Spirit of the age., 1853-09-07
98R9AT READING.
. A CHILD's DREAM.

"0iO Sl"S Peu eousuiSlselJ' Years Ioilcu uUWn
her cheeks, (those bitter tears which we for
get to wipe away, as she wrestled with the
angel of the covenant for blessing. At t
length she arose comfortcd, exclaiming: 7
How sweet it's to say, thy will be done!
Near an open window, on sofa suppor-
ted by pillows, lay boy apparently about
six years of age. Dark curIs clustered
around his brow, the fringed curtains of his
eyc-lds rested on cheek flushed with fever
one little hand lay on his breast as he slept,
rising and falling to heavy, quick respira-
tion. The weeping mother seated herself
with her Bible beside him. She gazed on
her child with looks which seemed to pour
forth hearts treasure in glance. Her |
haGds again we're clasped in prayer, as she |
reclined In her chair. The sun sank TO rest;
the stars came outin the dark blue sky; the
moon began her circuit in the heavens, and
poured her silver light into the room, giving
the tracery of each leaf or moving branch in
delicate pencillings on the floor. The mother
sat in holy quiet-in hopeful submission
cemmunipg with the Father of her spirit.
At length she rose and bent over the boy!
The peace and the blessedness of heaven
seemed reflected on bis countenance! Was
ever anything SO surprisingly lovely - she
exclaimed, AS half doubling that it were her
own nursing, she passed her hand gently
over his forehead. He opened his eyes!
'Oh mother, where am I? Is this my room!
1t must have been dream! Oh! why did
| awake!
What was it, my love? Cannot you tell
me?'
The child remained wrapt in thought.
Cannot you tell me, dear one 2 said the
mother, bending down and kissing him.
1 will try-Ihope never to forget it, dear
mamma. You know was very tired Of
sitting up, when you laid me on the sofa
- the soft wind came cool over my face, and
the honey-suckle smelled very sweet.
think I must have slept My head became
~ better, my breathing easier at length felt
us quito we'll, lighter, brighter, happier oh
g. much happier than ever was before Every,
pc thing looked so beautiful and without know
o. ., ing it, l was moving upward through the air.
90 30 in bright pathway of light, with clouds Of
Gu rose color, and crimson, and purple, and
gold, piled up on either side, SO high-oh
>. so high | could see no end to them.
ILL 'Tken began to hear music; and saw
'r- angels in the air and approached city
'c' SO glorious-the new Jerusalem, mamma,
IN that you were reading about-and saw many
ay many, persons walking, all clothed in white
II with something of siIvery brightness oh!
lty ara ia heaven at last y said How have
~. prayed to be here y Yes, some one re-
10 piled, who seemed to be standing beside me
but so glorious l could scarcely look at him,
II in- those prayers are all recorded hereP lay
IeS y: ing his hand on large book. Had they
aF anything to do with my getting here?' Much ;
:, they were presented by the great Interces
'ne sor' oh! who is that so bright and beauti-
ful?' Samuel, the prophet ofthe Lord He
does not kneel in prayer now, said. No
= here prayer is lost in praise
Il cannot describe to you, mamma, the
: beauty and the glory Of the place-the love
and the Joy felt j.! oh that dear mamma
/. -. was here ! cried 'All in God good time,
lul, on my head. Then | awoke Oh! what
OF Joy to be forever there where there is nc
'!e sickness, or sorrow, or pain, Or tears Blu
: III I must wait Gods own time, too. Mamma
ney will you place my picture of Samuel where
=, I can always see it?
one The summer had passed away, and tn
o. gorgerous tints of autumn were beginning t.
p 2ur- appear. The tears of night hung heavy O.
"a. "a. the flowers. which threw their fragrance il
a q III the chamber Of the dying child. Each da
Hl ,lm7 had seen him become more purified, NOR
, o'I ethereal, more meet for heaven. The body
leu perfect in youthful beauty, seemed to fad
'ne away without pain or suffering, while tn
Z bright spirit within, shed reflective ylor
ave A,,or o,or,, foot,,ro ho ,o;oJ oot;ro
'9eS- iigent, spiritualized-feeling its redemptio
IN Ine near, seemed to 6athe itself in the brigl
Dy- hopes and sweet promises of the Gospel
:.eEy Every day his mother read to him, and
A''ee his request, he was laid on the sofa that
'aliy might see brighter worlds On high;' al
Il I'd enjoy the beautiful vision which ST. JoE
-. beheld on the Isle of Patmos.
a'IUn One Sabbath afternoon, the Scriptur
g % read to him seemed more than usually pl
'le%S cious; now lay me on the sofa, mothe
=" Sue The dropping head was pilowed with ca
90 and love, the fragile limbs laid in easy
ctLOH .I' pose with holy reverence and closed ey
! t'neE he said: Now, sit down, mother, and
'ouHr us think of heaven! perhaps l may see t
"9 "a Saviour
le rT Ee 'One kiss first, my darling; for there
A"e less Of earth than heaven in that sweet fac
coun- Aoo;r Tho ,ootlor CO., =; go a',L,s:a:
,gates ~ tho foototooI of divine -
ounty ot Innctb brolo from, boforo tbo 100,
also food of silver radiance illuminated
nave chamber. The mother bent over her ch
,iety /; tho nurs sn;r;. hid Aad Could sbo ~,
listen f,r ond 60 blessod3 Tho o,or;os of bo"'
ociety bad boor soon bv him 6Ts5 u;tL tho e~ 40,
such sanon thon of e,;,b hnt nou f'o eJ'
them IT, ILL. Jnoan, iii frn' ooh i''0o ~
nc in eternity, to him and his mother.
~ ad