold and pearls to wear;
Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form,
And diamonds TO deck your hair
The Church looked down Mt her plain white robes,
And then at the dazzling world,
And hlushed rs she saw his handsome lip
With q smile COntemptuous curled.
az will change my dress for a coslier one
Said the Church, with smile OF grace;
Then her pure white garments driftcd away,
And the world gave, IN their place,
Beautiful satins and shining silks,
And roses and gems and pearls
And over her forehead her bright hair FELL
Crspcd in thousand curls
''Your house is too plain,' said the proud old
World.
I'll hui you one like mine;
With kitchen for fea-tngs and parlor for play,
And furniture ever so line
So he built her costly and beautiful house
Splendid it WAS to behold;
Her sons and her daughters met frequently there
Shining in purple and gold,
And fair and fcstiyal-froIicks untold,
We're held in the place Of prayer;
And muidcns bswtching as syrens OF Old,
With worldly gruces rare;
Inyentng the very cunninEeSt tricks,
Untrammrllcd by Gospel or laws,
10 gull and amusc and win from the world
Some help for the righteous cause.
The Angel of Mercy flew over the Church,
And whispered, II know thy siu,'
Then the Church looked back with a SIGH, and
lOngcd
To gather the children in;
But some were of at the midnight ball.
And some were of at the play:
And some were drinking in gay saloons,
As she quietly went her way.
Then the sly World gaanlly said to her,
"Your children mean ma harm,
Merely INDUCING In Innocent sporls;'
so She leaned on his proicrcd arm,
And smilrd aud chattcd and gathered tOwrrs,
As she walked along with the World;
while millions and millions OF precious souls
10 the horrible gull were hurled
.Yoar preachers are all too old and plain"
Said the gay Wor with sucer;
'Thcy frlghcu my children with dreadful tales.
Which do not hike them to hear
They Talk Of Judgment fire, aud pain,
And the horror, Of cudlrs, night;
Ihcy talk Of place that should not be
Mentioned in ears polite:
| will send Nuu some ui Il better stamp,
Brilliant, and gay and fast;
Who viii show how people may live rs they list,
Ana 60 10 heaven at last
The Father i, mctriful, great and good
Loving ami tender and kind
DO ycu think He would take one child TO heaven
And leave the rest behind"
So she called her pleasing and gay di,inee,
Gifted, aud great aud learned,
And the plain old men that preached the Cross
Were out Of her pulp,ts turned
Then Mammon came in and supported the church,
RcutiuG a prominent pew;
And preaching ana singing and hornl display
Prociaimcd period new.
ssyop ,,iy foo much ,o fine non, 81 ..;,,l,c Wor,J
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Though the poor need shelter, and food, and
clothes,
Why need II trouble you?
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''Go take your III aud buy rich robes,
,n ,'' ,,o,ris .,h u.ard t,,in,, r,od
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my children thcy dotc on All such things,
You must do a.. tl,.y do and YAH. In fine wuy,
TL.,t ill.,. ara. a.. If. Ina, f., -
Then 'tu NurtI held TIGHTLY tlC STRING, Of her