Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/443

 To the Preacher

(From "In This Our World")

(See pages 200, 209)

Preach about yesterday, Preacher! The time so far away: When the hand of Deity smote and slew, And the heathen plagued the stiff-necked Jew; Or when the Man of Sorrow came, And blessed the people who cursed his name— Preach about yesterday, Preacher, Not about today!

Preach about tomorrow, Preacher! Beyond this world's decay: Of the sheepfold Paradise we priced When we pinned our faith to Jesus Christ; Of those hot depths that shall receive The goats who would not so believe— Preach about tomorrow, Preacher, Not about today!

Preach about the old sins, Preacher! And the old virtues, too: You must not steal nor take man's life, You must not covet your neighbor's wife, And woman must cling at every cost To her one virtue, or she is lost— Preach about the old sins, Preacher! Not about the new!