The Nominal Church
(In name only) 

  The Church and the world walk far apart on the changing shores of time.

  The world will sing a giddy song, the Church a hymn sublime.

  ‘Come, give me your hand’, said the merry world, ‘and walk with me this way.’

  But the good Church hid her snowy white hand and solemnly answered ‘Nay’.

  I will not give you my hand at all and I will not walk with you.  Your way is a way that leads to death, to my Lord I must be true.

  Nay! Walk with me a little space, said the world with a kindly err.  The road I walk is a pleasant road and the sun shines always there.  Your path is thorny, rough and rude, but mine is broad and plain.  My way is paved with flowers and dews, but 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.  The way you walk is a narrow way, but mine is amply wide.  Your house is too plain said the proud old world, I’ll build you one like mine; carpets of brussels, curtain of lace 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 blue and gold.

  Rich fairs and shows in the halls, were held.  The world and it’s children were there.  What laughter, music and feasting were heard, in the place that was meant for prayer.  There were cushioned pews for the rich and gay, to sit in their pomp and pride, while the poor, who were clad in shabby array, much seldom came inside. 

  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, radios, motor cars fine.  Buy pearls and jewels and dainty food.  Buy the rarest in costliest wine.  My children dote on all these things and if you their love should win; you must do as they do and walk in the ways they are walking in.

  Then the Church held fast the strings of her purse and modestly lowered her head and simpered, ‘No doubt, you are right sir, henceforth, I will do as you have said.’

  Then the children of the world and the children of the Church walked closely hand and heart.  Only the Master, who knoweth all, could tell the two apart.   

  Then the Church sat down at her ease and she said, ‘I’m rich, my goods are increased.  I have need of nothing, where aught to do, but to laugh and dance and feast.’

  The sly world heard, laughed in his sleeve and mockingly said aside; ‘The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church and her shame is her boast and pride.’

  Then the angel drew near the mercy seat and whispered in sighs her name.  Then all the loud anthems of rapture were hushed and heads were covered in shame.

  A voice was heard, alas by the Church, from Him that sat on the throne:  ‘I know thy works and how thou hast said, I am rich; but thou hast not known,  thou are naked, poor, blind and wretched before my face.  Therefore from my presence I cast thee out and blot thy name from its place.