Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-04-11
THE CHURCH WALKING WITH THE
WORLD.


WORLD.
The Church and the World walked far apart,
On the changing shores of time
The World was singing giddy. song,.
And the Church a hymn sublime.
Come give me your hand cried the merry
World
And walk with NE this way
But the good Church hid her snowy hand,
And soiemn1y answered Nay,
L will not give you my hand at all,
And will not walk with you
Your way is the way OF endless death;
Your words are all untrue.
Nav. walk with me little space.
Said the World, with Al kindly air;
" The road walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there:
Your path is thorny and rough and rude,
And mine is broad and plain;
NV road is paved with flowers and gems,
And yours with tears and pain.
TIE shv ABOVE ME is always blue
No want 10 toll know;
The sky above you is always dark
Your lot is a lot OF woe.
NV path YOU see, Is a bf0ad, fair path
And my gate is high and wide
There is room enough for you and for NE
To travel side by side.
Half shyly the Church approached tie World,
And gave him her hand Of snow
The old World graSped II and walked along,
Saving, in accents low.
- Your dress is too simple 10 please my taste;
viii give you pearls to wear,
Rich velvets ard silks for Your graceful forn,
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 smile contemptuous curled.
. | will change my dress for q costlier one,
Said the Church, with q smile and grace:
Then her pure, white garments drifted away
And the World gave in her place
RpautifIJl SatiuS and shining silks.
And roses and gems and pearls;
And over her forehead her bright hair iel,
Crisped in Il thousand curls.
Your house is plain said the proud old
World,
I'm build you one like mine:
Carpets of Brussels, and curtains OF lace,
And furniture ever so fine.
So he built costly and beautiful: house
Splendid it was TO behold:
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwell
there,
cleaning in purple. and gold;
And fairs ana 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 pc"s iorthe rich and great
! To sit in their p0mp and pride,
While the poor folks, clad i'll their shabby s'nts,
| sat neekiy down outside
| The angel OF mercy few over the Church
| And whispered, know thy sin; =
| The Church looked back with a sigh, and longed
!
! But some We're Oft in the midnight ball,
And some were off at the play,
! And some were drinking in gay saloons
! So she quietly went her way.
! The sly World CALAMITY said to her.
" Your children mean no harm
! Merely induging in innocent sports.
So she leaned on his profiered arm.
! And smiled, and chatted, and gathered flowers,
As she walked along with the World;
| While millions and millions OF deathless souls
TO the horrible pit were hurled.
! Your preachers are too old and plain"
Said the gay old World with sneer:
/ They frighten my children with dreadful tales,
| Which like not for them TO hear
| They talk OF birthstone and fire and pain,
! And the horrors Of endless night
| They talk Of Il place that should not Lee
Mentioned 10 ears polite.
! Will send you some of the better stamp,
Brilliant and gay and fast,
| Who Will tell them that people may live as they
list,
And go to heaven, at last
! The Father is merciflll, great and good,
| Tender and true and kind
| DO you think he would take one child 10 heaven,
! And leave the rest behnd?'
| so he filled her house with gay divines,
| Gifted and great and learned
| And the plain old men that preached the Cross
Were out ofthe pulpit turned.
" You give 100 much TO the poor" said the
| World,
Far more than you ought to do
If the poor need shelter and food ans clothes,
Why need II trouble you?
/ Co. take your money and buy rich robes,
And horses and carriages fine,
| And pearls and jewels and dainty food,
! And Jhe rarest and cOstliest wine.
! My children they dOte on al such things,
/ And if their love You would win,
! You must do rs they do, and walk IN the ways
That they are walking in
The Church held tightly the strings OF the purse
| And gracefully lowered her mead.
And simpered, " Ve given too much away;
III do, sir, as you have said
So the poor were turned from her door in scorn
And She heard not the orphans CRY;
And She drew her beautiful robes aside,
As the widows went weeping by.
The SONS of the World and the sons ofthe Church
| Walked closely hand and heart.
And only the Master. who Enowcth all.
Could tell the two apart
| Then the Church SAT down at her case and said
- am rich, and III goods increased:
! have need of nothing. and naught to do
But TO laugh and dance and feast.
| The sly World heard her, and laughed III his
! sleeve.
And mockingly said aside
| " The Church is fallen-the beautiful Church
And her shame is her boast and pride =
The angel drew near TO the Mercy Seat,
! And whispered in signs her name:
Andthe saints their anthem OF rapture hushed,
And covered their heads with shame
! AndaEoice came down, through hush OfheaTen
From Him VINO sat on the throne
" know thy work and how thou hast said,
am rich. and hast not known,
That thou art naked and poor and blind
And wretched before my face:
/ Thus from my presence | cast thee out,
! And blot thy name from its place "
= Matilda e. Edwards.