THIS world is the place where Satan has power
To tempt from without and within;
The place where he gathers his servants together
To give them the pleasures of sin.
He has plenty to give to the rich and the poor:
Has plenty for young and for old;
He blinds them to pleasures that always endure,
Far better than silver and gold.
He has wine for the drunkard to gladden his heart,
And cause him his sins to forget,
He may drink to the full, yet when it is past
His sins are all facing him yet.
He has oaths for the swearer to harden his heart.
His conscience to harden in sin,
He cares not for God, he cares not for man,
Nor for warnings without and within.
He has plenty of pleasure, has parties and halls,
Has dances for young and for gay,
Has theatres, concerts, for dupes of his guile,
And calls them but innocent play.
He has plenty of gold for the miser to love:
He has business for thrifty and smart,
He tells them to always look out for themselves,
And hardens their conscience and heart.
For people ambitious he procures,
Admirers for those who are vain:
Has science for learned and intelligent folk:
Has kingdoms for those who can reign.
He has a religion for those who are good,
For those who are serious and true,
A church and a choir, good music to please,
A preacher, a pulpit, a pew.
Just one look of faith at the Christ who has died,
And has risen again from the grave,
Would spoil all the pleasures of sin for the one
Who to Satan and sin is a slave.