The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-01-31
WALKING WITH 1.-THE WORLD.

WALKING WITH THE WORLD.
The Church and the World walked far apart.
On the changing shore of time;
The World singing gidiy song.
And the Church hymn sublime.
Come, give me your hand, cried the merry WORE
And walk with me his way:
But the good Church hid her snowy hands
Aud solemny answered. Nay,
I will not give you my hands 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 a little space
Said the world with kindly air;
The road walk Is a pleasant road,
And the shines always there.
Your path is thOrny aud rough aud rude,
And mine is broad and plain;
The sky above me lie always blue,
No want no toll, know;
The sky above you is always dark
Your lot is a lot of
My path you see, is broad fair one,
And my gate is high and wide;
There's rom enough for you and me
To travel side by side
Half shyIy the Church approached the World.
And gave him her hand OF snow.
The old World grasped Ii and walked along,
Saying in accents low
Your dress is too pie to phase my taste,
will give you pearls to wear,
Rich velve and silks for your graceful form,
And diamonds to deck your hair
The Church looked down at her plain white robes
And then at the dazzling world.
And blushed she his handsome lip
With smile contemptuous curled.
IL will changs my dress for costlier one,
Said the Church with smile of grace;
Then her pure white garment drifted away,
And the World gave in their place
Beautiful saiins aud shining silks,
And roses and gems and pearls;
And ever her forehead her bright hair fell,
Crisped in a thousand curls.
Your house is too plain said the proud old World
'Ill build You one like mine,
Carpets of Brussels and curtains of lace,
And furniture ever fine
so he builds her a costly and beautiful house,
Splendid it was to behold;
Her and her beautiful daughters dwelt there,
Cleaning in purple and gold.
And fairs and shows in her halls were held,
And the world aud his children were there;
And laughter and music and feass heard
In the place that was meant for prayer.
She had cushioned pews for the rich and great,
To sit in their pomp and pride;
While the poor folks, clad in their shabby snts;
Sat meekly down outside.
The angel of Mercy flew over the Church,
And whispered, Il know toy SIM
Then the Church looked back with sigh, and longed
To gather her children in.
But some were off to the midnight ball,
And some were off to the play;
And some were drinking at gay saloons,
so quickly she went her way.
Then the sly World CALAMITY said to her,
Your children mean no b rm,
Merely indulging in innocent sports,
So she ieant on his profered arm:
And smi and chatted and gathered flowers
As she walked along with the World.
Your preachers are all too old and plain
Said the gay World with sneer;
Il will send you some Of another stamp,
Brilliant and gay and fast,
Who will tell them that people may live they list
And go to Heaven at last.
The Father is merciful great and good,
Tender and trne and kiad;
DO you think that He would take child to Heaven,
And leave the rest behnd?'
So he filled her house with gay divines,
Gifted and great and learned,
And the plain old men who preached the Cross,
We're ont Of pulpits turned.
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 it trouble you,
30 take your money and buy rich robes,
And horses and carriages fine,
And pearls and jewels and dainty food.
Aud the rarest and costliest wine
My children, they dote on all such things,
And IL you their love would win,
You must do they do, and walk in the ways
That they are walking in
Then the Church held tightly the strings other purse
And gracefully lowered her head,
And simpered, I've given too much away;
I'll do, sir, rs you have said.
So the poor turned from her door i'm 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 Church
Walked closely hand and heart;
Aud only the master who knowetha all,
Could tell the two apart.
Then the Church sat down at her ease and said
Il am rich, and in goods increased
have need OF nothing and naught to do
But to laugh aud dance and FEAST
Aud the sly World heard her and laughed in his sleeve,
And mockingly said aside.
The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church,
And her shame is her boast and PRIDE
The angel drew to the mercy seat,
And whispered in signs her name,
And the saints their anthems of rapture hushed,
And covered their heads with shame.
And voice came down through TIE hush of Heaven,
From Him who sat on the throne:-
Il know thy works AM how thou hast said,
am rich and hast not known
That thou art naked and poor and blind,
And wretched before nj y face,
Therefore from My presence cast thee out,
And blot thy name from its place