Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-01-31

ments silence, in a serious, thoughtful voice
eyes; strange enough said Valens; 'sbut
true, my daughter-aN true. Every inch OF
our pathway to the life to come is fiercely
contested. Let thy soul be ever on its guard.
H'atch and pray, my daughter.
Il ,riii, father,-I'll try"
ssThe Lord bless thee, my daughter. The
lot has been cast to US in troublous times, and
many and sore are the trials of our faith and
patience. But then it's all right-all for the
best an exceeding and eternal weight of glory
will be ours The more SeUere the trials of the
present life the more sweet the joys of the life
to come ;-heavcn will be all the happier to
us when we get there" Let thy faith, there
fore, be strong, and thy courage cheerful, my
daughter; and, yet little while, thou shalt
walk in white and join in the songs of anoth-
er world.''
Vertitia looked seriously at her father few
minutes, when, her features relaxing, and her
large blue eyes sparkling with strange glow
of animation, she exclaimed
go! father,-did'nt see Fiduca-see my
dear sister therein that very world 20
Valens said nothing,-only, that he looked
at his daughter, while his eyes quickly filed
with tears.
81 dtd see her, continued Vertita; sit was
MT dream--l think it wasn't, father. l was
there myseif-so, at least, it seemed-hid be-
hind a knoll of flowers. l saw them coming
long train of white forms-and, afraid, con-
cealed myself ;-how foolish that was in me,
father, wasn't it? But as the train passed
where I was,-I was peeping through the flow
ers ~ them,-one came running nimbly tow
ards me, and smiling, and looking right at the
bunch of flowers, called out, s:Sister,'' and
then sped away again. Oh! it was Fiducia.-
it was, father, / tried to speal-tried to fly
after her, but couldn't. 1t wasn't a dream
was it2 But how did she know I was there.
father %
''They shall go from strength to strength,
my daughter, and things that impossible here,
may be very possible there. Now we see and
know in part only, but there we shall see and
kno;c as we are KNOWN" said Valcns, wiping
the tears from his eyes.
SO! how l do wish these thinks weren't
dreams" said Fertitia, with sigh.
cit matters not, my daughter, whether they
are seen in the body or out of it,-they are
glorious realities, and we have these glimpses
of the coming life, in this world, for our COM
fort and encouragement.
90! I wish | were there there nor, father
it's such a bright, beautiful world. 1t has
such sweet fowers-such sweet music, and the
people look so happy there. o! how would
like to be one of that that train, and walk in
in white at the side of my dear sister-it would
be so delightful, and 1 should be so happy
them" said Vertitia, sorrowful.
ssIn due season we shall reap, if we faint not
my daughter. For the present, we must en-
dure as good soldiers of the cross. By and by
the life to come, with its robes, and crowns land
harps, and songs will be ours-ours forever!''
''But it's time We were on our way to the Cat
acombs; it's late-quite. Be ready as soon as
possible, my daughter,'' said Vaens, rising
from his seat, and leaving the hall.
Cease, We pilgrims cease to mourn,
Press onward to the prize;
Soon our Saviour will return,
Triumphant in the skies.
ct a season, and you know,
Happy entrance will be given:
Ali our sorrows left below,
And earth exchanged for heaven"
10 be continued.