The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-06-02
Select Aliscellanp.
The Dream Angel.

Anc Dream Angel.
Once the bright Angel whose duty it is
to watch over the happiness of men
the Guardian Angel of the world-drew near
the throne of the heavenly Father, and pray
ed:
"Cive me, O Father, means by which l
may teach man how to avoid in part, at least,
the many sins and temptations which the
Fall hath entailed upon him, for man is not
always bad. At times, his heart is ready to
receive the good which light external might
fix upon him ~
Then the Father spoke to the Angel and
said:
Give him the Dream!'
The sweet Angel flew over the world with
his sister the Dream.
Far and wide spread the gentle influence,
and the hearts of lfe-weary mortals were re-
loiced.--Bnt the soft bneathings of the
Dream Angel fell not alike on all.
10 the good and gentle, who had sunk to
rest amid the blessings of their loved ones.
and whose slumber was deepened by the toll
OF good deeds which they had done, there
came soft and silent glimpses of the far Land
OF Light. Forgetting the narrow prison Of
the world, their souls rose up. and spread
broad and wide over the Land Of Visions, and
gazed with eagle eyes upon the glorics. But
as the night waned their dreams grew dim,
and the outer influence of the soul gently
closed upon them, even as the corollo OF the
Inight-fower closes about it, and shuts from
its gaze its best beloved starry, heaven.
The toil-worn, sun-burnt husbandman
who has fallen asleep in despair, and who
even feared lest some grim accident might
destroy the fruit Of his labors, the sweet
dream came like soft summer shower upon
the parched and dusty fields; and as he dream
co. he saw the green corn rising in good
ranks, and gazed with joy upon the small
soft ears-which, rs first no larger than
fower-buds, seemed as he beheld them, to
expand to ripe maturity. There are certain
dream-fantasies and strange sleep-chanses
that are TO be found only in the deep, un-
broken slumber which results from extreme
bodily fatigue, or in the light, irregular rest
OF fever, even as the grotesquc blue drag
only and the strange water filtered are
found only on the surface of the deep, silent
pool, or the shallow brook. And the hus-
oandman slept on; the fantastic Spirits who
attended the Dream fitted about him, and
spread gay confusion over the happy vision;
for as he gazed upon the golden ears, a pur-
pie and scarlet cloud seemed to over-shadow
hlm, while round about he heard the pealing
OF bells. the singing Of familiar voices, and
the lowing of cattle; and in the intervals
there came the shouts of glad friends at the
harvest home.-Then the purple cloud gath.
cred again about him; but the Dream Spirits,
with their long. shadowy arms, drew him
through it, and he now stood before we'll
filled grancry, and the tears ran down his
cheeks. His wife and loved ones had gath.
cred around him, and their blessings and
praises sunk into his heart and mingled with
the hymn which rose like golden cloud
from the ocean of his soul. And he awoke
from the sweet dream, and blessed it for the
hope which it had inspired him with.
But the Dream flew on the guilty prisoner.
who had fallen asleep cursing his judges. his
doom, and the black, damp letters which
chung like cold adders to his limbs; and as
ne dreamed, the prison door opened, the cold
chains fell away, and Remorse and Rage no
longer fixed their poisonous fangs upon his
heart. A bright light shone upon him, and
reconciliation fitted through his mind, like
golden-winged butterflies through = garden;
and be awoke trusting in release, with his
heart filled with love and kindness. Did the
cold, damp letters fall from his limbs? Were
the prison doors opened! The letters fell
not away. the prison door remained fast; and
worn down by famine and sickness, he per.
ished alone in the narrow dungeon. But the
blessed Hope which tho gentle Dream had
left in his heart, gladdened his last hour, and
as he died, exclaiming, mot my will but
thine, 0 Father" behold there was joy in
Heaven
1t has been said that Hope alone is left with
mortals, but with her abideth her sister, the
Dream, who maketh known to us: for by
dreams we are led to hope, and by hope shall
be savcd.-Jean Paul.