The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-08-08
Xoutt'a Department.
Little Johnnie.

About year since was in the habit OF
instructing very interesting class of boys iii
the Sabbath school. One day a little fellow
said to me. Z" If could always live in this
world should be perfectly happy" llcwas
very brig boy. and his fine dark eyes
sparkled as his fancy picturcda world upon
which the gloomy shadow of death never rest
"Pcrfectly happy, Johnnie: l slowly re-
pcatcd.
EYES," he replied, if could have as much
money as wanted
"Why can YOU not he happy now?' 1qucs-
toned. "God has given YOU everything you
need, and he will let YOU live as long as he has
work for YOU to do" The child did not re-
ply, and repeated my remark.
why" he answcredat length. 81 don't
SEQ anv use in studying or working, or any
thing else, when we must die so soon; and
why should We love ANYBODY when, perhaps
az soon as We have got to loving them, they
will die. or else We shall?'
care YOU afraid to die. Johnnie"
Yes" he sadly replied.
"Why, my child??"
.Becausc," said the lad, ut seems like go
ing into strange house in the night without
any light"
sand yet, Johnnie, there have been pco-
ple who we're not only fearless when death
came to them, but were even glad and thank
full to leave the world. DO you understand
how it could bc:?'
AS he looked pcrplcxcd and shook his head,
tried to tell him how it happened. | told
him how strong men, delicate women, and even
tender children, after terrible sutfcrings, fell
calmly asleep. for they trusted in Jesus; how
loving mothers had left little helpless child
rem in the world without fear and felt him
very near thcm Before he had time to re-
ply, the hour came for closing the school, and
l said good-by to my class. Ere l met those
dear boys again. the heat of the summer had
faded into the chill and drcar of autumn for
sickness in our old homestead had called me
from the city.
One day. soon after my return, some one
raped at my school-room door. The boy
who opened it brought me a note, which l
found to be from Johnnic's mother. She said
that her dear boy was very i'll and wished
most earnestly to see me. SO. as soon as my
afternoon session was through. went to the
house Of his parents. AS entered his room
Jaw sight which l hope never to forget
The dying child whose countcnancc was per-
fcctlv radiant. rcclncd in the arms Of his faith
er, while his mother, who was sobbing con-
vulsively, held his hand. The setting sun it,
lumined every corner of the apartment; while
little canary. whose cage hung i'll the win
dow, warblcd his joyous music. 1t was a
strange sound in that chamber of DEATH
Yet why should it seem 500 Surely triumph
ant songs are meet when the narrow stream
Of time widcns so peacefully into the wide
ocean Of eternity AS soon as the child's
fast dimming eve met mine. he exclaimed.
- am not afraid to die nor. dear teacher:
Jesus, who was with the martyrs, is here, and
he makes it very light" Iprcs>cd my lips to
the brow so soon to be hallowed by angel
kisses. but spoke no word.
"Sing, father" said he, "sing
There is a fountain filled with blood"
The father cndeavorcd to do as he request
ed, but his strong voice failed him, and he
stopped; but the mother, with faltcring ut
terancc, raised the hymn. The first verse she
sang through alone, but the second the man
ly tones Of the father guided her. When
they had finished they looked long and earn
cstly into their boys face. With the sound
Of earthly hymning still in his ear he passed
on, and angels songs seemed but the echo of
his mothers voice. They laid him to rest i'll
pleasant Greenwood, and on his hcadstonc
they wrote, " Not lost, but gone BEFORE.
Dear children, are you afraid to dies Go
where Johnnie went, to the foot of the cross,
and the sweet hope which sustained him may
be yours. | urge you to 90. assuring you, with
Christ for your light, you need not dread the
darkness Of the tOmb.-N. y. Independent.