SELECTED POETRY. VANITY FAIR.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 188, 22 January 1887, Page 5

SELECTED POETRY. VANITY FAIR.

" This way to heaven— take your places, quiet Ours is the taTeot route— we know tbe trick. Just pay your money— 'tiß a kitd of toll— We'li undertake deliverance of your sonl, Rend* red nil safe and sound— you need not fear The contract will be valid over ihore." Huch is the ciy on all sides, far and nigh. From ciruni-like lunga goes forth the shank *• Who ll bus ? ' Each underbidding what the otherßaeH, Praibuigms wares, comieining theirs to hell* Has it then come to this ? Is this the line They must adopt who handle thinaß divine* Like dealers in some patent balio or pill— 'iheir panacea for all human ill ? Of old, 'twas God o?« Mammon, now 'tis dear Tho twain rum aide by side, as in a pair. Whilst the shrewd driver gathers in the reins, And, -with one eye turned heavenward, counts h(8 gams. S:raoßG thoughts come o'er us as we mark the Confusion seems the order— day and nighfc Are mingled— whilst to mask tne ghastly lie lis whitened 'ncatd auhtere hypocrisy lear off the. mask- let's question face to face lhese smooth-tongued peadlera of the means of grace, Who claim the right to deal in wares of heaven. Bui strike their bargains only for what's Riveu-~. No -fee, no grace, their maxim for the road Which leadeth, so they feign, from earth to GoeL lis somewhat changed, methinks, from days ofc Not such the thoughts once ruled tho Gospel Then-poor in pelf, but rioh in truth and love. The teacher hopea to find his goods above • Wow— like the morning dew ail this ia gone* Jerusalem is merged in Babylon. The Temple an exchange wherein, our mart. We barter Heaven for gold ; and play a part. No matter whal.«-so it but putf our wafts And bring in money, who the devil cares Whence comes this brand new uospel? Who hath given This to drive a gainful trade witfc To shut the narrow road against the poor. And like a shop front deok eacn church's door* Now all is lawful, for some holy end " Allays each scruple-Heavenward all thing* tend. D So they give money. Wanted church, or houae la hold the parson. That's enough exouse 'lo justify at oace the tricks of trade I)on,e under cover of i he profit made. Iho Church wants money-Buch tho constant Uttered the echo of mendacity. Is it so I Nay, rather say tho Church wanta men— Such is her real need-she asks in vain. Jiram-gifted men able to trace the right, Men of clear vision lookiug towards the light, Ot earnest heart, truth loving, good and brave Uavards in fearlessness, such must she have * Men who will f uce the problems of these days. And guide humanity ivi u higher ways ; i>af to the lower voice of fame or self. Disdaining all the sordid dreams of pelf 100 prouct to palter witn Borne petty lie Iv the poor qaest for popularity. For such, the heans of men now vainly yeara lo such ihoir ea^er eyes would gladly turn. As to a leader on the embattled plain, irubted and known and never found in vain. Eos,