Select Poetry.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 355, 19 March 1861, Page 4

Select Poetry.

RELIGION-WHA.T IS IT? Is it to go to church to-day, To look devout and seem to pray, And ere the morrow's sun goes down Be dealing slander through the town ? Does eveiy sanctimonious face Denote the certain reign of grace ? Does not a phiz that scolds at sin, Oft veil hypocrisy within ? Is it to make our daily walk, And of our own good deeds to talk, Yet often practice secret crime Arid thus mis-speud our .precious time ? Is it for sect or creed to fight, To call our zeal the rule of right, When what we wish is at the best, To sec our church excel the rest ? Is it to wear the Christian's dress, And love to all mankind profess, And treat with scorn the humble poor, And bar against them every door? O'i, no! Religion means not this; Its fruit more sweet and fairer is— Its precept is, to others do As you would have them do to you.

It grieves to hear all ill report, And scorns with human woes to sport— Of others' deeds it speaks no ill, But tells of good, or keeps it still.

And does religion this impart ? Then may its influence fill my heart; Oh ! haste that blissful, joyful day, When all the earth may own its sway. Bishop Heber.