 | The Poetical Works of Walter C. Smith |  |
Once they complained his sermons were like books,
Essays original and quaint, which men
Might read in print, and wisely meditate;
And now they said his books did somewhat smack
Of homely preaching, such as long ago
Spoke to the times. He brought a sacred spirit
Unto the secular task, and called on men
To follow lofty aims and noble deeds.
Even when he laughed at fools, his mirth would be
Pitiful, and when he would edge his tool
Sharper to smite the wooden wit o' the time,
Yet was it in some cause of righteousness,
Or large humanity, that might have been
Theme of a prophet mocking at the devil.
And thus he breathed into our common life,
And round about the church, an atmosphere
That changed them both, and loosed their bonds, and wrought
As none might work within the Temple gate;
For oft the Church must learn from those without
Who paste the prophet-broadside on its wall,
Or sing their burden on the busy street.
Essays original and quaint, which men
Might read in print, and wisely meditate;
And now they said his books did somewhat smack
Of homely preaching, such as long ago
Spoke to the times. He brought a sacred spirit
Unto the secular task, and called on men
To follow lofty aims and noble deeds.
Even when he laughed at fools, his mirth would be
Pitiful, and when he would edge his tool
Sharper to smite the wooden wit o' the time,
Yet was it in some cause of righteousness,
Or large humanity, that might have been
Theme of a prophet mocking at the devil.
And thus he breathed into our common life,
And round about the church, an atmosphere
That changed them both, and loosed their bonds, and wrought
As none might work within the Temple gate;
For oft the Church must learn from those without
Who paste the prophet-broadside on its wall,
Or sing their burden on the busy street.
| The Poetical Works of Walter C. Smith | |