Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1905-01-06
The Church and the World walked far

And the Church, hymn sublime.
"Come, give me you hend," cried th,
merry World,
".And walk with me this way"
But the good Church hid her snowy
hand,
And solmnly answered "Nay,
| will not give you my hand ut all,
And will not walk with you;
Your way is the way of endless death
Your words are all untrue"
NAY, walk with me but little space"
Said the world, with a kindly air;
"The road | walk is a pleasant place,
And the sun shines always there;
Your path is thony, rough and rude,
And mine is broad and plain;
My road is paved with flowers and gems
And yours with tears and pain.
The sky above me is always blue;
No want, no toll l know;
The sky above you is always dark
Your lot is u lot of woe.
My path you see, is broad, fair path,
And my gade is high and wide
There is room enough for you and me
To travel side by side"
Half shyly the Church approached the
World
And gave him her hanb o. SNOW,
The old world grasped in and walked
along,
Saying IN accents low,
your dress is too simple to please my
taste;
l will give you pearls to wear,
Rich velvet and silks for your graceful
And diamonds to deck your hair"
The Church looked down at her plain
white robes,
And then at the dazzeling World,
And blushed as she saw his handsome
lip,
With Il smile contemptuous curled.
al Will change my my dress for cost
lier one"
Said the Church with smile of grace,
Then her pure whito garment drifted
away,
And the World in their place,
Beautiful satins and shining silks,
And roses and gems and pearls;
And over her forehead her bright hail
fell,
Crisped in a thousand curls.
"Your house is too plain,' said the
proud old World,
"lll build YOU one like mine;
Carpets of Brussels, and curtains of lace,
And furniture ever so hne."
So he built her costly and beautiful
T Splendid it was to behold.
And fairs and shows in the halls wer,
held,
And the World and his children were
there;
And laughter and music and feasts wer
heard,
In the place that was ment for prayer
She had cushioned pews for the ricl
and the great,
To sit in their promp and pride,
While the poor folks, clad in their shah
by suits,
Sat meekIy down outside.
The angel of mercy flew over the Churcl
And whispered, 81 know thy SIM"
The Church looked back with sigh
and longed
TO gather her children in.
But some were off at the midnight bal
And some were off at the play,
And some were drinking IN gay saloons
SO sho quietly went her way.
The sly World gallantIy said to her,
"Your children mean no harm
Merely engaging in innocent sport,
So she leaned on his profferea arm,
And smiled, and Chartered, and gathe
ed flowers,
AS she walked along with the Worl
While millions and millions of deaf
less souls
To the horrible pit were hurled.
; "Your preachers are all too old al
plain"
Said the gay old world, with snet
"They brighten my children with drea
full tales,
Which | like not for them to hear;
They talk of birthstone and fire and pal
And the horrors of endless night;
They talk of place that should not
. Mentioned to ears polite.
9 | will send you some of the better STAN
a Brilliant and gay and fast,
, Who will tell them that people M
live as they list,