Who is a Christian in this Christian land <br />Of many churches and of lofty spires? <br />Not he who sits in soft upholstered pews <br />Bought by the profits of unholy greed, <br />And looks devotion, while he thinks of gain. <br />Not he who sends petitions from the lips <br />That lie to-morrow in the street and mart. <br />Not he who fattens on another's toil, <br />And flings his unearned riches to the poor, <br />Or aids the heathen with a lessened wage, <br />And builds cathedrals with an increased rent. <br />Christ, with Thy great, sweet, simple creed of love, <br />How must Thou weary of Earth's 'Christian' clans, <br />Who preach salvation through Thy saving blood <br />While planning slaughter of their fellow men. <br />Who is a Christian? It is one whose life <br />Is built on love, on kindness and on faith; <br />Who holds his brother as his other self; <br />Who toils for justice, equity and PEACE, <br />And hides no aim or purpose in his heart <br />That will not chord with universal good. <br />Though he be pagan, heretic or Jew, <br />That man is Christian and beloved of Christ.<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/who-is-a-christian/
