 | Under Green Leaves |  |
225
HATE IN THE PULPIT.
A thunderer in the pulpit?—let us hear!
He cries with voice of stentor, loud and clear,
That God desires no music in His praise
But human voices upon Sabbath-days;
That art in churches is a thing abhorr'd,
And architecture odious to the Lord;
That none, who pray with other forms than he,
Shall share the blessings of Eternity.
He cries with voice of stentor, loud and clear,
That God desires no music in His praise
But human voices upon Sabbath-days;
That art in churches is a thing abhorr'd,
And architecture odious to the Lord;
That none, who pray with other forms than he,
Shall share the blessings of Eternity.
Down, bigot, down! too proud and blind to know,
That God, who fashion'd all things here below.
Made music and the arts; that organ-tones
Are His creation; that the starry zones
And pomp of the cathedral, both alike
Were form'd by Him. Men's hands can delve or strike,
And build or overthrow; but all their power
Is God's alone. Poor creature of an hour,
Be humble and confess how small art thou!
Wouldst carry all God's wisdom on thy brow?
And in the limits of thy sect confine,
The infinite mercy of His Love divine?
That God, who fashion'd all things here below.
Made music and the arts; that organ-tones
Are His creation; that the starry zones
And pomp of the cathedral, both alike
Were form'd by Him. Men's hands can delve or strike,
226
Is God's alone. Poor creature of an hour,
Be humble and confess how small art thou!
Wouldst carry all God's wisdom on thy brow?
And in the limits of thy sect confine,
The infinite mercy of His Love divine?
Hate in the pulpit!—Down, intruder, down!
The place is holy, and thine angry frown
Sheds visible darkness on the listening throng.
Down, bigot, down! thy heart is in the wrong!
Thou art not pure;—within this place should dwell
Humility, and Love ineffable,
Self-abnegation and the tranquil mind;
And heavenly Charity, enduring, kind;
Patience and Hope, and words of gentleness!
Down to thy closet—not to curse, but bless;
And learn the law—the sum of all the ten—
That love of God includes the love of men.
The place is holy, and thine angry frown
Sheds visible darkness on the listening throng.
Down, bigot, down! thy heart is in the wrong!
Thou art not pure;—within this place should dwell
Humility, and Love ineffable,
Self-abnegation and the tranquil mind;
And heavenly Charity, enduring, kind;
Patience and Hope, and words of gentleness!
Down to thy closet—not to curse, but bless;
And learn the law—the sum of all the ten—
That love of God includes the love of men.
| Under Green Leaves | |