The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-04-02


BY fiery ends-whereby waste,
And light Gods future with my past"
viii not sit down You are living proc
of the doctrine of total depravity, Michal Ellis
Haven't / told you, again and again, that thos
books were killing you-that there was deatf
in theml and you mind me no more than tn,
east wind. You might teach perseverance t.
the sainis-no-no chsir-I never affected tn,
company of suicides!"
But he did sit down, even while he spoke
that gray-baired, gray-eyed, long-lmbed loose
jointed man, who stood shaking his long, bony
forefiDger at Miss Mchal and her books, one
forenoon, when | entered her room, and stole
into my usual seat, within the shadow of ter
chair. Miss Mchal smiled pleasantly as she
laid her hand upon the shiivelled one that still
continued to point threateningly TO her books,
and faid something in a language wholly new
to ne.
''WhosD can look on Death, fears no shad-
ows!" repeated the gentleman, in English ;
aad there was a kind of twinkle in his deep-set
eyes, that seemed to belle his querulous tone 8,
as he went on
Umph So much for training house
bantam like an eagle / much doubt if your
wise father ever suspected your sex; and /, like
foo, have kept on in his track. But, I'll nct t
have manslaughter or womanslaughter on my
conscience. Does not the wise man say, " He
that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow !"
Certainly, my dear sir; but you have al
wa .'.~sht me. that truth. to be of any value,
must be- tested by experience; L must, ike ali
who have gone before me, prove the wise mans
W ords myself Besides" she added more grave
ly, " death will not fail to meet us somewhere,
while time gees so fast, and there is so much
TO learn
The bright twinkle in the gentemaus eyes
s1i:ened into a fond admiration and interest
y,t it did not affect his voice or his words, for
both were harsh and irritable, as he took an
open book from the table, and, running his eye
over a slip of paper that lay within, asked
whats all this about? Circles and at
tractive forces Procession and Recession o
the Equinoxes Zodacal Light; Aye, that
zodiscal light of March 10th was a most beau
tiful sight, Michal. The pyramidical form was
perfectly distinct, from base to apex. most
splendid phenomenal"
1t was as if the light of which he spoke rest
ed on his face, it was so bright with enthusi.
asm.
Micha smiled a little nischievously as she
answered.
"Yes, indeed | had long wanted to observe
it. and improve the opportunity. l watched ii
for more than sn hour !"
"You did-you, Michal Ellis-with that
congh!"
Ney. Won Enovy vnu bava oCtan dasor;had
it 10 ne, and | wanted to see it so muchl"
~ j wish my tongue had been blistered
hefJre | had ever spoken to you of it But
when did a woman ever use any reason but
araHt and I lrW!' An hour In this raw
night air. 10 look at a mere light space in the
heavens--a mere willo -the-wisp 1 was foo
TO have looked at it myself"
Michal took 10 notice of this burst of irrita
zion, but said, quietly: have been thinking
over what you told the class one day, of Ritten
houses fainting from excess of emotion on wit
messing the last transit of Venus. | think /
the most natural thing in the world. 1t mus
be so sublime to grasp with ones own strong
untiring will, at the comprehension of tn
mighty plans of God; and if this comprehensive
grows wiser as it grows more perfect, to becom,
more and more at one with Him-to grasp 9
Gods secrete, and catch them The though
almost takes away the breath. All if we wer,
not such cowards-so weak and faithless Th,
child might, 1t sometimes seems, grasp the sur
beams, If he would only put forth sufficient
,strong-I WW!"
Now, the Look of love aud admiration brigh
ehed and soflened, for all instant, every line i
that worn face-but he resolutely put it out
could see tie effort to do so working among th
muscles of his scraggy throat as he said, in
voice, the intense sadness of which caused M
10 stact-
aferhaps so; but what avals it to cate
one sunbeam, while the child or man, for "
are all alike, sees ever those ahead mofe beaut
full ard difficult to reach ;"
because it is surely better to possess or
treasure, than TO 60 empty,handed through lit'
besides, the strength gained 40 that single etfo
would give him more firmness sne endurant
TO grasp the more beautiful and difficult. h
If it seems the task Of ages, perhaps OF eternit
10 reach that point where he may stand face
tace with the great centre of light, and read
secrets Surely, If one strives, be can ev
an proximate toward this; and it Is tar bett
to NJ ske one effort, than 20 sit down and cry,
gardlet's OF the wisdom and wealth of goldt
experience around US, because the way Is
difficult an d far, Or because we cannot grasp
all at once"
She again wore the look of Hesperus-tl
starry hight WAS Wlthin her eyes, Ss she
there, with erec. head and swelling chest; 81
i felt vexed that the iron-gray head aud Il
iron nuscled face should be turned away fro
her just then, as it seemed, only to mutter-
" Dreams-dreams "
I" Not so," she said; al will not believe i
for though L would not presume knOw tn
my Redeemer iveth.' My faith in God al
Eternity is beyond doubt-then, why should
distrust the deepest hopes and aspirations
my heart? They may grow dim, they m,
seemingly vanish, but know that nothing 81
fers change unknown to God; and in the graz
economy of Nature, there is somewhere for the
a perfect realization, and am content to wait
' 1t will not be here-not here, my child
murmured The guest, as he reverently rails
her hand, and seemed by his whole air to be
In spirit before her.
q Perhaps not-but-the -else,chers-a
am not the less content dear Master"