True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-09-05

er, with quick shudder, mutfies up his
face within his garments giving the warn
ing cry which tells the wayfarer that pes
thence is in his path
"Unclean L! Unclean."
Horror no heed is given-steadily ad-
vance the footsteps He would not for
the boon of life-life that seems gliding
from him like a dream-that another
should feel the curse that he has felt--that
another should bear the agony that he has
borne.
"Helon -
Oh he had heard that voice before
on that starry night when the moonbeams
danced on the Sea of Galilec, aud he had
drank deep draughts of love from a mai
den's eyes But not now as then did it
thrill his soul with dread, for love, and
pity, and redemption were blended in its
tones
"Helon arise be thou made whole !"
Great God could it be so? Had he
heard Alright? Whole Cleansed from
the leper'S damning curse? The plague
of Israel that had brought him within the
hour to pray for death-was it indeed to
be removed? Or was it but another of
those dreams that he had often dreamed
there in the gloom of the dark 6rs-those
golden dreams that had well nigh crushed
him at the wakening?
No none of those--no idle dream--no
creature of the fevered brain, but bright,
joyous reality! Oh, heavenly was that re-
storing thrill of health to the young no.
ble's wasted form! Down to the dust fell
the foul scales that covered him the
awakened blood, like electric currents,
bounded along his veins with all its pris-
tine vigor; each unstrung nerve resumed
its wonted functions, and in an instant the
leper was restored And as the peerless
girl had done whose love had plead with
Christ for his recovery, so did the CRATE
full Helon he bowed down in alteration
and owned him there the Son of the ever
living God; \
Again the gem spangled veil of night
covered Capernaum. Again we ask thee,
gentle reader, to visit with us the palace
Of Ben-Rama. Silence on this night broods
not within its stately halls. You can hear
the enlivening sounds of merriments, the
dance, the song, the crash Of harping
mingling with the mellow pipes--the
tinkling cymbal and the viols pleasant
strains--all telling of the joy that reigns
within.
Ay, pray, for tonight is the bridal eve
of Miriam and Helon With thankful
heart to Him from whom our blessings
flow had the young bridegroom laid upon
the holy altar in the tabernacle of the
Most High those offerings commanded by
Moses for the leper's cleansing, and they
with priestly rites had reinstated him
among his fellow man.
Though we might gaze upon the wealth
the youth and beauty Of Capernaum, yet
will we not enter where the festive scene
goes on, but tarry without here in the bal
cony, where first we met Ben-Rama''
beauteous daughter on that starry night.
But we are not alone there is tai
form wrapped in dark mantle gazing witt
saddened face over the city. 1t must bt
some guest of the evening-now he turns
his head,--ha it is Jesus!
The sound of the song, the dance, the
music falls not upon his ear. His thoughts
were of his Fathers mission, and the un
thankfulness and unrepentance of those tc
whom he ministered.
"Wo unto thee, Chorazin wo unto
thee, BethSaidal And thou, Capernaum
which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be
brought down to hell"
Thus he spake to himself, even as he
had spoken before the multitude.
But his reverie was broken for steps
came gliding along the marble floor, ant
the bridegroom and the bride knelt there
before him, and besought him, saying
"Lord, our hearts lacketh but one thing
to overflow with joy--even thy blessing
And he stretched forth his hands ant
placed them on the heads of those whit
knelt before him, and blessed them!
EE-The fruit of the spirit. like those O