"Why they go to Church."

Evening Star, Issue 7473, 17 March 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

"Why they go to Church."

The following lines were written by theRev, J. 0. Boucher, M.A., ol the Carnarvon Training College, and gained the prize of ten guineas offered by the Chester Opeft Diocesan Church Association t Some go to church just for a walk. Some go to stare and laugh and talk. Some go there to meet a friend. Soma their idle time to spend ; Some for general observation,, Some for private speculation, Some to seek or find a lowr. Some a courtship to, discover • Some go there to. we their eyes And newest fashions criticise; , Some to show their own smart dress, Swbo their neighbor’s to assess; home to scan a robe or bonnet. Some to price tb» trimming on it, Som,e to learn the latest news, That frieads at home they may amuse; Some to gossip false and true, Safe hid within the sheltering pew. Seme go there to please the squire. Some his daughters to admire; Some the parson go to fawn, S.rae to lounge, and some to yawn; Some to claim the parish dfiles Some for bread and sotoe for coals $ Some because ’tis thought genteel. Some to vaunt their pious zeal; Some to show how sweet they aing. Some Inv loud their voices liag; Sonm the preacher go to hear, His style and voice to praise or jeer £ Some forgiveness to implore. Some their sins to varnish o’er; ~' borne to sit and doze and nod. But few to kneel and worship God.