Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-05-13
DAILY EVENING STAR,
THE LAND BEYOND THE RIVER

1t was lovely day. The balmy breath
of June waited the rich fragrance of the
summer flowers, while the warbling sene.
sters of the grove chanted sweetest melo-
dies to their Creator God and in their
most melodious strains, vied with all
created Nature in rendering praise to the
Fountain of all blessings. The golden
orb of day was just sinking behind the
Western wave, and its last lingering
rays, as though 10th to leave the scene
still shed their halo of mellow light upon
it, lighting up the arch of Heaven, and
gliding the fleecy clouds with the tints
of Paradise. The whole scene is one Of
surprising loveliness. But, kind reader,
while your heart is filled with praise and
love to the bountiful Givcr of good. 60
with me and learn to adore his richer love.
Little Ella was dying. Pain no longer
racked her weary limbs. Under the
touch of the icy hand of death, the fever
that for days had been drying the blood
in her veins was rapidly cooling, and the
flush was fading from her thin check
The dying little one was dear to MANY
hearts ; theirs was the grief too deep for
utterance, and in the silence of bitter.
fearless agony, they stood around her
dying couch, for they knew that she was
departing. The father and mother and
the kind physician stood bending over
the form of the lovely child, watching
her labored breathing. In apparent
sleep, she had for some time been silent,
and they thought that it might be thus
she would pass away. But suddenly her
blue eyes opened, and smile of heavenly
sweetness rested upon her features She
looked eagerly forward at first; then
turning her eyes upon her mothers face,
said in a sweet voice" Mother, see that
beautiful country, beyond those dark,
rushing waters. Oh how beautiful
What is the name of that country, moth
er 2"
81 can see nothing, my child" said
the mother.
Look there, dear mother" said the
child, pointing again, s'can you not see it
now? See how those angry waves dash
against those rocks; and, oh. what a
beautiful country beyond-the sun shines
so pleasantly, and / see such beautiful
flowers, and the birds sing SO sweetly;
oh. they are so near me now, | can al
most touch them with my hand, and the
people all look so happy there. Oh
papa, can you not see beyond the river
Tell me the name of that land"
The parents exchanged glances, and
replied together, "the land you see is
Heaven: is it not, nv child 2''
''Oh, yes, that is its name; thought
it must he Heaven. Oh, let me 90. But
how shall | cross that deep, dark river 2
Father, carry me; will you not See,
the angels are waiting for me on the other
side; they are holding out their arms for
me: Oh, father, take me in your arms.
and carry Inc across the river. / must
60"
n solemn awe pervaded the room, as
II They stood upon the very verge dieter
nit as if the curtain was about to be
withdrawn that concealed the unknown
glories of the eternal world.
"My child, will you wait with us a
little longer 2" said the father: ssstronger
arms than mine will soon bear you across
the river. Stay with your mother lit
tie lcnger; see how she weeps at the
thought of losing you.
Dear mother, do not cry, but come
with me and cross the stream. Come,
father, come angels are whispering in
my cars, and see a being standing upon
the other shore who is smiling upon me,
and stretching out his arms to take me.
Now, he is coming down into the river
to carry me across. ] must go-come
with me- and stretching out her little
arms for last embrace, she said, s'goed
bye, father-g0od bye, mother. Don't
you be afraid; he has come to carry me
safely across the river"
And these were her last words. Gently
did they lay the fair form back again
upon the pillow, and kneeling at the bed
side, those griefstricken hearts thanked
God for this lesson of love, and prayed
for resignation, saying Lord gave
and the Lord hath taken away, blessed
be the name of the Lord:''