THE INTERVIEW by Sarah Livezey

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 12, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 15.

THE INTERVIEW.

By Sarah Livezey

[The idea in the author's mind is that a man of God who lived in former, better generations of Christianity was brought back to life to observe the customs among "Christians" and compare their lives with those who lived in his day. He expresses his feelings in the following verses.]

"CHRISTIANS?"—"Yes, they're Christians Of the nineteenth century, Filled with lofty, large ideals Of a Christian's dignity. They are full to overflowing With the love that makes a show, That we often find in churches Out on dress-parade, you know."

"Christians?"—"Yes, they're Christians; And their hearts are all on fire With the zeal the world admires In the race to mount still higher In the walks of wealth and fashion, 'Mid the gaudy charms of earth, Where the world will glorify them And applaud their seeming worth."

"Christians?"—"Yes, they're Christians From a scientific view; They can furnish learned essays Proving what they hold is true. They have gleaned their world-wide knowledge From the manuscripts of old, From the sages in the Orient, And ancient books untold."

"Christians?"—"Yes, they're Christians Of the kind that fret and stew When a humble Christian brother Steps into their rented pew, Who by his abiding presence Would profane the hallowed frieze, Fashioned with such skilful fingers For a wealthy Christian's ease."

"Christians?"—"Yes, they're Christians, With a modern suavity; Mingling church and club and play-room In the name "sweet charity." But they're not the godly Christians, With a humble, heavenly mien, Following Him who stilled the tempest, Christ, the martyred Nazarene."

This grieved the saintly martyr, who had Borne the Christian's cross, And had hoped for richer findings Instead of worldly dross. Hard it weighed him down with sadness; His very soul was swayed With deep pity for the people. "O Father," thus he prayed,

"Give us Christians, real Christians, In all the walks of life, In cultured homes, the cottage, And in the field of strife, Where for erring souls and fearful The evil angels search! Give, O faithful Father, give us True Christians in the church!" SARAH LIVEZEY. Chicago, Ill.