The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-04
Fashionable Religion.

NAY. walk with me but a little space"
said the world. with a kindly air;
Tile road | walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there;
Your path is tborny and rough and rude,
And mine is broad and plain,
Nv road is paved with flowers and dews,
And yours with tears and pain,
The sky above me Is always blue;
No want. no toll. | know.
The sky above YOU is always dark
Your lot is a lot OF woe;
Nv path. YOU see. is a broad, fair one
And my gate is high and vide;
There is room enough for you and for
To travel side by side"
Half shyly the Church approached the
World,
And gave him her hand Of snow,
The old World graaPod il, and walked
along,
Saving in accents low.
Your dress is too simple to please my
taste;
| will give you pearls to wear,
Rich velyets 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 as she saw his handsome
lip
With a smile contemptuous curled.
Il will change my dress for a costlier
one.n
said the Church, with a smile ofgrace /;
Then her pure white garments dritted
away.
And the World gave in her place
Beautiful satlns and shining silks,
And roses and gems and pearls
And over her forehead her bright hair
fell,
Crisped in a thousand curls.
Your house is too plain, said the proud
Old World;
''I'll build YOU one like mine;
Carpets of Brussels and curtains oflace;
And furniture ever 50 fine"
So he built her a costly and beautiful
house;
Splendid it was to behold
Her beautiful daughters and sons dwelt
there,
Cleaning in purple and gold;
And fairs and shows in the halls were
held,
And the World and his children were
there.
And laughter and music 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 aud pride;
While the poor folks, clad in their shabby
suits.
sat meekly down outside.
The angel of mercy flew over the Church,
And whispered L know thy sim"
Then the Church looked back with a
sigh, and longed
To gather her children in,
But some were of to 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 World CALAMITY said to
Your children mean no harm.
Merely INDUCING 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 priceless
souls
To the horrible quit were hurled.
Your preachers are all too old and
plain"
Said the gay world with a sneer,
They frighten my children with dread
tul tales.
Which | like not for them to hear;
They talkof birthstone and fi.e and pain.
And the horrors of endless night;
The talk Of a place which should not be
Mentioned III ears polite.
[ will send You some of the better
stamp.
Brilliant and gay and fast.
Who will tell them thai people may liv,
as they list,
And 20 10 Heaven at last,
The Father is merciiul, great and good
Tender true and kind;
Do YOU think he would take one child tC
Heaven
And leave the other behind:"
So he filed her house with gay divines
Gifted and great and learned;
And the plain old men that preached
the cross
Were out of her pulpit turned.
Then the Church sat down at her case
and said.
Il am rich. and in goods increased
l have need of nothing, and naught t.
do
But laugh and dance and feast :"
And the sly World heard her aud laugh
ed in his sleeve,
And moc&ingly said aside,
1.-The Church is fallen, the beautiful
Church
Andher shame is her boast and pride
The angel drew near to the mercy seat
And whispered in signs her name,
And the saints their anthems of raptur
hushed,
And covered their heads with shame
And avoice came down through the hus'
of Heaven,
From Him who sat or the throne,
Il KIN Nv thy works, and how thou has
said.
/ am rich: and hast not known
That thou art naked. and poor and blint
And wretched before my face;
Therefore. from my presence | cast the
nut.
And blot thy name from its place"
Mrs.. -Udtiiio e.. EdWdrdS.
> Almost insane and Cured.
'.NIost Of the eminent doctors in ii
| East, as we'll as several of the medira
faculty ii New York City writes Rev
P. +. Shirley, of Chicago, failed I
Ii. n-r nhtnr's enilnnsu which La