The Church And The World

[carla]

I absolutely love this poem and had to share it ...
I couldn't fit it all in one post so the rest is below

The Church Walking with the World

by Matilda C. Edwards

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,” said the merry World,
“And walk with me this way!”
But the faithful Church hid her gentle hands
And solemnly answered “Nay!

I will not give you my hand at all,
And I will not walk with you;
Your way is the way that leads to 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,
But mine is broad and plain;
My way is paved with flowers and dews,
And yours with tears and pain.

The sky to me is always blue,
No want, no toil I know;
The sky above you is always dark,
Your lot is a lot of woe.
There’s room enough for you and me
To travel side by side.”

Half shyly the Church approached the World
And gave him her hand of snow;
And the old World grasped it and walked along,
Saying, in accents low:

“Your dress is too simple to please my taste;
I will give you pearls to wear,
Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form,
And diamonds to deck your hair.”

The Church looked down at her plain white robes,
And then at the dazzling World,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With 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,
Roses and gems and costly pearls;
While 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;
With walls of marble and towers of gold,
And furniture ever so fine.”

So he built her a costly and beautiful house;
Most splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there
Gleaming in purple and gold.

Rich fairs and shows in the halls were held,
And the World and his children were there.
Laughter and music and feasts were heard
In the place that was meant for prayer.

There-were cushioned seats for the rich and the gay,
To sit in their pomp and pride;
But the poor who were clad in shabby array,
Sat meekly down outside.

“You give too much to the poor,” said the World.
“Far more than you ought to do;
If they are in need of shelter and food,
Why need it trouble you?

Go, take your money and buy rich robes,
Buy horses and carriages fine;
Buy pearls and jewels and dainty food,
Buy the rarest and costliest wine.

My children, they dote on all these things,
And if you their love would win
You must do as they do, and walk in the ways
That they are walking in.”

[carla]

So the poor were turned from her door in scorn,
And she heard not the orphan’s cry;
But she drew her beautiful robes aside,
As the widows went weeping by.

Then the sons of the World and the Sons of the Church
Walked closely hand and heart,
And only the Master, who knoweth all,
Could tell the two apart.

Then the Church sat down at her ease, and said,
“I am rich and my goods increase;
I have need of nothing, or aught to do,
But to laugh, and dance, and feast.”

The sly World heard, and he laughed in his sleeve,
And mockingly said, aside:
“The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church;
And her shame is her boast and her pride.”

The angel drew near to the mercy seat,
And whispered in sighs her name;
Then the loud anthems of rapture were hushed,
And heads were covered with shame.

And a voice was heard at last by the Church
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, poor and blind,
And wretched before my face;’
Therefore from my presence cast I thee out,
And blot thy name from its place.”


The Church Walking with the World

[ChatCat]

Hi Carla,

What a wonderful and true poem.

Thank you for posting it.

It reminded me of the sermon that our pastor preached about the love of money. It was a great sermon and we need to hear things like this especially here in the U.S.
I appreciate our pastor and church. They are so in love with God and don't love money.

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family and to have my health back. Though money is an important way of buying needed things, we cannot allow it to have a hold of our heart and expect that we will be healthly spiritually also.

This poem reminded me of this scripture, Matt. 6:24,:
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Thank you for sharing this, cc

[Gator]

Oh, carla,

Thanks for sharing.

What a beautiful poem!! I wish I could print it off. This needs to be read in every church as the churches are bringing the world in and they are falling. How sad that people, like Eve, are so easily fooled by glitz and glamour.

Our life is but a vapor, but that which awaits those who follow Christ will have an eternal heavenly reward.

I'm afraid that what is going to happen is quite like the words of an old song I remember:

"they cried to the rocks and the mountains, they prayed but their prayers were to late.: Then, people will hear epart from me, I never knew you."

Thanks. I truly enjoyed the poem.

Hugs
Gator

[jonsi]

Hmmmm I liked those poems!

We all need to reach out and help each other.

In the white light,
~jonsi

[janquito]

Gator, you can copy and print the poem. Click on the title of the poem that is at the very end of the poem underlined in blue. It will take you to the poem. Just highlight it all (copy) and right click somewhere that you've highlighted and then click print preview or print. There you go!
I am going to send the poem to people in my congregation.
Thanks for posting this!

[Gator]

Thanks for the directions, Jonquito.

I will keep them for when I get a printer, someday.

The poem touched my heart to tears for I see this happening everyday;
so sad.

The bibical cities of Soddam and Gomarrah did the same and God destroyed it and the people.

Billy Graham's wife said, "If God doesn't destroy America, he needs to apologize to Soddam and Gommarrah".

It troubles me that some people forget that God created Adam and Eve ; not Adam and Steve.

Thank God for forgiveness and grace.


Thanks,
gator

[Jo]

Originally Posted by Gator

The bibical cities of Soddam and Gomarrah did the same and God destroyed it and the people.

Billy Graham's wife said, "If God doesn't destroy America, he needs to apologize to Soddam and Gommarrah".

It troubles me that some people forget that God created Adam and Eve ; not Adam and Steve.

Thank God for forgiveness and grace.

Thanks,
gator

Hi Gator, here's an interesting take on the 'Adam and Steve' issue:
OneKirk: working for an inclusive, affirming and progressive church

It is relevant to morgs actually, because the endocrine disruption can become a 'gender bender'!

Interesting stuff

Jo xx

[sojii]

There are so many things God didn't intend that are happening now. It seems to me that God doesn't need to destroy us; we're doing it to ourselves. How long can life continue under the present circumstances? And what perverse form will it take if it does?

[Gator]

Hi Jo,

Thanks for the site.

I read it and my thoughts are that it was a good discussion with no real answers.

WE are not to judge others; The Bible tells us "To judge not,lest we be judged"

Certainly, these are new testament times and we are living under grace.

Each of us must take resonsibility for our decisions and choices.

Gator