THE OLD PARISHIONER AND THE MODERN PARSON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 257, 1 November 1870, Page 4

THE OLD PARISHIONER AND THE MODERN PARSON.

" Why, John, I haven't seen 3 r our face In chnrch for weeks, I know." " No, sir, it's such a queerish place — When it's restored I'll go." " When it's restored ? Why, John you've seen, The chancel that's just built, With painted windows, carved oak screen, And reredos all of gilt — " With decoration it abounds ; Tehre's a new altar too ; The organ cost three hundred pounds ! It's all restored quite new." " Yes — like old Ned the other day — What had a stroke, I mean — He's quite restored to health they say, But, lor, his mind's gone clean. " Dark windows may be beautiful For them as likes the look ; But I, with old eyes getting dull, Want light to read my book. " When I was young (you'd think it odd) The roses climed in there ; They always make me think of God, And all His tender care. " But now if I look up I greet Them figures done in paints ; I'd go a lor g way not to meet Saints, if such folks be saints. " Ah, John, they didn't teach high ait When you were put to school : But how do you like the singing part — Come, that's a better rule ? " " Why, sir, they're thinking far too much How tunes go now-a-days ; Give me the old hundredth psalm and such, That's more what I call pruise. " We used to sing it, such a crowd, Maybe the notes wern't true, Maybe we sang a bit too load Because our hearts sang too : " But now my grandson, pert young lad, He says he's got much higher, Says he, ' You're not to sing granddad — You'll interrupt the choir.' " You think a deal about that thing, The choir," I says to him ; " But I can't see why you can't sing Without your bedgown, Jim. "Few chancel's mighty fine, but ne'er Can we make out who knows What's gone with ihe Commandments there, Sir, what have you done with those ? " You're all for pretty tiles and bricks, For carving, gilt, and scroll ; What good can them tall candlesticks Do to a poor dark soul ? " Sir, there's a many things restored No use to such as me ; We want to hear about the Lord, You only talk of She! " We used to pray the prajers, and then Parson he pra^ ed from his heart ; Now, you all seem to think Amen The" most important part.