The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-21
FAITH AND HOPE.
BY DIR. CARpENrER.

One morning, the sun arose. two shirts
went forth upon the earth.
And they were sisters but Faith was of ma
iure age, while Hope was yet child.
They were both beautiful Some loved to uaze
upon the conntenanco of Faith, for her eve was
serene, and her beauty, changed not but Hope
was the delight of every eye.
And the child sported in the freshness of the
morning; and as she lowered over the gardens
and dewy lawns, her wings gltlered in the sun
beams like a rainbow.
Come, my sister, she cried. "and chase
with inc the butterfly from flower TO flower.'
But her sister was gazing at the lark, as it
arose from lis low nest and warbled among the
clouds
And when it was noon. the child said again :
" Come, roy sister, and pluck with me the flow
ers OF the garden, for they beautiful and their
fragrance is sweet"
But Faith replied =" Nay, my sister, let the
flowers be there, for thou art younr and DELIGHT
est myself in their beauty. | will mediate in
the shade until the heat of the day be past
Thou wilt find me by the fountain in the forest
when thou art weary, come and repose on my
bosom"
And she smiled and departed
After time Hope sought her sister The
tear was in her eye, and her counteRance was
muurnfu.
Then Faith said 60 My sister, wherefore
dost thou weep, and why is thy countenance
sad 90
And the child answered sc Because cloud
is in the sky, and the sunshine is overcast-see
the rain begins to fall
6 1t is but a shower" Faith replied, and
when 1t is over, the fields will be greener than
before"
Now the place where they sat was sheltered
from the rain. as it had been from the noon-tide
heat. And Faith comforled the child, and show
ed her how the waters flowed with fuller and a
clearer stream the showers fell
And presently the sun broke out again, and the
woods reSounded with song
Then, Hope was glad, and went forth to her
sports once more
Alter while the sky was again darkened
and the young spirit looked up, and behold there
was no cloud in the whole circle of the heavens.
Therefore Hope marvelIed, for it was not yet
night.
And she fled to her sister, and cast herself
down at her feet, and rembled exceedingly.
Then Faith raised the child, and led her forth
from the shade of the trees, and pointed to the
Sun, and said
shadow is passing over the face thereof,
but no ray of his glory is extinguished. He still
walketh IN brightness, and thou shalt again de
light myself in his beams. See, even yet his
face is not wholly hidden from u.s."
But the child dared not look up, for the gloom
StIuCk upon neT DeaTt.
And when all bright again. she feared to
wander from her sister, and her sports were less
gay than before.
When the even tide was come; Faith went
forth from the forest shades, aud sought the lawn,
where she might watch the setting of the sun.
Then said she to her youug sister 4" Come
and behold how far the glories of the sunset
transcend the beauties Of the morning See how
softly they melt away, and give place to the sha
dows Of night"
Bot Hope was now weary,--her eye was hea-
Wy, and her voice languid. She folded her radi-
ant wings, and dropped on her sisters bosom, and
fell asleep.
But Faith watched through the night: She
was never weary, nor did her eyelds need re-
pose.
She laid the child on a bed of flowers. and kiss
ed her cheek. She also drew her mantle round
the head Of the young sleeper, that she might
sleep in peace.
Then Faith looked upward, and beheld how the
stars came forth. She traced them in their rad-
dian courses, and listened to the harmonies.
which mortal ear hath not heard.
And as she listened, their music entranced her
soul.
At length light appeared in the East. and the
Sun burst forth from the portals Of the Heavens
Then the spirit FASTENED to arouse the young
sleeper