Creeds by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It's probably a translation or a close adaptation of a German epigram. Longfellow was an accomplished linguist and translator, and this type of two-line satirical verse was quite popular in Germany. He published it under his own name, so it's credited to him, but the main idea was already making the rounds in European literature.

'Popish' is a negative term for Roman Catholicism, linked to the Pope. During Longfellow's era, it was often used by Protestants as a way to dismissively refer to Catholics. By placing it alongside the other two terms, Longfellow shows a similar (albeit mild) irreverence toward all three denominations.

It's a couplet—just two lines—written in trochaic octameter, which creates a long, flowing rhythm that feels chant-like and almost ceremonial. That rhythm adds to the humor: the poem sounds like an official statement while poking fun at formal religion.

He's criticizing sectarianism—the tendency of religious groups to get so wrapped up in their own doctrines and differences that they forget the common values they all profess to share. He's not going after Christianity itself; instead, he's questioning whether the institution has strayed from its own core ideals.

Not quite. It's more of an insider's critique. Longfellow isn't claiming that religion is worthless; rather, he's arguing that the practice of religion, divided into competing groups, has shifted to focus more on identity and power instead of genuine faith. The question at the end suggests that Christianity ought to be present — the issue is that it seems elusive.

The brevity is the key. An epigram delivers its message in the smallest amount of space, allowing the wit to land all at once. If the same idea were expressed in a longer poem, it would lose its impact. With just two lines, you get both the setup and the punchline nearly at the same time.

It means: if these three denominations are all competing to claim they represent true Christianity, and they resemble rival institutions more than the teachings of Christ, then where is the genuine spirit of the religion? This is a rhetorical question — the speaker implies it has been drowned out by the noise.