Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-09-02
Agents for the Herald.
qoetrp.
From rhc New York Mirror.

How unconsciously, in the pure reveries of
boyhood, do the exquisite pictures of the BIZ
bic take form and color, and enlarge and be-
come vivid in the glow of imagination! Who
has not sat in church, and during the calm mu-
sic fed his thoughts upon some passage of the
sublime in Holy Writ, which, just read. lin
gers in his ear! 1t was after such dream,
suggested by passage Of Scripture, that we
wrote the lines that follow:
IT was green spot in the wilderness,
Touched by the river Jordan. The dark pine
Never had dropped its tassels on the moss
Tufiing the leaning bank, nor on The grass
OF the broad circle stretching evenly
20 the ssraigh larches, had heavier foot
Than the wild heron's trodden. Softly in.
Through a long line of willows, dim and cool,
Stole the clear waters with their unruffied feet,
And hushing as they spread into the light,
Circled the edges of the pebblej bank
Slowly, then rippled through the woods away.
Hi,her had come the Apostle Of the wild.
Winding the rivers course. Twas near the flush
OF eve, and. with multitude around,
Who, from the cities had come cut to hear.
He stood breast high amid the running stieam,
Bapsizins as the Spirit gave him power;
His simple raiinent was of cancels hair,
A leathern girdle close about his loins,
His beard uushorn, and for his daily meat
The locust and wild honey of the wood
But like the face of Moses on the mount
Shone his wrapt countenance, and IN his eye
Burned the mild fire of love. AS he spoke
The ear leaned TO him, and persuasion swift
To the chain'd spirit of the listener stole.
Silent upon the green and sloping bank
The people sat, and while the leaves were shook
With the birds dropping early TO their nests,
And the gray eve came on. within their hearts
They mus'd il he were Christ. The ripping
steam.
Sill turned its silver courses from his breast
As he disiEed their thought. al but baptise,"
He said. " with water; but there cometh One
The lncbei of whose shoes may not dare
Ev'n 10 unloose. He will baptize with fire
And with the Holy Ghost" And 10! while yet
The words were on his lips, he raised his eyes
And on the bank stood Jesus. He had laid
HE raiment off. and with his loins alone
Cir, with q mantle, and his perfec, limbs,
In their angelic slightness, meek and bare,
He waited to go in. But John forbade,
And hurried to his feet and slay'd him there,
And said, Nay, Master! have need Of thine.
Not thou Of mine!" And Jesus, with smile
or Heavenly sadness. met his earnest looks
And answered, Suffer it TO be so now;
For Mus il doth become me 10 fulfil
All righteousness. And, leaning TO the stream,
He took around him the Apostles arm
And led him gently to the midst.
The wood
Was thick with the dim twilight as they came
Up from the wafer. With his clssped hands
Laid on his breast tn Apostle silently
Followed his masters steps-when 10. light,
Bright as the Ten fold glory Of the sun,
Yet lambert as the softly burning stars,
developed them, and from the Heavens away,
Parted Inc dim blue ether like veil;
AND 40 q voice, fearful exceedingly,
Broke from the midst. " This is my much lov'd
son,
In whom am we'll pleased;" a snow white
dove,
Floating upon its wings, descended through,
And shedding swift music from its plumes,
Cireied, and flu,ter'd TO the Saviour's breast.
N. p. w.