Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-09-15
[owa County Democrat
NO StCT IN HEAVEN.
FROM AN ENGLISH POEM.

Talking of sects till late one eve,
OF the various doctrines IL e saints believe
That night stood in a troubled dream,
BY the side of darkly flowing stream,
And 'Churchman down to the river came
When heard a strange voice call his name,
"Good father, stop; when yen cross this tide
You must leave your robes on the other side"
But the aged father did not Mid,
And his long gown foated out behind,
AS down TO the stream his way he took,
His pale hands clasping gilt-e1ged book
Pm bound for heaven, and when I'm there
] shall want my book Of Common Prayer
And though put on a starry crown,
! should fee! qIite lost without my gown
Then he fixed his eyes the shining track,
But his gown was heavy and held him back,
And the poor old father tried in vain,
single step in the food to gain.
| raw him again on the other side,
But his silk gown hoated 90 the tide;
And no one asked in that Bills full spot,
Whether lie belonged to ''hc Church" or not.
Then wn to the river Quaker strayed
His dress of the sober hue was made;
ny coat and hat must be all Of gray,
! cannot 90 any other way
Then he buttoncd his coat up to his chm,
And staidly solemny waded in,
And his broad trimmed hat he pulled down tight
over his forehead, 20 cold and white
But the strong wind carried away his hat,
moment be silently sighed over that,
And then a. he gazed on the farther shore,
His coat slipped If and was no more.
A. he entered heaven, his suit Of gray
Went quietly sailing away away,
Aad none Of the angels questioned him
About the width Of his beavers brim.
Next came Dr.. Watts with a bundl0 Of palms
Tied nicely up IN his aged arms,
And hymns as rnany, very nice thing,
That the people in heaven, all round Nigh
But thought that he hcaycd an anxious sigh,
AS he that the river ran broad and hlSh,
And looked rather surprised as one by one
The palms and hymns in the wave went down.
And after him, with hi. MSS,
Came Wesley, the pattern Of Godness,
But he cried dear me what shall do,
The water has soaked them thro and thro."
And there the river, far and wide,
Away they went on the swollen tide,
And the saint astOnshcd passed thrO' alone,
without his manuscripts up to the throne.
Then graycly walking, two saints by name,
Down Ia the stream together came,
But rs they stopped at the rivers brink,
| saw one snint from the other shrink.
"SprinkIed or plunged, may ask you friend
How you attained to lies great end''
"IEtm with few drops on h'y brow,
3" But I've been dipped as youll see me now
And really think it will hardly do,
As N cIusc communion, to cross with you;
You'rc bound ! know, To the realms Of bliss,
But you must 90 that way and il 20 this"
Then trnghtwny plupging with all his might
Away to the lett ms friend to the right
Apart they went from this world of SIN,
Bat at last they entered together in.
And now, when the river rolling on,
A Presbyterian church went lOwni
IF women there seemed an innuncrablc thr0ng
But tbs .,cn could count rs they went along
And concerning the road, they could never agree
The Oid or the mar which it could he,
Nor even moment paused to think
That each would lead To the rivers rink
Aud .! sound If murmuring long and loud
Game ovrc from the moving crowd
lou'rc III ,ho old way, aud IN in the new,
That is the false aud this is the true,
Or. I'm in tho old and You're in the new,
7hnf ~ the false aud Mis is the true"
But the dr,th,'" "nly seemed To speak
Modest the sist RS walked and meek
And il ever one ot thcm CHANGED t. say
What troubles she met with On the way
low she ionecd to pass Ia the other side.
Nor feared to cross over the swelling tide,
a voice, arose from the brethren then.
let n" one speak bat TIA" holy men
l,,,,- I.,,t IL p.,,,l
Oh. let the women keep silent all =
! watched them long in my curious dream,
Till they stood hy the borders of the stream,
Then just rs thought, the two ways met,
But ali III" brethren were talking yet,
And would talk on. TIL the hcaving tidc
Carried them side by side;
Side bv side, for the way one,
The tolson" journey "i life wss dom.
And all who IN Christ the Saviour died
Tame out alike on the other SIDE
No forms, or crosses or hooks hud they
No gowns of silk, suits Of gray
No crrcds to guide them, no Mss,
For all had put ON thrist's Righteousness.