Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1883-05-17
WALKING WITH THE WORLD

The Church and the World walked far apart
On the changing shore Of time
The World WAS singing giddy song,
And the Church hymn sublime.
'Come give me your hand" cried the merry
World,
And walk with me this way;"
But the good Church hid her snowy hands,
And Solemnly answered. Nay,
l will not give you my hand at all,
Aua will net walk with you;
Your way is the way to endless death;
Your words are all untrue"
NAY, walk with me but little space"
Said the World with kindly air;
''The road walk is . pleasant read,
And the sun shines always there;
Your path is tho,ny. and rough AMI rude.
And mine is broad and plain;
Ny road 10 paved with flowers and dsws,
And your 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 . lot of woe;
NV path, you see, is a broad, fair one,
Aud my gate is high and wide;
There is room enough for You and FOR me
To travel side by side"
Halt shyly the Church approached the " orsd
h.r baud pf
The old World grasped it, and walked along,
Saying in accents low,
"Your dress is to simply to please my taste;
Twill give you my pesrls to wear,
Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form
Aud diamonds to deck your hair.
The Church looked down at her plain white
And then At the dazzling World,
Aud flushed as she saw his handsome lip
With smile contemptuous curlcd,
| 81 will change my dress fol costiier one
Said the Church with = smile OF grace;
Then her pure white garments drii'ed away,
Aud the World gave in their place
Beautiful satins and shining silks.
| And roses aud gems aud pearls;
And over her forehead her bright hair fell,
Crisped in thousand cur!s.
"Your house is too plain" .sa the proud
old World;
'I'll build you enc like mine;
Carpets Of Brussel. and curtains OF lace,
| And furniture eyor 50 hne.
SO he built her costly and beautiful house
| Splendid it WAS to behold;
Her beautiful daughters and sous dweit Their
Cleaning in purple and gold
And fairs and shows III the halls were held
Aud the World snd his children were ther
And laughter aud music and feast were heAr'
, La the place that was meant for prayer
She had cushioned pews for the rich and grea
10 sit in their pomp and pride;
While the poor folks clad In their shAbb.
suits,
Sat ncekly down outside.
Th. Angel Of Mercy hew over the Chureh
And whispered, Il know thy sin
Then the Church looked back with sigh, AL
lon.ed
To gather her children in.
But some we're oi to the midnight bali,
And some were of At play,
Aud some were drinking in gay saloons;
So she quietly went her way.
Then the sly World gsllantly said to her,
4 Your children mean 40 harm,
! Merely induging i'll innocent sports
So she leaned on his pgoiered arm,
And smiled, and chatted, aud gathered dcv
ert,
As she walked along with the World
While millions and mllious of priceless soa
70 the horrible gull were hurled.
"Your preachers are all t. old and plain
Said the gsy;World with a sneer.
"Ihey frighten my children with dreadt
- txles.
Which | like not for them to hear
e. They talk of rhinestone and hre and pain,
And the horrors of endless night;
lhey talk 81 piac" Nnich shou'e NV
mentioned to ears polite.
l will send you some of the better stamp
Brilliant, gay and fast,
Who will tell them that people may live
they list,
And so to Heaven at last,
The Father is mcrcifal, great and good,
Tender ard true and kind;
II Do you think he would tax child
Heaven
And leave the rest behind!'
So he filled her house with gay devines,
Gifted and greAt and leaned;
And the plain old men that preached
Were out Of their nulpi;s turrsl,
you give too much 30 tho poor, faid