THE FALLEN CHURCH by T. S. Parmelee

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 11, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 43.

THE FALLEN CHURCH.

By T. S. Parmelee

BY T. S. PARMELEE.

WHAT is the matter with the Church? She once was bright and fair; God's beauty rested on her brow; Her light shone everywhere. She sought the Lord; he always heard; He never turned away. He was her husband; she, his spouse— But what is she to-day?

Where is the Church? What do we see? What do our eyes behold? Coquetting with a nation now Like Mother Rome of old. God's arm was once her constant strength; She leaned on him alone; But now she looks to earth for help— Where has her virtue flown?

The gospel's Heaven's power to save, But this she does not see; And so she pleads with earthly powers To rescue you and me. Her heart is turned away from God. Her fall, her fall, how great! Now she is seeking (oh, for shame!) Vile union with the State.

God's beauty and his righteousness No longer are her boast; Base politicians must supply The power that she has lost. God's love and beauty she has scorned, And thus she lost her charms, So she invokes the civil power To force men to her arms.