WHAT THEY SAW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11508, 2 October 1915, Page 8

WHAT THEY SAW.

♦ (By ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.) Sad man, sad man, tell me, prayWhat did you see to-day? I saw the unloved and unhappy old waiting for slow, delinquent death to come; Pale little children toiling for the rich, in rooms where sunlight is ashamed to go; ,•,,•■ The awful almshouses, where the, living dead rot slowly in their hideous, open graves. And there were shameful things: Soldiers and' forts, and industries of death.' and devil-ships, and loudwinged devil-birds. All bout on slaughter and destruction. These and yet more shameful things mine eyes beheld: Old men upon lascivious conquest bent, and young men living with no thought of God. And half-clothed women puffing at a weed, aping the vices of the underworld. Engrossed in shallow pleasures, and indent on being barren wives. These things I saw(How God must loathe His earth!)

Glad man. glad man, tell me, pray, 'What did you see to-day?

1 saw an. aged couple in whose eyes Shone that deep light of minted love and faith "Which makes the earth one room or paradise And leaves no filing in death. 1 saw vast regiments of children jrwtr, Rank after rank, out of the schoolroom door. By Progress mobilised. They seemed to say : "Let ignorance make way. "We are the heralds of a better day. ' J saw the college and the c?iureh that stood For all things sane and good. 1 .saw God's helpers in the shop and slum Blazing a path for health ami hope to come. And True Religion, from the grave of creeds, Springing to meet man's needs. I saw great Science reverently stand And listen for a found from Borderland, No longer arrogant with unbelief, Holding itself aloof. But drawing near and searching high and low For that complete and .Til-con-vincing proof "Which shall permit its voice to comfort, grief, Saying, "'We know." T saw fair women in their radiance rise And xrample old traditions in. tlio dust, Looking in their clear eyes. 1 .seemed to hear those words as from f lie skies, •• lie who would father our sweet children must Be worthy of the trust.'' Against the rosy dawn. I saw unfurled 'The banner of the race we usher in— The Mipcr-men and women of the •world. Who make no code of sex to cover sin. Before thev till the toil of parenthood, Thov look to ii that seed and soil are good'. And T saw, too, that old, old sight. and best - Pure mothers with dear babies at the breast. These things f saw. (How Cod must lev His earth !) " Cosmopolitan."