Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

LANSING TOWNSIHIP AND CITY, WITH HISTORY

577

As to that, you may be right, parson;
I'm sure I cannot say;
'Bout those things I am uncertain
And I walk the "worldly way."
Yet I hold if a man is honest,
Don't leave his friends in the lurch,
He's just as good as the hypocrite
Who's regular at the church.
He's just as good as the preacher
Who shows the way to bliss
To a loving, trusting sister
With a "paroxysmal kiss."
I-e's as good as the pious brother
Who weeps with you, and prays
As long as the shrewd investment
Of his tender brotherhood pays.
Though a little preaching is wholesome,
And, certain, it's right to pray,
My spirit don't hanker for either,
Though my debts I always pay.
And I never have wronged a person
Out of a cent in my life,
Or robbed the widow and orphan,
Or parted man and wife.
And I hold if a man don't do so,
Striving' for truth and right,
He's as good as the praying miser
Who covets "the widow's mite."
And thinking the matter overThough I know I'm full of sinI'll not enter the shining fold
And you needn't "take me in."