The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-04-23


tFor the Evansville -Jounal.l
Ths Hidden Palace.
With folded wings and bowed head q spirit
in the 'better land" with . petition on her
lips, came before the throne of the great Eter-
nal. There was no need Of words. 1he Pc
tition was granted ere it was spoken, and on
her mission to earth, with swift wings. the
angel sped. In the language of morta,s, it
had been y ears since God had called her spir--
it home, and she had left in tine "dark vale Of
tears" little one. That little one her spirit
had lowered over in the darkness and the sum
light, till her child had become fair, beauti-
full maiden, but until now the key of her
heart had not been given her. She clasps IT
tightly till she stands before her sleeping
child, and then enters the portals Of her heart.
1t is like palace of rare and exquisite beau
containing many apartments. The first is
hung in black, and pail dripping with living
tears, covers the pale still features Of q moth.
err laid TO rest. The tears drop-drop-droP,
bat their bitterness is gone; years have
fed since first they fell like shower
With look Of unutterable gladness that her
place is still kept for her, the angel mother
passes into the next apartment, filled with a
delightful fragrance proceeding from an altar
wherein is burning the sw eet incense Of :
sisters love-the perfume ever the same,
steadiast and lasting. No breath Of doubt or
storm of adversely hath power to sweep it
away, not even the efluvis Of guilt can lessen
it. The altar may be thrown down and
trampled upon, the verywalls laid in the dust,
but the fragrance Fingers ever in the ruins.
Next she glides into vast apartment the
walls of which are divided into inches, some
large, some small, wherein are standing ina
ges, many in number there are; but most OF
them IRE li:tle ones, occupying but very
small space. One there is, 4 large one, high
up, in prominent place, but doubt and dis
trust have woven aveil over it. Still il keeps
it's place, but furnished. The veil may be
lifted, but it can never be as before it was
placed there. 1t is damp with tear drops and
fearful is the stain it will leave behind. There
is another near it, tottering to and fro a. If
about to fall, but the niche is 10th to give it
up and extends lovingly around it, for if it falls
an aching void will be left, hard to be borne.
Next is an image standing firm as rock in
its place, bound fast by the strong chain Of
everlasting gratitude-nothing can move It.
Now she pauses before vacant place.
Fallen in the dust, degraded, debased forever,
Is that which once stood perfect and fair.--
Reside it lies another, broken and dsfaced ill
the semblance Of what it once ives il forgot
ten, and its place is filled with one more wor-
thy. So they rest within the wills Of the apart.
ment, only a kind OF framework for the elq.
riously beautiful image standing within the
centre. separate and apart from all the rest.
Oh! how bright tits kept by loving though
no dust of neglect allowed to settle there; h
fairer vision obscures it. ThsbFightssts NE
best. noblest and purest-ever there, sure
refuge to be chung to when all else forsake.
The next is darkenedroom, over the door Of
which is written-"Every heart knoweth its
own bitterness" And these are the apart
ments clustering around one great centre
illed with light Of inefable brightness CALI
ed the love of God. When the darkened
chamber is darkest with sorrow and suffering
the light creeps in seeming to say, "whom the
Lord loveth he chasteneth." 1t comes like .
halo round the resting place of the dead
adds strength and sweetness to the burning
incense. and writes above that best beloved
image" Little children, keep yourselves
from idols" - s1s EvAHGELIxE.s