Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-02-28
From the Kenncbec Journal
SAMUEL AND HIS ANGEL VlSiTANT.

II was the solemn nighttime;
The still, dark hour when Natures form is clothed
In robes Of sombre hue, for his sin-oylng world.
Twas thus she mOurned, meth nks,
When our frs parents, pale and sal
Turned them from Eden's lovely bowers,
And with unwilling step and aching hearts,
1rOd the lone path that bore the impress
Of their first great sin.
Yes Night doth seem Ike s0rrow
But Morning, glorious Morning, thou shalt be
An emblem OF the blsslul rest
That every heart may have DER which
The SrN OF liIGHrEousNEss doth rise.
That Sun will every stain blot out
And let the unteuerel spirit soar
To realms Outright and neyer-ondng day.
Twas dreamy Night; ami IN n spacious room
But dlmly llGh'cd by taper's flame,
Whose fl ckernG rays upon the an lent wall
Enarlved rude shadows maht be seen
Two sumpuous couchcs Each had its occupant.
But one seemed higher than the other
And was spread with more gorgeous covering.
On It's downy pillow land head
Grown white W h aye. The brow was stamped
With fIrrows deep, which clearly told
The SOU that dwelt within much care had known,
Thus causing lis fral tenement almost 10 all
And be transformed 10 dust.
The other couch was
Wrapped in spote,s whte-i emblem
Or the pure and gentle spirit il enshrined.
There slept boy-a bright and lovely one,
Whose golden hair in wavy ringcts lay
Upon his cherub face. His name was Samuel;
His mother gave hun 10 the service of her God
Beneath whose radiant smile the child had grown
And waNed in strength till now
When his Almighty Parent chose him to succeed
The errlng Ell-who, thought priest, had slnncd
And sadly, by loving all too well
HIS weak and wicked sons since he to them
Had gwen his Strongest, deepest love
Which he remembered not he owed
To the great God who gave them.
But let us leave this melancholy tale
Turn we again TO Samuel.
A siH small roice in the ar was heard,
And the heart of the sleeping boy it stirred,
AS II brealhed IN his ear a familiar word
"Samue, arise -
The boy he awoke, but the musical tone
Had died away like zephyr's moan,
And again he closed his eyes.
Once more he heard the gentle call,
As II echoed through the spacious hall,
And his childish fears We're banished all,
As he listened 10 the cry,
lie arose from his couch, aud went 10 the bed
Nhere III slept and IN soft whisper said
MY father, here am l."
"lspote not, my child" said the aged seer,
" But II again the voice yon hear,
BE firm not cherish boyish fear;
Let these be the wOd- YOU say
'Speak, Lord for thy servant heareth now,
And before thy face will humby bow
Oh speak that may oley"
Again he laid down to sweetly dream.
But mellow light like the sunsets CLEAN,
And a voice soft as the murmurlng stream
Thrice wakes the sleeping hoy.
lie replied in the words his father had given,
And the mild resp lnse he heard from Heaven
Filled his youthful heart with JOY.
"Samuel go forth charge thee go,
As lsraels priest; teach It's sons to know
That at my ioolstool they must bow,
For their fathers God am l."
As n faithful priest he lived from this day,
Till his spirit threw off irs robe of clay
Ana SCARED to realms on high.
We mothers of our land
Whose sons are fair and beautiful
As cen parents fondness e'er could wish
With minds and hearts fresh from The hand
OF the same God that answered Hannahs prayer
WIll ye not come with faith and humble love,
Add place them on the pure and honored shine
Where Samuel once was laid
on, Il We would, how soon our country's name
Would cease TO TEEN with scenes of guilt and booC
How soon iniemperanee, untelief and pride
Would loose Their iron grasp, and we become
people blest indeed-whose God is lsraels God
! Whose future home is Heaven. S. A. Il.