Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-06-07
Roetrp.
The Church Walking with the World.

The Church aud the wo ID walked far apart
On the changing shores OF time.
The World was singing giddy song,
And the Church hymn sublime.
"Corne, give Inc your hani." said the merry
World.
"And wax with me ,hi> way"
But the pod Church hid her snowy hands
Aud solemnly answered Nay,
] will not give you my hand at ALL
And viii not walk with y"u;
Your way IL tn way that leads to death:
Your word. are NIL untrue.r
NAY, walk Sith me but little spsce,"
SAID the World. wi h a kindly air;
"Ih ro d walk Is pleasant road.
And tn. -un shines slways there;
Your path il thorn, aud rough and rude.
But mine - br,sd aud plan:
nv way Is paved wi b flowers ami dews.
And YOURS with tear aud pain;
The Ky to me is slways blue.
No want. no toll know:
The skv above you |. al~sys dark.
Your lot j. \ lot Of woe.
TIL path tire al l. bright and gay
And its trark u smooth and vide;
There's room enough for you aud me
To travel side BY side
Half -hyly the Church approached the World
And gave him her hand hf nav;
And the old World grasped II aud walked
along.
Saying 10 accents low.
"lour dress l. too simple TO please my taste
will give you peari- To wear.
Rich ,elvet- snd ,ik. for your graceful form,
| Aud diamonds TO deck your hair"
The church looked down al her plain white
robes,
Andtben st the dszzling World,
| AMI b u-hed >. she saw his handsome lip
With a smile coni.mptuous cur-d.
~ will change nv dress for = co-tlier one"
I Sad .hr Church with a anil. Of
| Then her pur-. white garments drift"j away
And The World gave. In their plscc.
Beautiful -stins and shining silks.
Roses and gems aud costly pearls
1 While over her E,l che al her blight hair fell
Crispr,l in THOUSAND eurls.
Your house Is too plAin." said the proud old
World.
"I1i build you one like mine
! Garrett. OF Brussels Sad curtains of lace,
! And furniture ever 20 due y
So he built her costly snd BEAUTIFUL house.
Most splendid II wss &, behold,
\ Her son. and her b. iuiifil daughters dwelt
| there
| Cleaning in rurpic md gold;
Rih fair aud show. in the halls were held.
] And the worii aud h. children were there,
Laughter aud music and frs-ts ~erc heard
| In the plsre tiIat W IN" ant for prayer.
There were cushioned pew for the rich and
| To sit Ia their pomp and pride;
But the poor, Sho Sere al 10 shabby array.
sat mcrkiy down ou iie.
| you give to- mu-h TO the poor" said the
World,
''far IN .rr thao YOU ought 10 do:
I they arr IN n-eI of shelter and food.
Whv ned II trouble yoaf
Go take y.ur money aud boy iich rob~s,
Bay hrrs-> ard rarrase. hnr,
! Bu. u.arls aud Jew~l- and dainty food;
ne Il .ni lt..t ~ M,
", chiliren they Jots on all these thing.
| Aud II you their love would win,
| You must 10 they h. and ~Alk in the ~ays
That they arr walking IN.
Then The Church held fat the string, OF her
| And mod sly owrr,d her Lead.
| And -lmi'er-d. Without doubt on are right.
cir,
| Hrnc-fprth viii 10 A. you've .aid
4 so the cor were turned from her door in scorn
| Ard she heard not the orphans cry.
| BuI -h. drew her b. ,uiifui rui--- aside,
| A. the widow. went weeping by.
| Then the s,n. Of the World and sons Of the
| Church
| Walked o.cly hand and heart.
/ And nnly the Master. who Anv~eth all,
| Could tell the two apart.
| Then the CHURCH sat down at her e,.e and said
Il sm rich aud nv gods inereAs-;
! hsS- need Of nothing, or sught To do,
| Bur To laugh. and dance. aud feast
Th. -ly World heard, and he laughed In his
sleeve.
| Ard mocking said. aside
'.'rh- Church i fallen. the beautiful Church.
| And her ,h ,nc Is her boast and her pride
The angel drew nesr TO the inercy-.eat
And whispered In .ighs her name:
| Then Ii. l"ud snth-m- Of rapture were hushed,
And bead. wer- covered with shame.
| Aud = voice wa- heard at last BY the Church
+ ON Him who sat on he Thron~.
IL Anow thy work. and how lhou hast said,
| 4 am rich; and hast Mt known
1 That thou art naked. po1r sud blind.
| And wr.tchci b-lor Ny face;
| Therefore from My pre-eno. | EAST thee out,
| And blot Thy name from it- placc.''