The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-03-25

1t is Gods most holy Dook--these words
of the Lord Jesus :-"But say unto YOU
love your enemies, bless them that curse
you, do good to them that hate you, and
pray for them which despitefully use you
and persccute YOU"
Do all these, and YOU shall be the child
of your Father which is above"
"Even if they beat mei" murmured
the little bound boy with a quivcring lip.
A flash of light passed over the angels
face, as he replied, the more you forgive,
the nearer you will be to heavon."
In another moment the vision had
gone, but still the room was all blazing
with unearthly radiance.
As the little boy fell back upon his pill
low, his wan face reflected the angels
smile, and he thought, II will forgive them
even if they beat me-"
Suddenly more musical voice than
the former fell upon his ear. This time he
was not afraid, but sitting upright on his
miserable couch he saw figure that
seemed to lift itself to the wall; n raw Of
intense brightness outlined all its form ::
its eyes blazcd, yet there was mild beau
ty in them every timo he looked into his
own.
"Littlc one, I am thy father" said the
form in melting accents.
VI don't think you can be my father: :"
whispered the boy timidly. MY father
used to look very old indeed; and he got
hurt and wore a crutch there were wrin-
klcs on his face and all over his forehead.
and his hair was short and white; not
long like yours. And my father used to
stoop over, and wear little black apron.
and put patches on shoes in a little dark
ROOM"
And what clscl =
"Hc used to pray and sing very sweet
Iy, but | never hear any PRAYING and
singing now," sobbed the child bursting in
to tears.
Don't cry, dear little boy, bnt listen to
me. L am your father, your immortal
father; that poor, lame body is all gone
now, mingled with the dust of the grave
yard. As soon as the breath left that de-
formed body,I was with the shining angels
hosts and hosts Of them bore me up to
heaven; and the king Of that glorious
place clothed me in these robes, white and
stainless, gave me this tall beautiful BODY.
which shall never feel corruption. And
this was the reason, dear little orphan: be-
cause | loved Him and my chief delight
was in praying to Him, and talking about
Him, and although l vas very poor, |
tried to be honest, and many times went
hungry rather than do wrong.
And you, ifyou will never forget to say
your little prayer that taught you, if you
will keep Gods holy commandments, and
trust in him always,shall you soon be with
me in my sweet heavenly home"
Once more the child was left alone, but
still the raftcrs were golden, the walls
pcarly, the old floor studded with bril-
hants, and the same soft mysterious light
over all.
n strain Of holy music fell upon his en-
rapturcd senses; it grew louder, and came
nearer and nearer to the head of his little
bed. And then voice-oh! far swceter
than either of the others, sang, nv
child, my little carth-child, look upon me
| am thy mother"
In moment, what emotions swellcd
the bosom of the Lncly boy. He thought
of her cherished tenderness to him long
years ago; Of her soft arms around his
neck, her gentle lips pressing his forehead;
then came up the cruelty of strangers,
who, after she had been put away in the
deep ground, treated him with harshness.
He turned towards her; oh what n
glorious being; her eyes were like stars;
her hair like the most precious gold but
there was that in her face that none other
might so trucy know. He had doubted
if the tirst-riScn was his brother, if the
second was his father but not once did he
doubt that this beautiful being was his
own dear mother.
a little while he kept down his strong
feeling, but the thoughts of the past and
present overpowcred him.
80! mother, mother, mother" he cried,
stretching forth his little hands, "let me
come TO you-lct me come; there is no
body in this world like you; no one kis-
ses me now, no one loves me, oh moth
er, mother, let me come and the hot
tChiS uONH HIS
"My orphan child" she said, in low
tones, that thrilled him to the heart, "you
cannot come to me now, but listen to me-
am very often near you when you know
1t not. Every day am by your side, and
when you come to this lonely room to
weep, my wings encircle you. behold
you suffer, but know that God will not
give you more sorrow than you can bear.
When you resist evil whisper calm and
tender thoughts into your soul; hut when
you give way to anger, when you cher
iSh spirit Of revenge, you drive your
mother from you remember that, my lit
tie one, your sin drives your mother from
you, and displeascs the great and holy
God.
Be good, be happy, even amidst all
your trials, and ifit is consolation, now
that thy immortal mother often COM
munes with thy soul. And farther, thou
shalt soon be with me-"