The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-05-09
THE LANCASHIRE LEDGER.
Young Life.

In the depths of a cave young Life a
woke as it from sleep. And because she
knew not where she was, or whose hand
had awakened her, she gazed intently to-
wards the darkness behind her, and soft
ly said, "Whence am ] {"
Wien none answered, she lifted up her
voice and cried aloud, "Whence am 2"
The cry resounded through the depths of
the cave, and WAS heard in low er depths,
and lower, till it died away into silence.
Yet there was no reply. Then the spirit
turned towards the mouth of the cave
Roses hung around it, and the vine put
forth its clusters among the roses. One
stood without, watching till young Life
should come forth into the sunshine
When she saw the angel, she marvelled
at the beauty Of his countenance, and
said, Soonest thou from the depths, even
rs 7"
And the angel ansM cred, "Thou hast
arisen out Of darkness Tut dwell in the
midst Of light. Thou art but now awak-
ened but | have gone to and fro for ages
of ages. am from Him who awaEed
thee, and my name is Love. Fear moth
ing, for can guard thee whithersoever
thou goest. Call on me, and | will be
nigh" Then, seeing that the spirit look
ed on the flowers and fruits that hung a
round, he smiled, and laid aside the palm
rod that he bore, and gathered of the roses
as many as she would, and the fruits
which hung aloft he held within her reach.
When she went forward, at length, the
whole earth was fair before her. She
roved the meadows, and bounded over the
hills, aud trod the paths of the grove till
she was wearicd and athirst. Then she
looked around for the angel, but she be-
held him not. Remembering that he had
promised to come when she had need, she
called on his name, and he was there
And he rebuked her, saying, "Are there
not messengers sent unto thee from above
and beneath, and thou regardeth them
not? Wherefore art thou faint, when
they are around thee who shall renew thy
strength 2"
The Life gazed steadfastlv, and they
saw that multitude of spirits were near.
They uprose from the flow ers of the field,
and throughout the thickets Of the forest
They issued from the abyss, and came
down from among the stars. They sang
amid the clouds on the mountain top, and
their music foated ON the still lake.
When the young spirit held out arms
they came unto her and ministered unto
her more and more continually. The an.
gel Love also blessed her. When heI
path lay through the sultry desert, he
made shade for her with his wings
/ lie opened way for her in the tangled
wilderness, and soothed her when the
tempest burst around her head. When
she asked, "Shall there he always snsres
and burning heats, and tempests 2" he re
piled. May, but while. When thou
art on yonder summit, cloud shall bear
thee where such things are not. AS sh,
drew nigh the mountain, they that throng
ed around her drew back one by one, SC
that when she cached the summit, be
hold! she was alone. And she saw a
thick black cloud rolling towards her, and
fearing to be swept away, she clung to tho
earth, and cried fearfulIy to the angel
but he was nowhere seecn. Then the
skirts Of the cloud hid her from the gay
bright earth; and a heavey chill fell on
her. And as the damps covered her round
about, one looked forth brightly from the
cloud and smiled. Ii was the angel. ii,
held forth his hand SAYING, "rhough thou
hast oft times forgotten me. behold me
here in thy utmost need" Then was re
vealed bright glory within the cloud, and
the spirit sprang into eagerly. And, as.
they sailed away into the ether, the ange
cleft the cloud with his rod and showed
unto his charge the path she had travers
ed. The glury in which she lay fell upon
it, and made it wholly beautiful. The
waters which had been dark, now glcam
ell, and the tangled forests waved males
tically in the golden light. When she
looked upwards she saw how the radiance
spread unto the depths Of the heavens TIL
her dazzed eyes could see no farther
"Fearest thou 2" said the angel, as she
bowed her head. 81 lead thee unto Him
who awaken I'd thee out of darkness"
Il would fain behold Him." she replie,l
"and what should [ fear when | am with