Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-09-15
TIE SPIRIT OF THE NIGHr-A
PARABLE.
1T MISS MARrrNrAu.

a
dian spirit followed his course, as they
were wont. that they might visit every
land in turn.
But two who had been among the
abodes Of men all the day. fingered,
unwilling to leave those TO whom they
had ministered.
To the one had been committed the
urn which held the waters of bitterness,
and he was called Wo. His young sis
ter was named Peace; and in her hand
was placed the Tyre whose music was
OF heaven.
There are some. said Wo. who will
not be ready 70 hearken to thee to-mor-
row. my sister, III leave them already
There are also some, my brother,
whom have not yet soothed to repose.
Oh! that we might tarry awhile!'
We may not larry. for there is need
Of US afar. Yet one thing may we do.
Let US give Of our power to another,
that she may minister till we return.
So they called upon Conscience, and
charged her 10 descend with the sha-
dows Of the night, and to visit the
abodes Of men. The angel Of Wo
gave her Of the waters of his urn, and
said unto his sister Give her thy Tyre,
for what other music needest thou than
thine own songs' What other music
is so sweet"
And when they had charged their
messenger to await them at the eastern
gate. when the morning should open il
unto them, they spread their wings and
FASTENED down the West.
The messenger gazed after them afar,
and when she marked the dim majesty
Of the elder spirit. and the mild beauty
Of his sister. she bent her head and ST.
lently went her way.
What hast thou beheldi said the
angels to their messenger, when the
portals Of light were Enclosed. Are
the healing waters spent: hath the Tyre
been tuneful'
The waters are not SPENT she re-
piled. for mine own tears have made
this urn TO overflow. The Tyre was
tuned IN Paradise; else my trembling
hand Jared its strings
'Alas!' cred the younger spirit,
where then hast thou ministered;'
When the evening star appeared,
descended among the shadows, where
| heard voice calling me from afar.
II came from space where raging fires
we're kindled by the hands Of the
priests. Night lowered above, but the
flames forbade her approach, and
could not abide longer beneath her
wings-He who appealed unto me
stood chained amidst the fires which
already proved upon him. ! swept
the strings Of the Tyre. and smiles over
spread bis face. Even while the mel
ody wsxed sweeter, the dark eyed
spirits Of the tombs came and carried
him away asleep
The young angel smiled as she said.
He hearkeneth now TO nobler hsrmo-
MES then oursi But was there none
other amidst the flames to whom thou
couldst minister
Alas there was one who lied tbro'
fear. He was led back TO bis cell,
whittier / followed him. shed the
waters into his soul, and the bitterness
thereof iormented him more than any
Scorching flames which have consumed
his body. Yet must visit him night
ly till he diesi'
Drop not thy wings because Of his
anguish. my sister, said the elder spirit.
He shall We: be thine when he is made
pure for thy presence
i have been, said the messenger,
beside the couch Of the dying, in the
palace and beneath the lowly roof.
have shed into one departing soul the
burning tears Of the slave, and soothed
the spirits Of another with the voices
OF the grateful hearts, I made the
chambers Of one rich man echo with
the cries Of the oppresss d. and sur
rounded the pillow Of another with the
EatheTless who call him parent. King,
have sought 10 hide themselves ~ I
drew nigh, while the eye q the n.our-
neT hath lighted up al my approach
The slumbers Of some have I hallowed
with music, while mine own waneih.
The fountain Of bitter waters wasteth
continually. When Il shall be dried
up ] will break mine urn.
| 'And'my Tyre. said his sister, shall
4 no, be hushed by mightieF music
from on high
| Nay, my sister, not then, nor ever.
No mightieF music shall make men
cease 10 love thine.--They shall gather
20 hear thee IN their cities. and shall
seek thee in the wilderness and by the
sea shore. The aged shall chauni
among the tombs, and The young shall
dance unto thy lay. Unto the simple
shall Thy melodies breathe from amidst
the hoEer Of the meadows and the
wise shall they have entrance a. they
90 10 add fro among the stars.
Thee the messenger sighed, saying,
when shall these things be-
| when thou art queen among men,
knowesi thou not that such Is thy des-
iinyi Thou ART now our messenger,
4 - a =. A..