Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-03-23
Published BY reauss. Of several Subscribers
TINE oHuRoH WALKING WITH
the WORLD.


nv AIRS, Al, o, EDwARDs'
The Church aud the World walked far
apart,
ON the changing shore Of time,
The World was singing q giddy song,
And the Church hymn sublime,
"come give me your hand" cried the mef'
~ World,
"And walk with me this wayi"
hut tho good Church hid her snowy
hand,
And sOlemnly answered "Nay-
I will not give you my hand At all
And l win not walk with you
Your way IL the way to endless death
Your words are all untrue"
"Nay, walk with me little space"
Said tho World, with kindly air.
''The road / walk II q pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there's
Your path Is thomy, and rough aud rude
And niue IL broad and plainl
My road IL paved with flowers ana dews'
And yours with tears aud palni
The sky above me ID always bluei
No want, no toll l know
The sky above you Is always dark
Your lot II u lot OF woeI
My path you see, Is broad. fur one'
Aud my gate ID high aud wldei
There Il room enough for you and me
TO travel side by side"
Half sbyly the Church approached the
World
Aud gave HIN her hand OF snowi
The old World graspod 1t, aud walked
along,
Saying In accents low,
"Your dress Is too simple TO please my
taste;
Twill give you pearls TO wear,
Rich yelyets and silks for your graceful
form,
Aud diamonds 20 deck your hair"
The Church looked down at her plain white
robe,
Aud then at the dazzling World,
Aud blushed rs she saw his handsome lip,
With q smile contemptuously curled,
~ will change my dress for costlicr one
Said the Church with u smile OF grace
Then her pure white garments drlfted
away,
And the world gave In their place
Beautiful satlns and shining silks,
And roses and gems, and pearls;
And oyer her forehead her bright hair fell,
Crlsped In a thousand curls.
"Your house Is too plain" said the proud
old World.
"I'll build you one like mine;
Carpets from Brussels, and curtains OF
lace,
And furniture ever so flne."
So no built her costly and beautiful
house,
Splendid 1t was to beho id;
Her sons and beautiful daughters
dwelt there,
Cleaning In purple and gold;
And fairs and shows in the halls were
held,
And the World and her children were
tncrc,
And laughter, and mnsic, and feasts were
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
suits
Sat meekly down outside.
The Angel Of Mercy few over the Church,
And whispered know "tby SIM"
Then the Church looked back with a sigh
and longed
TO gather her children in;
But some were of at the midnight ball,
And some were of at the play,
And some were drinking in gay saloons,
So she quietly went her way.
Then the sly old World CALAMITY said to
her,
"YOur children mean no harm,
Merely INDUCING in innocent sports"
So she leaned on his profered arm,
And smiled, and chatted, and gathered
flowers,
AS she walked along with the World;
While millions and millions of deathless
To the horrible gulf were hurled.
"Your preachers are all too old and
plain"
Said the gay World with sneer;
''They frighten my children with dreadful
tales
Which I like not for them to hear;
They talk of birthstone, and fire and pain,
And the horrors of endless night;
They talk of place that should not be
Mentioned to ears polite.
I will send you some of the better stamp,
Brilliant, and gay, land fast,
Who will tell them that people may live as
they list,
And 60 to heaven at last.
The Father is merciful, great and good,
Tender, and true, and kind;
Do you think he would take one child to
heaven
And leave the rest behind?"
So she filled her house with gay divines,
Gifted, and great, and learned;