Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-03-26

6" don't tell her about Jesus because she
knows all about him, and she tells me pretty
stories about him )" and the child stopped
and thought moment, and then looked up
added, ""No, Iain't missionary Pse on
~ Aunt Lina's Sunshine"
kissed her broad white brow, but said
no more to her. l did not wish to destroy
that beautiful simplicity of mind by praising
her goodness. But although was silent |
did d'nt stop thinking; no, ms thoughts were
very busy with all the little girls and boys
Of my acquaintance.
wondered how many of them were ''sun
beams" in their homes. How many made
themselves the light Of sad hearts by their
cheerful endeavors to make others happy
All have not an Aunt Lima" blind to all
beautiful things, and whose heart may be
gladdened by the love of little child, but
many have sick friend or acquaintance to
whom kind attentions would come like sun
light, making an otherwise dreary home
bright and cheerful; and all have friends
who are sometimes sad and lonely" and to
whom a word Of love, or a smile, or a G lance
of sympathy would be more precious than
the sunshine. A great poet has said, A
child in house is well spring ofjoy," but
| would rather compare good little children
to the joyous sunbeams that come down from
heaven and dance in at the windows, and
play on the floor and make everything look
sunny and bright.
The next morning rose early, I thought,
but there were others upearier than l. For
when | went out upon the paizza saw, sit
ting under an old willow tree near the house,
Aunt Lima" and the dear little Annie, the
sunbeam. 1t was not wrong to listen to the
guileless words that passed between them,
so stood there just within hearing of all
that passed.
at is beautiful morning, Aunt Lima
said little Annie; " it makes me think ofthat
pretty hymn:
"'There is a land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign"
Don't you know that says, There everlasting
spring abides, and never fading flowers now
| think if il would just keep spring here, al
, the time, and the flowers wouldn't withe
and die, it would be almost as pretty as tina
fand of pure delight don't you, Aunt Ii
, ma p
"This world is very beautiful, dear Annie
) but then we must never forget that the ont
= beyond the swelling food is far brighte
; and more beautiful. Can you tell me wha
2 makes it more beautiful, darling p
/ "Why, the Savior will be there, and W.
, can see him and then, Aunt Lima, dom
= you know the hymn says, Eternal day ex
C cludes the night, and pleasures Danish pain
: Now | think that means that we shall b.
q quite happy there, and if we are, you won
!, be blind any more, will you! for Pm sure
/. should never be quite happy in heaven
a you were blind and couldn't see the dea
: Savior, nor the golden throne, nor the 'neve
fading flowers
G The tears streamed down from those sight
e less eyes, as Aunt Lima clasped the little on
+ to her heart, and said, ono, darling, | sha
b not be blind there"
# "And I'll stand right before you, Aur
T. Lima, when the Savior opens your eyes, an
: be the first little sunbeam that you see, shan
e l, Auntie 2" And the child laughed at Il
1t pretty thought, and twined her arms aroun
rs her Auntie' neck, ard drew her fingers thou9
re the pale brown tresses of the poor blind gin
te | did not stay to hear any more. 1t SCENE
e, to me that little Aunie was indeed bea
r. of Heavens own light, let down into this si
Of darkened world and I thought ifall the Ii
ID tie children would be as kind and good
ls little Annie, the sunshine of our hear
K, would never be quite quenched in sorro
~ G.. +.