The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-10-03
The Land Beyond the River.


breath Of June waited the rich fragrance
Of the summer flowers, while warbling
songsters Of the groves chanted sweetest
melodies to their Creator God, and to their
most melo,lious strains We'd 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,
rs though 10th to leave the scene, still
shed their halo OF mellow light upon the
arch OF heaven; and gliding the fleecy
clouds with the tints Of Paradise. The
whole scene is one ofsurpassing lovelinest
But, kind reader, while your heart is
filled with praise and love to the bounti.
iul Giver Of all good 60 with me and
learn 10 adore his richer love.
Little Ellen, was dying. Pain no long
er racked her weary limbs. Under the
touch of the Icy Hand Of Death, the fever
that for days had been dying the blood
in her veins WAS rapidly cooling, aud 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 siledce Of bitter,
fearless agony they stood around her dy.
ing couch, tor they knew that she was
departing. Tne father and the mother
and the kind physician stood bending
over the form Of the lovely child, watch
ing her labored breathing. In apparent
sleep, she had for some time been silent,
and 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 turn
ing her eyes upon her mothers, face said
in n sweet voice
"Motlrer, see that beautiful country,
beyond those dark rushing waters. o
how beautiful! What is the name Of
that country, Mother.i"
81 can see nothing my child" said The
mother.
Look there, dear mother" said the
child, pointing again; "can you see it
nowi See how those angry waves dash
against those rocks; and oh! what a
beautiful country boyond-lhe sun shines
70 pleasantly. and see 90 many beautiful
flowers. and the birds sing so sweetly; oh!
they are so near me now | can almost
touch them with my hand, and the people
ali look so happy therc.-Ol, papa, can
you not see beyond the riveri-Tell Inc
the name Of that land"
The parents exchanged glances. and
replied together, the land you see is heay.
en- is it not my cbildi"
Oh, yes that is the name: thought Il
must be Heaven. Oh, let me 90. But
how shall cross that deep dark riverl
Father, carry me, will you notl See the
angels are waiting .or me on the other
side, they are h. ldins out their arms for
me. Oh, father, take me in your arms,
and carry me across the river. / must
60" .i H+'H".
A solemn awe pervaded the room as
II they stood upon the very verge Of eter
nifty "a il the curtain was about TO be
Withdrawn that concealed the unknown
glories Of the eternal world.
any child will you not wait with us a
little longer," said the father, stronger
arms than mine will soon bear you across
the river. Stay with your mother li,rle
longer; see how she weeps at thought oi
loosing you"
"Dear mother, do not cry, but come
with me and cross the stream. Come,
father, come--angels are whispering in
my ears, and see being st .nding upon
the other shore who is smiling and stretch
ing out his arms 10 take me. Now be is
coming down into the river to carry me
across. must go-come with mel" and
stretching out her little arms for the last
embrace, she said. goodbye father
goodbye mother. Don't be afraid; He
has come TO carry me aersSs that deep
dark river"
And these were her last words. Gently
did they lay her fair form back again up
on the pillow, and kneeling at the bedside,
those glief.stricken hearts thanked God
for this lesson Of love, and prayer 70,
resignation, saying. "The LORD gave and
the LoRD hath taken away, blessed be
the name ofthe LDRD."
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