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Show Merely indulging in innocent sports ;" So she leaned on his proffered arm, And smiled and chatted, and gathered flowers, As she walked along with the W^orld ; While millions and millions of deathless souls. To the horrible gulf y* ere hurled. " Your preachers are all too old and plain," Said the gay World with a sneer; " They frighten my children with dreadful tales, Which I like not for them to hear; They talk of brimstone and flre and pain. And the horrors of endlesss night: They talk of a place which should not be Mentioned to ears polito. I 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 Fa,ther is merciful, great and good, Tender and true and kind; Do you think he would take one child to heaven, And leave the rest behind '' " So he filled her house with gay divines. Gifted and great and learned; And the plain old men that preached the cross. Were out of her pulpits turned. " You give too much for the poor," said the World, •' Far more than you ought to do; If the poor need shelter and food and clothes, Why need it trouble you ? Go take your money and buy rich robes, And horses and carriages fine. And pearls and jewels and dainty food, And the rarest and costiliest wine; My children, they dote on all such things, # And if you their love would win. You must do as they do; and walk in the ways That they are walking i n ." Then the Church held tightly the strings of her purse And gracefully lowered her head. And simpered, " I've given too much away, I'll do, sir, as you have said." So the poor were turned from her door in scorn, And she heard not the orphan's cry; And she drew her beautiful robes aside, |
