Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1836-07-12
A VISION OF TINE.

II was the evening OF long and cloudless sum
mer day. The sun had sunk to his silent rest, and
the pro,racted and melancholy twilight which be-
longs to that season had succeeded. was alone
in the country, reclining upon sofa and looking
on; with half closed eyes, md feelings too roub-
led to subside to any definite form, upon the still
and darkening view. The intense and omb-like
repose Of every thing around gradually prevailed
over my senses, and. by an extremely curious, but
not uncommon, process Of the mind, passed from
state of deeply excited feeling, to one of deep
rapt slumber.
had not remained long in this position, until
perceived a man entering the room and sliding to-
wards me. His approach was noiseless with vel
vet step he came upon me like cloud moving
over the sky. He reached the place where was
lying, and had an opportunity of examining his
appearance. He was young and vigorous man,
his features had an air of kingly triumph, mingled
With . pal" and settled sadness He addressed me
thus You before you the sovrcign of all things
beneath the throne of heaven; the sabduer of the
sword the comforter of the eloquent tongue, the
easy master of prince and pontf, the inevitable
minister of destiny him who brigh,ens and who
dims the scene of life, who brings and takes away
ov; the offspring of eternity, the sire of the world
am TINE"
but WHERE cried !, 30 potent arbiter of life,
whose powers have so often in grief and told
in tears where is the instrument Of thy might the
sceptrc Of thy empire And where are the hoary
locks Of the decrept form with which men are wont
TO plant the venerable father Of forgotten centu-
rics You are but young man. A faint smile
passed over his face as put this second question.
81 am still young" he replied. "The children
Of eternity fade not quite fast as the sons Of hu
mani,y. | have lived through countless ages,
ding and entombng unnumbered worlds; yet my
labors but begun"
He raised in his hand little hour glass whose
upper compartment was still nearly full, the parti-
Giles Of sand were of infinite mnuteness, and figures
could not have told their quantity.
Behold" said he" the sceptre cfmy sway. As
! sit before the face Of the Almighty, and watch
each year-dropping SAND steal silently through, so
fall and change and pass away the structures the
hopes the life of man. Throw this robe around
thee 1t is Fency's mantle Thou shalt behold the
very least Of the changes that work"
robed myself in the dress which he gave me,
and instantly perceived long. vauted room,stre
out dimy before nc. Ii was filled with double
row Of compartments or successive scenes. The
heightened panorama came gradually nearer, aud
the two front scenes were clearly revealed fix
ed my eyes upon of them. 1t was crowded
church tho shadows Of evening were beginning
crowded aisles aitested his triumph. His glowing
eye and extended arm eyinced the fulness If his JOY
Carriages waited at the door, eonlehdng for the
honor of carrying him home. looked upon the
adjoining scene, which showed the change Of thirty
wears the place, the season, were all the same.
A few ancienis were Numbering in the pews ana
the aged sexton stood mpaiIeniy by the door. An
old man Wa leaGing over the cushions Of the pul-
OFT, 10 torn Grape gown; looking as weak as is
a breaking wave" ] looked closely, sad saw that
1t was the same person that stood IN each pulpit.
listened and caught part OF the discourses; they
were reading the same sermon the passages
which, IN the one place, were pronounced with the
spi ri and yigor of animated eocution, were ia the
other fslteted forth, family, brokeny. These sen
.ences which there reused every heart, add we're
almost deemed the inspiration Of the paracleie, here
fell unanswered by single feeling. The younger
one concluded, and the congregation rose with The
noise Of distant thunder ! thought that saw
tear in the old mans eyes ss he tlosed his book
and nrepsred 10 take homewsrd bis SOLITARY steps.
Time waved little Ssnd snd the next view
came forward. Two young eolleglans we're sitting
in the same room-fnends, ARD inhabitants Of the
same city. Their inmost thoughts were open to
one another; TIER plans were all 40 common nei'
Their formed any dream Of life, 10 which the other
Was no, an actor. And each felt sure that lIie
would not be tolerable wi,.out the constant com
psuionshp ofthe other. The adjoining scene DIS
plsyed drseingroom eonisining several persons