Year: 1862

Talking of sects till late enc eve.
OF the various doctrines the saints beliSve
That night stood, in q troubled dream
by the side OF dHrkiy flowing stream.
And "Churchman" down TO the river came.
When heard strange voice call his nan,aH
GOOD father, stop; when you cross this tide
You must leave your robes on the other side"
But the aged father did not mind
And his long gown foated out behind
As down the stream his way se took
His pale hands clasPing a giltedged book
I'm bound for Heaven. and when m there,
shall want my book of Common PRAYER:
And though put on q starry crown
should feel quite lost without my gown"
Then he liked his eye on the shining track,
But his gown was heavy. and held him bach
And the poor old father tried in vain
single step in the food 70 gain
saw him again on the other side
But his silk gown Heated on the tide:
And no one asked in that hlssful spot
whether he belonged 20 the C1rurch" or not
Then down to the river Quaker strayed,
His dress Of a sober hue was made;
My coat and pants must all be of gray
cannot go any other way"
Then he buttoned his coat straight IN IN hi. ob;r
And staidly, solemnly, waded in
And his broad-brimmed hat he pulled down tirh;
over his forehead so cold and white.
But strong wind carried away his hat;
moment he silently sighed over that





Ills coat slipped off and was seen no more
As he entered Heaven his suit of gray
Went quietly salng-away-away.
And none of the angels questioned him
About the width Of his beavers brlm.
Next came DR.. Watts with bundle of Psalms
Tied up nicely in his aged arms
And hymns as many-a very wise thing
That the people in Heaven -all round" ght sin e.
But thought that he heaved an anxious sigh,
As he saw that the river ran broad and high,
And looked rather surprised as. one by cne
The Psalms and Hymns IN the waves went down
And after him. with his MSS,
Came Wesley. the pattern Of gcdiinesr;
But he cried, Dear me. what shall do!
The water has soaked them through and through"
And there on the river. far and wide,
Away they went down the swollen tide,
And the saint astonished passed through alone,
without his manuscripts, up TO the throne.
Then grsvely walking. two saints by name,
Down 10 the stream together came
But as they stopped at the rivers brink,
saw one saint from the other shrink.
"sprinked or plunged may ask you friend,
How you attained to lifes great endl'
Thus, with few drops my brow"
But have been dipped. as you'll see me now.
And really think il will hardly do,
As I'm close communion to cross with you;
You're bound know to the realms of bliss,
But you must go that way and I'll go this"
Then straightway plunging with all his might
Away to the left-hIs friend at the right;
Apart they went from this world of sin;
But at last together they entered in.
And now. when the uver was rolling on
Presbyterian church came down;
OF women there seemed an innumerable thronp
But the men could count as they passed along,
And concerning the road they could never agree
The Old or the new way. which it could be,
Nor ever moment paused to think
That both would lead 20 the rivers brink.
And sound of murriuring long and loud
Came ever up from the moving crowd
y gu re IN the old way. and I'm in the new
That is the false. and this is the true"-
or, " I'm in the old way. and you're in the new,
That Is the false, and this is the true"
But the brethren only. seemed 20 speak,
Modest the sisters walked and meek
And II ever one of them chanced to say
What troubles she met with on the waY,
How she longed TO pass 10 the other side,
Nor feared TO cross DER the swelling tide,
a voice arose from the brethren then:
Let no one speak but the holy men ;
For nave ye not heard the words of Paul,
on, let the women keep silence alp"
watched them long in my curious dream
Ili they stood by the borders of the stream,
Then. Just as thought the two ways met
But all the brethren were talking yet
And would talk on, ill the heaVing tide
Carried them over. side by side;
Side BY side for the way was one,
The toilsone journey Of life was done,
And all who in Christ the Saviour died,
came out alike on the other side.
No forms. or crosses, or books had they,
No gowns of silk, suits of gray,
No creeds to guide them. or MSS,
For all had put on Christ's righteousness"