LADIES Express.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 963, 23 July 1881, Page 2 (Supplement)

LADIES Express.

The Church and the World walked far apart, On the changing shores of Time ; The World was singing a giddy song, And the Church a hymn sublime, ‘ Come, give me your hand,” cried the merry World, “ And walk with me this way But the good Church hid her snowy hand, And solemnly answered “ Nay, 1 will not give you my hand at all, And I will not walk with you ; Your way is the way of endless death, Your words are all untrue.”

“ Nay, walk with me but a little space,” Said the World, with a kindly air ; “ The road I walk is a pleasant road, And the sun shines always there ; Your path is thorny and 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 toil I know ; The sky above you is always dark, Your lot is a lot of woe ; My path you see is a broad, fair path, And my gate is high and wide ; There is room enough for you and for me To travel side by side.”

Half shyly the Church approached t ■ e World, And gave him her hand of snow ; The old World grasped it and walked along, Saying in accents low, “ Your dress is too simple to suit my taste ; I will give you pearls to wear, Rich velvet and silk for your graceful form, And diamonds to deck your hair.” The C :urch lojked down on her plain white robes, And then at the dazzling world, An blushed as she saw his handsome lip Vv ith a smile contemptuous curled “ I will change my dress for a costlier one,” Said the Church with a smile of grace ; Then her pure white garments drifted away, And the World gave in their place Beautiful satins and shining silks, And roses and gems and pearls ; And over her forehead her bright hair fell Crisped in a thousand curls. “ Your house is too plain,” said the proud old World, “ I’ll build you one like mine ; Carpets of Brussels and curtains of lace, And furniture ever so fine.” So he built her a costly and beautiful house ; Splendid it was to behold ; Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there, Gleaming in purple and gold ; And fairs and shows in the halls were held, And the World and his children were there, And laughter and music and feasts were heard In the place that was meant for prayer. She had cushioned pews for the rich and the great To sit in their pomp and pride, Whilejthe poor folks, clad in their shabby suits, Sat meekly down outside. The Angel of Mercy flew over the Church, And whispered, “ I know thy sin.” The Church looked back with a sigh, and longed To gather her children in. But some were off in the midnight ball, And some were off at the play, And some were drinking in gay saloons ; So she quietly went away. The sly World gallantly said to her, “ Your children mean no harm— Merely indulging in innocent sports And she leaned on his proffered arm, And smiled, and chatted, and gathered flowers As she walked along with the World, While millions and millions of deathless souls To the horrible pit were hurled. “ Your preachers are too old and plain,” Said the gay old World with a sneer ; “ They frighten my children with dreadful tales. Which I like not for them to hear ; They talk of brimstone and fire and pain, And the horrors of endless night ; They talk of a place that should not be Mentioned in ears polite. 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 Father is merciful, great and good, Tender and true and kind ; Do you think be would take one child to heaven And leave the rest behind ?” So lie filled her bouse with gay divines, Gifted and great and learned ; Avid the plain old men that preached the Cross Were out of the pulpit turned. “ You give too much to 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 hoi’ses and carriages fine, And pearls and jewels and dainty food, An 1 the rarest and costliest wine ; My children they dote on all such things, And if you their love would win. A ou m ist do as they do, and walk in the ways That they are walking in.” The Church held tightly the strings of her purse, And gracefully lowered her head, And simp red, “ I’ve given too much away ; I’ll do, sir, as you have said.”

So the poor were turned from the door in scorn And she heard not the orphan’s cry ; And she drew her beautiful robes aside, As the widows went weeping by. The sons of the World and the sons of the Church Walked closely hand and heart, And only the Master that knoweth all Could tell the two apart. Then the Church sat down at her ease, and said, “ I am rich and in goods increased ; I have need of nothing ; have naught to do, But to laugh and dance and feast.” The sly World heard her and laughed in his sleeve, And mockingly said, aside, “ The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church, And her shame is her boast and pride !” The Angel drew near to the mercy-seat, And whispered in sighs her name, And the saints their anthems of rapture hushed, And covered their heads with shame ; And a voice came down through the hush of heaven From Him who sat on the throne, “ I know thy works, and how thou hast said, I am rich, and hast not known That thou art naked, and poor, and blind, • And wretched, before my face ; Therefore from my presence I cast thee out And blot thy name from its place !” /