Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-12-26
RAIN AND CHRISTMAS SHOPPING.
A CHURCH IN TIE AIR.

Once wandering through the land of dream
In search of something new,
church-'twas on Sabbath morn
My curious notice drew:
And thinking ! should see the mode
OF Christian worship there,
! entered Just in time to hear
The closing hymn and prayer.
The church was rich, without display;
From gorgeous colors free;
Through unstain d glass the light ofheayeI
Was shining cheerily.
And rich and poor sat side by side;
| saw no cushion d pews,
Whose doors the meanest of the flock
An entrance might refuse.
And when the hymn was given out,
With what aStonished face
| watched lady clad in silk
Bend forward from her place,
To share her book with one whose robes
So scanty were and mean,
No maiden torm'd of earthly mold
To greet her would be seen.
And yet I saw not that the deed
Lessened Il single grace,
But rather that sweeter smile
Beam d on the maiden's face.
And while | poader'd in my mind
How such a thing could be,
The whole assembly join'd to sing
Some time-worn melody.
To catch the organs tone
These simple Christians swell the praise
Of God by voice alone.
And here no fashionable airs,
The tedium to beguile,
Are set to solemn hymns of praise
And sung in opera style.
And yet the music of that choir
Right pleasant was to hear,
Though nothing in the strain found
10 please the critics
But childhood Joined its ringing tones
With those of falt ring age,
And rich and poor. and old and young,
In the blest work engage.
! lsten'd and my thoughts recurr'd
To many Il boosted choir
In city church who weekly meet
To praise the Lord for hire.
And well, thought l. the Church of God
This mockery might spare:
l ceased for every head was how'd
In reverential prayer.
And all in spirit seem'd to Join,
Nor could well forbear
For Christ, and not the minister,
Was most apparent there.
Its works of charity and love
Did the whole world embrace,
UntettePd by the lore Of sect
That modern Christian grace.
And little did l care to know
If Old the School or New
From whence the soul of such Il man
Its rich instruction drew.
The teacher none could well mistake;
One only can impart
Lessons of wisdom that can guide
sinful human heart.
Too soon that fervent prayer was DER,
The ben"diction ask'd,
And slowly down the spacious aisles
The congregation pass d.
Slowly, as one might turn his back
Upon the gates of heaven,
After taste of angels food
Unto his soul was given.
And now kind greetings were exchanged
With many n friendly word
And Christians met as Christians should
Who serve one common Lord.
One heart, one mind, one earnest will,
Seemed to inspire the whole,
As friend to friend with freedom told
The welfare of his soul.
Strange though it seem, no single word
These curious folks did say
OF politics, of rise in stocks,
Or gossip of the DAY,
Nor only did they shut up shop
And lock the Office door
They tlrned the Key on tcorldly thoughts
Till holy time was Ger
The sermon, while group discussed,
/ listen'd in amaze,
And marverd ut the words they useds
When speaking in its praise
They did not CALI great or " deep"
Ingenious, witty smart"
Or 5. thank their stars they had a man
After the peoples heart -
But whisper d low, with moisten'd eye,
" How precious was the word
How full of hope the promises
Their strengthened souls had heardw
And murmur d blessings on his head,
Who laboring by their side,
In all simplicity Of truth
Preachd Christ the crucifed.
heard, and could not silence keep;
Thrice happy soulsr' | cried.
Am in heaven?' With sudden start
My eyes open'd wide
Lookd round a moment in amaze
Saw my mistake with pain,
And never since have dared to take
4 nap in church again.