Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-09-30

CUrnefS OF GnaG
spacious hall, and the Ministries paused to
''Tis a festal eye,' answered the tremb-
ling maiden, and we have met in JOY and
to commemorate the era
why is this night chosen as a scene Of
p asked the sweet-voiced stranger.
1T is Christmas eve,' replied the maid
en-, the birth-night of our Saviour, and it
is our custom to celebrate it with music and
dancing
1t was once celebrated in ancient days.
said the stranger, with a splendour and beau
ty that would shame the decorations Of these
walls. While the shepherds of Chaldea
were watching their focks beneath the star
ry glories of midnight, they heard strains of
more than mortal melody gushing around
them-rolling above them the thrilling of
invisible harps, accompanied by celestial
voices, all breathing one sweet, triumphant
a~nthem-'Glory to God in the Highest on
Earth peace, and good will to men, While
they listened in adoring wonder, one of the
stars of Heaven glided from its throre Q, and
travelling slowly over the depth of ether, held
its silver lamp eve" the manager, VIII ere slept
the babe of Bethlehem. Then the wise men
of the East came with their costly offerings,
and laid them down at the feet of the infant
4eCQCCulCI' anu "u0IC W yOuT RIItS! COu-
tinuedshe, turning her still, shining eyesfrom
one to the other of the listening throng. What
have ye brought this night to lay at your Sal
viour's feet in conmemoration of your graft
tude and love? Where is your gold, frank
incense, your myrrh ? Where are the gems
from the hearts treasury, that ye are ready
to sacrifice on the altar of your Lord?
The young maiden whom she had first adj
dressed, cast one fearful, earnest glance on
her gay companions then unbinding the
roses from her brow the Jewels from herneck,
and drawing from her fingers each golden
ring, Where is the altar she cried, that |
may place nay offerings there?
Come with me- said the stranger, and |
will lead you where you can find more pre-
cious gifts than these. Gifts that will retain
their beauty, when these garlands shall with
err, and the diamond and fine gold become
dim
The maiden took hold of the strangers
!. hand. and passed through the hall, which
she had so lately entered in ~thoughtless van
! ity and mirth. Her companions pressed
round her and impeded her way. On, stay
e with US ! they exclaimed, and follow no
e the steps of the stranger: your eyes are dim.
4: your cheek is pale, shadows are gathering
!, over your face. She may lead you to the
2 chambers OF DEATH
= Hinder me not cried the fair maiden 4
u may not slight the voice that summons me
g Though walk thro' the valley of the shad
ow of death, / fear no evil
A celestial smile beamed on the face of tn
strangeras the young girl uttered these words
n and they disappeared from the festive hall
T Through the long sweeping shadows of mid
= night they glided on, till they came to
wretched howell, through whose shattere
q easements the night gust was moaning, me-
1t king most melancholy music. By the dir
light of a taper, they beheld a pale mother
grading her wasted infant in her arms, str
4 wing to lush its feeble wailings, looking dow
- with hollow eyes on the fearful ravages {
famine and disease, then raising them in az
Is ony to Heaven, imploring the widows an
m the orphans God to have mercy on her.
US Lay down your golden offers here,' sal
he the stranger, and your Saviour will accel
he the gift. Have We not read that whosoevt
least of his disciples, in his name, giveth
81 unto him p
20 The maiden wept, as she laid her offerir
nd in the widows emaciated hand. Again IL
en- beauteous stranger smiled. The tear of pity
said she, is the brightest gem thou ha
en- brought
bo She led her forth into the darkness on
- more, and held such sweet and heavenly d
course that the heart of the maiden melt
Ut within her bosom. They came to a dwelli
re- whence strains of solemn music issued, a.
as the light streamed from the arching Wi
m dows, it was reflected with ghostly lustre
eft marble tomb-stones cleaning without.
They breathe forth a requiem for the dea
said the stranger, and she entered the gi
:" through willows that wept over the path. 7
music ceased, and the low, deep voice
ke, prayer assembled through the silence of I
by night. The maiden knelt on the thresho
in for she felt that she was not worthy to en-
,ra into the temple. She hardly dared to lift |
,da trembling eyes to Heaven but bending /
forehead to the dust and clasping her har
I'm on her breast, she exclaimed, God be mel
Tn full to me a sinner
IS Thy Saviour will accept the Offering
III tered the stranger in her ear the prayer
oe a broken and ~contrite spirit, is an incel
more precious to Him than all the colours
~ the East
ely You shall see me again. said the str
ere ger, when she led The young maiden to
ind own home, by the light of the dawning d;
,er- you shall see me again, and we will W
acv together once more, but not among scenes
-; sorrow and death, for they shall all have
e az VIII We wan ShAONS"
u shades of midnight, for there will be no nj
ing there There will be no moon, nor stars
OF illumine the place, for the glory of God 81
orse tighten it, and the Lamb be the light the
vo- Of FAREWELL may not dwell with y
With but ye shall come and abide with me. if
,ino continue to walk in the path where | h
,ils1 guided your steps,
a. Never more were the steps of that yoI
ny maiden seen in the halls of mirth, or the pa
of of sin. She went ahont among the child
D. of sorrow and want, binding up the won
hor of sorrow, and relieving the pangs of wi
- She hung over the death-bed of the penit
six ? and breathed words of hope into the dull
-n;tv of dispair. Men looked upon her as she o
ed along, in her youthful beauty, as an
gel %visitant, and they blessed her ia her "
an behring's. Her once companions turned as