The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-02-01

you 10 tell US; II you really have had a
dream from heaven, you surely would moi
wish to forget it; and if not we will help
Z; you to laugh it off.
She answered, swell if must tell you, /
must; no doubt it was very extraordinary
and very frightful: should have thought
. it the effects of the ball, but that never
saw any thing any where in the least like
it.
81 thought | was walking in the wide
street of great city; many people were
there besides myself, but there was some-
thing in their air which Immediately struck
me; they seemed thoughtful and cheerful,
neither occupied with business or with pleas
ure. but having about them such a dignity
of repose, such high and settled purpose,
such grace, and such purity, as never were
stamped on mortal brow; the light of the
city, was also strange; it was not the sun,
for there was nothing TO dazzle it was not
the moon, for all was as clear as day; it
seemed an atmosphere of light calm, love.
ly,.and changeless. The buildings seemed
all palaces, but not like the palaces of earth:
the pavements were all alike of gold. bright,
shining, and clear as glass; the large gilt.
tering windows seemed like the divided
rainbows and were made to give and trans
nit none but the rays of gladness it was
indeed place to which hope may berd and
wherein charity might dwell. could not
help exclaiming as walked along. "These
are the habitations of righteousness and
truth )" all was beauty, bright and perfect;
| could not tell what was wanting to make
me wish for eternity in such place, and
yet its very purity oppressed me; | saw
nothing congenial, though looks ofkindness
met me in every face of that happy throng.
| felt nothing responsive; returned in 81
lence their friendly greetings, and walked
on alone, oppressed and sad. l saw that
all went one way, and followed wondering
| the reason.
"At length saw them approach build
ing, much larger and finer than the rest.
saw them ascend its massive steps, and en-
ter beneath its ample porch but felt no
desire to 60 with them, further than to the
foot of the steps. l approached from Curl
osity; saw persons enter who were dres-
sed in every varied costume of the nations;
but they disappeared within the porch, and
tHCu CIOSSeu TIE uhll III WEitcs VII tudt
| could describe that hall to you! 1t was
not marble, it was not crystal, it was not
light, pure light, CONSOLIDATED into FORM
1t was the moon without the GOODNESS, it
was the sun, without his dazzling ray and
within was stair case mounting upwards, |
all of light, and l saw it touched by the
snowy feet and white and spotless garments
of those who assembled. 1t was indeed pas |
sing fair, but it made me shudder, and |
turned away. As | turned, saw on the
lower step one looking at me with an in
tense, and manner so anxious, that l stop |
ped to hear what he had to say he asked
in voice like liquid music, "Why do you
turn away Is there peace elsewhere? Is
there pleasure in the works Of darkness p
| stood in silence; He pressed me to enter,
but neither answered nor moved sudden |
ly he disappeared and another took his place |
with the same look and manner; wished
to avoid him, but l seemed riveted to the
spot. Art thou come so far he said, 'and
wilt thou lose thy labor Put off thine own
garments, and take the white livery here"
He continued to press me until | got weary !
and angry, and said 81 will not enter, do |
not like your livery, and am oppressed by
your wilderness" He sighed and was gone.
Many passed by me with looks of mingled
kindess and pity, and pressed me to follow
on with them, and offered me hand up the |
steps which led to their mysterious change, /
but rejected them and stood melancholy |
and distressed.
At length, one young bright messenger |
came up to me, and entreated me to enter,
with a voice and manner which could not |
resist. DO not turn away" he said, 'where
canst thou go? Do not linger, for why
shouldst thou weary thyself for nought p
Enter thou and taste Of happiness. Do not
all tribes coIors press into that hall Are
they not clothed and washed and comfor-
ted ?'' He gave me his hand, and l entered
the hall along with him.
"Here was sprinkled with pure water,
and garment of pure white was put on me,
and | knew not how, but mounted the
white staircase with my happy guide. Oh
what light burst upon me when reached
its summit Mortal words cannot describe
it, nor mortal fancy conceive it. Where
are the living sapphires-where are the
glitteriPg stars that are like the bright radi.
ance on which stoodl Where are the
forms either or the looks of love that breath.
ed in the innumerable company that moved
around me sunk down overpowered and
wretched crept into coroner and tried
to hide myself, for felt that had nothing
in unison with the blessed creatures of such
a place they were moving to dance to the
music, to the harmony of songs that never
fell upon mortal ear :; my guide joined in
raptures, and was left alone. | saw the
tall forms all fair and brilliant in their in
efable felicity, their songs and looks of
gratitude forming the circumstance and diff.
ference of each.
"At length l saw one taller than the rest,
one every way more fair, more awful, sur.
passing thought, and to him every eye was
turned, and in his face every face was
frightened. The songs and the dance were
to his honor, and all seemed to drink from