Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-02-10
AN ANGEL VISIT.

W. On L1c evening Oh iUC OiSA ~
. | had been cherishing the humiliating and SOL
emn reflections which were peculiarly suitable
TO the close of the year, and endeavoring to
bring my mind to that view Of the past, best
calculated to influence the future. | had
attempted TO call the prominent incidents Of
the twelve months which had elapsed; and, in
this endeavor, | was led frequently to regret
how little my memory could retain even OF
that most important to be remembered. |
could not avoid, at such a period, looking for
wards as well as backwards, and anticipating
that fearful tribunal at which no occurrence
shall be forgotten; whilst my imagination
penetrated into the distant destinies which
shall he dependent on its decisions. AT my
usual hour | retired TO rest; but the train Of
meditation ] had pursued was so important
and appropriate, that Imagination continued
% after sense had slumbered. "In thoughts
from the visions of the night, when deep sleep
falleth upon man." | was mentally concerned
in the following scene of INTEREST,"
4 imagined myself still adding link after link,
to the chain of reflection, the progress of
which the time for repose had interrupted;
and whilst thus engaged, | was aware that
there remained but a few moments TO complete
the day. | heard the clock as it tolled the
knell ofanother year; and, as it rung slowly
the appointed number, zach note was followed
by a sting Of conscience, bitterly reproaching
me for my neglect of precious time. The last
stroke was ringing in my ears-painlul as the
groan announcing the departure of a valued
friend-when Notwithstanding the meditative
posture in which ! was sitting, | perceived
that the dimness of the apartment became
brighter; and on lifting my eyes to discover
the cause, | was terrified at perceiving that
another being was with me in my seclusion.
] saw one before me whose form, indeed, was
human; but the bright burning glance of his
eve, and the splendor which beamed forth
from every part of his beautifully proportioned
form, convinced me, at n glance, that it was
no mortal being | saw. The elevation of his
brow gave dignity of the highest order TO his
i, countenance; but the most acute observation
was indicated by his piercing eye; memorable
justice was imprinted on his majestic features.
A g~littering phylactory encircled his brow,
upon which was written, as in letters of fire,
@Thc Faithful One" Under one arm he bore
two volumes; in his hand he held n pen.
instantly knew the recording Angel-the
secretary of the terrible tribunal of heaven
With a trembling which couvulsed my frame,
| heard his unearthly accents: "Mortal, % said
he, "thou vast longing TO recall the events of
the past year-thou are permitted TO gaze
upon the record of the Book of God. Peruse,
and be wise" As he thus spoke, he opened be-
fore me one of the volumes which he had
brought. In fearful apprehension, | read in
it my o,cn name, and recognized the history
of my life during the past year, with all its
minutcst particulars. Burning words were
those which that volume contained; all the
actions and circumstances of my life were reg
istered under their respective heads in that
dreadful book. was first struck by the title,
".Mercies received" Some were the remem-
brance of'which had retained-more which
were recalled alter having been lorgotten-but
the far greater number had never been no.
ticed at all. Oh! what a detail of preservation
and deliverances, and invitations, and war
nings, and privileges, and b~estowments. |
remember that "SabJaths" stood ont in very
prominent characters, as if they had been
among the greatest benefits. In observing the
recapitulation, | could not but be struck with
one circumstance;-it was, that many dispen-
sations, which | had considered curses, were
enumerated as blessings. Many a woe which
had rivcn the heart-many a cup, whose bit
terness seemed to designate it a poison, was
there, verifying the language of the poet:
"E'n crosses from his sovereign hand,
Are blessings in disguise"
Another catalogue was there--it was the
enumeration of "Transgressions." Ny hand
trembles as remember them: What an i'm
mense variety of classes! lndiHerence-thought-
sness--formality-in
sins against the world-against the Church.
against the Father-against the Saviour
against the Sanctifier-stood at the head OF
their crowded battaIions, as if for the purpose
OF driving me to despair. Not one sin was for
gotten there. Neglected Sabbaths-abused or
dinances--misimproved ime--encouraged
temptations; -there they stood, with no ex-
cuse, no extenuation. There was one very
long class | remember well-idLe qpords; and
then the passage flashed like lightning across
my mind, 'For every idle word that men shall
speak, they shall give account in the day of
Judgments
My supernatural ~visitant here adressed me:
"Dost thou observe how small a proportion
thy sins of commission bear to those of ON
mission 20 As he spoke, he pointed me to in
stances in the page like the foilowing,-"I
was hungry, and thou gavest ne no meat'-
81 was thirsty, and thou gavest me no drink'-
"I was sick, and thou didst not visit me.'-
was conscience-stricken. In another part of
the record | read the title, "Duties Perform
ed" Alas! how small was their number =
Humble as | had been accustomed to think
the estimate of my good works, | was greatly
disappointed to perceive that many perform
ances on which | had looked back with pride,
were omitted "because'' my ~visitant informed
me, "the motive was impure" 1t was, how
ever, with feelings of afiectionate gratif- |
cation, | read beneath the record, small as il
was, the following passage: "Whosoever shall
give a cup ofcold water only, in the name of
a disciple, he shall in no wise lose his reward. ;,
Whilst | gazed on many similar records, such
were the intense feelings which seemed to be
awakened within me, that my brain grew
dizzy, and my eye became dim. l was ava
kened from this state by the touch OF my SUI
pernatural instructor, who pointed me to the
volume in which | had read my own terrible
history, now closed, and bearing a seal, on
which, with siekening heart, ! read the in
scription preserved until the Day of judy
ment." "And now" said the Angel, 'my