Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-03-03
Origiuaf Huprrs.
Written for the Spirit of the Age--Raleigh.
A VISION;
OR, THE TIDE or DEATH
By cnAs. UNDERWOOD, ESQ.

= ANNA NAAA(AA IN 4
country, whose summit was clothed in lux
uriant s~hrubbery, with a rich profusion of
choicest flowers. Before me lay extended
plains Of flowing vegetation spread out on
every side, while gentle zephyrs waited Ger
them, tanning i'll their wings an odor not
less enchanting than the perfumes of an
Eden. Hitler the old, the young, the grave,
the gay, the man 0 fwealth and the shep-
herd, had wandered, to roll in luxury and
beauty where pure streams silently flowed
beneath the cooling shades, and the enliyen-
ing birds chanted their widest and sweetest
melodies.
Some were reclining beneath the branches
ofthe wide spreading willows, (standing in
close proximity along the banks Of those
crystal streams, and working their winding
courses through those plains Of yerdant beau
ty) enjoying the refreshing breezes of an
eternal spring-while others were %strolling
over bright meadows, plucking brilliant flow
es, weaving garlands of choicest texture,
and each GROWING the other with a wreath
of matches beauty.
l was gazing on those plains, and the hap
Ply and favored beings who dwelt thereon,
anu AOhGIl2 W OS nhA ~ D3l LlClJdIlU vi lutIE
Joys, when a voice, l know not whence it
came, said in tones of thunder, Be not de-
ceioed! Such joys are geeting: Come hith-
er and i've
| turned, aud behold ! l saw high above
me, on an emincnce which | had not seen
before, a city, whose glorious magnifcence
inspired me with admiration, and whose
brightness dazzled my earthly eyes, unaccus-
toned as they were to such royal brilliancy.
| saw thousands, who had left the plains be-
low, tending thither, vending their way up
the bold ascent that led to its gates. Some
had well nigh reached the desired goal, 9TH
ers had succeeded and as they stood, ex-
hausted, contemplating the beauty aud glory
around them, ! heard them shout-'the VIC
tOry's ours! Edle!njah Glory to the Most
Hight Others had just commenced the
bold adventure, and unaccustomed to such
scenes of Hardship, would sometimes falter on
the way but fixing their eyes on Him who
stood and welcomed them, they would pur-
sue again with Higor, their upward and on
ward course.
UnconSciously, | was transported to those
dizzy heights on which | had been gazing
and found myself standing near the entrance
to that shiningcity, and ElEAvEN-for it was
the New Jerusalem, with all its glories, broke
upon my astoni>hed vision. Far in the
midst Of shining angels, whose notes resoun-
ded With 'hosatmahs to the Lamb seated Oh
a throne OF light, was the Great First Cause.
while at his right hand sat the Advocate OF
sinners, and q voice more melodious than
all the choirs ot heaven fell on my ear =
Father, | have died behold my hands
behold my side =
tood amazed Of, The sceDeu Ylhith 5asm;
suns Of midday glory, dazzled my earthly
vision and as | gazed on spirits blest, has
king IN that eternal sunshine, emanatin.
from the fourt Of lights, | heard a sound, a
of ten thousand harps, saying WELCOME
Welcome ! Sons OF Earth Welcome to tn
Fathers !-and | saw a legion of ieetest an
gels bearing on their golden pinions a spiri
late arrived from earth.
Lightly they scaleG the walls of the eter
nal city, and as they entered with their pre-
'cious pri1e, the >aulted heavens echoed 'haI
lelujah to the Lamb glory be to the Faith
err AndI heard the Judge proclaim-'We
done, thou faithful servant thine is the viz
tory receive thy great reward?
Other leglens came bearing their preciou
burdens, while others still embarked for cart
to watt TIE spirit Of some weary pilgrim hom'
And as each newborn spirit entered thos
elysian fields, while yet a seeming strange
he joined the heavenly choirs, but to SCUM
a louder welcome to the next arrival. VIII
gazing on such rapturous scenes of glor
where songs of purest melody and everla
ting praises were poured in angelic strait
before the throne ofGod, the vision change
O how changed Heaven appeared NJ
as itself, but an awful, deathlike stillne
Feigned. Angels, Arch-angels and Del
seemed lost in amazement, and all were o
Eing down Oh earth. Long, silent and inten.
was the g nc, and the scene which ensued
pen eaa describe, no imagination picture.
Angels, hushing, hung their heads-Jeh
yah frewned and muttered vengeance-wh
the Saviour uttered groans that seemed
move the Universe then turning 70 Il
Father imploring. yet with assurance sal
Father, they know not what they do |
not thy wrath consume them, but spare the
yet a little longer, for they are the purcha
OF my hloodP and again, heaven rung Wi
praises To the immaculate Lamb of God.
stood trembling and amazed, wondering wi
this strange event Then turning, l surve
ed the plans below, but nothing saw in
that land Of eArthly beauty that would jus
ty SO strange a scene.
Failing to discover, what | supposed
be the cause, and believing that it was
secret which belonged alone to Heaven,
forebore lest | should be guilty Of a vain p
SUMPTION But as Istood, bewildered ,brea,
ing y silent prayer for forgiveness, if such
sin | had committed, al angel, whose gold
wings irSt broke the reneTy, flew swiftly
saying Behold /! behold the ude ?
When far beyond the plain | saw a migI
river, whose waters were dark and mud,
leading CD from the plaiu, and the Nouns
which 1 stood. And | discovered that
murmurinr brooks ofthe yerdant plains W