The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-02-03
daoetrp.
rRw WAYS IN RELIGION.

S~NS.
aEw WAYS IN RELIGION.
BY TX. LOMBARD.
To-day I've been to meeting, John.
To hear the parson preach,
But how they've changed since We were youl
In all they do and teach.
They say that we're old fashioned. John.
And don't care what we say;
But my old heart can see and feel
whene'er they changed Gods ways.
When we were young the world was gay.
And loved to make show;
But Christians walked the narrow way.
And could not with them go;
But oh, how things have changed since thei
The two ways are but one;
They all go in together now,
And say they've "lots offun.n
When we were young they used to meet
In our old kitchen room,
And sometimes in the school-housc near
Ifmany chanced to come;
And Elder B., that good old man
III neer forget his voice
How faithfully he dealt with sin.
And how the saints rejoiced.
But now they meet in palaces.
So gorgeous, rich and nice;
And every thing that draws the crowd.
They'll have at any price;
With cushioned seats and carpetings,
And every thing so gay.
The poor can hardly gather there
They've not the scrip to pay.
The minister, like some vain fop,
Stands up and reads his prayers;
And how it panied my heart to-day
To see him "put ON airs"
lie did not preach, he only read
An essay in Christ's voice:
No heart was touched, no tears were shed,
And not soul rejoiced.
He thought christs voice was musical,
Melodious, rich and clear,
And thus it sounded pleasantly
Upon the listening ear.
heard some say as they passed out.
Wasn't that a splendid thing r
And others said, THAT can't be beat
By even DR.. Tying"
o can it be that such vain fops
Are called to speak for God.
Who feed the church on worldly slops.
But never preach his Word?
thought if Christ himself were there,
We'd see some sights and tears;
"Ye pharisees and hyproerites,v
Would thunder in their ears.
thought of our old kitchen times,
When servants sent by God
Would warn US all so faithfully
To love and keep his Word
They did not wink at worldliness
AS ministers now do;
o give me back the olden ways
do not like the new.
A coarse machine now grinds their tunes.
goddess choir joins in,
But neither one can tell of joys
That come from pardoned sin.
They sung Gods praise when We were young.
Because their hearts were blest;
A well-paid choir now chants their songs,
And so the church has rest
My heart was panied to see the show
They tried to make in dress.
All finifed from top to toe,
And some looked like distress.
With frills and Aounces, trucks and erimps,
They seemed almost deformed;
And many had the Grecian bend
With camel's humps all formed
They noticed my plain calico,
And thought my bonnet odd
And frequently they smiled, know.
But had peace with God.
thought of times when we were young
When all the proud and gay
Would make the Christians dress their song,
And jest them every way.
Tis sad when all the world run mad
In foolish. vain display,
To see the church SO fast. and glad
To ape them every way.
The church has changed since former days
In all they say and do;
But give me back the old ways
do not like the new
They're strangely bent on pleasures new;
They meet most every week
That worldings love and seek;
But whether It's festival,
Or sociable. or fair,
Or Christmas tree, or other scrape.
The church will all be there
With lotteries and grab-bags,
And other tricks and games.
They make Gods house den of thieves
Without blush of shamel
Lord of the temple. come with zeal,
As thou didst come OF yore,
With scourge in hand to make them feel.
Before their day is DER.
They all attend such gatherings
But when they meet to pray.
There are but few to venture out,
And they've not much to say.
They lightly speak of former days,
When Christian men were true;
But give me back the olden ways
do not like the new.
What means this strange departure, John,
And when viii they amend
Gods day of wrath is nastening on.
When all earths shame will end.
That awful hour is drawing near;
Its signs are gathering fast;
The Judge of all will soon be here
To scrutinize the past
Our record then will be made known.
Our habits, thoughts and aims;
And some must hear from Gods own throne
You've brought my cause to shame
All then what grief and sore regret
VIII reach them in that day,
Because they've chosen worldliness,
And scoffed at Gods old way.
R.1.4 0I