Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-06-02

snail not tell You what allS me; SO YOU
have no occasion to rack your curiosi-
ty; | dare say you would think it some
spiritual triumph, butI laugh at such
things; | am not old enough vet, to be
the victim of dreams and visions.''-
eve do not believe in dreams and
visions, Anne" was the reply. She
replied harshly, ''No, and I do not in
tend you SHALL The sisters looked at
each other and remained silent.
The second day passed as the first :;
Anne was gloomy and moody, and her
sisters, both from pity and anxiety were
unhappy. The third morning she again
entered on the day as one who loathes
the light, and who has no object in Iiv-
ing, and to whom the lapse of time in
the prospect of futurity brings neither
comfort nor hope.
AS her sisters looked on her, one Of
them suddenly said, ''And what was
your dream?" ''Ha, what was it. YOU
would give the world to know, but
shall not tell you. | thought you did
not believe in dreams?" Neither do
we In general; we know them to be the
offspring OF disordered stomach, con-
fused images and fancies, when reason
IS dormant, and the memory of them
generally passes away as soon as we
are engaged in our daily avocations;
yet there is no doubt some dreams are
no more sent in vain than any other af-
fiction or warning. There is a verse
IN Scriptures which mentions God as
speaking Gin the visions of the night.
when deep sleep falleth upon man.
She laughed again. "You have q verse
In the Bible for every thing that suits
you, but do not chose to be warned
in such a manner, and there is no
doubt | shall get it out of nv head in
day or two" 'sAnne, we do beseech
you to tell us; if you really have-had
dream from Heaven, you surely would
not wish to forget it; and if not we will
help you to laugh it off,
She answered, s'Well, if I must tell
you, | must; no doubt, it was very ex-
traordinary and very frightful; should
have thought it the effects of the ball,
but I-never saw anything anywhere
in the least like it.
81 thought l was walking in the wide
street Of a great city: many people were
walking there besides myself, but there
was something in their air which i'm
mediately struck me; they seemed
thoughtful and cheerful, neither occu-
| pied with business or pleasure, but hav-
ing about them such dignity of re-
pose, such high and settled purpose,
such grace, and such purity, as never
was stamped on mortal brow; the light
of the city was also strange; it was not
the sun, for there wss nothing to daz-
zle; it was not the moon for All was
clear as day; it seemed an atmosphere
of light; calm, lovely, and changeless.
The buildings seemed like palaces, but
not like the palaces Of earth: the pave
ments were all alike of gold, bright and
shining, and clear as glass; the large
and glittering windows seemed like di-
vided rainbows, and were made to give
the transmit none but the rays of glad
ness; 1t was indeed the place to which
hope might bend, and whereon charity
might dwell. could not help exclaim-
ing, as | walked along, "These are the
habitations of righteousness and truth;
all was beauty, bright and perfect;
could not tell what was wanting to
make me wish for eternity in such a
place, and yet its very purity oppress-
ed me; saw nothing congenial, though
looks of kindness met me in every face
Of that happy throng. | felt nothing
responsive; [ turned in silence their
friendly greetings, and walked on alone
depressed and sad saw that all went
one way, and followed wondering the
reason.
''At length ] saw them approach q
building much larger and finer than the
rest. | saw them ascend the massive
steps, and enter beneath It's ample porch,
but | felt no desire to 90 with them.
further than the foot of the steps. I
approached from curiosity;I saw per-
sons enter who were dressed in every
varied costume Of the nations; but they
disappeared within the porch, and then
crossed the hall in white. Oh! that ]
could describe the hall to you. 1t was
not marble, it was not crystal, it was
not gold: but light, pure light, consoli-
dated into form. Itwas the moon, with
out It's GOODNESS; it was the sun without
his dazzling ray; and within was stair
case mounting upwards, all light, and
| saw it touched by the snowy feet, and
white spotless garments Of those who
ascended. 1t was indeed passing fair.
but it made me shudder, and / turned
away. AS turned away, l saw one
On the lower step looking at nae with an
interest SO intense, and q manner SO
anxious, that stopped to hear what he
had to say; he asked in voice like
4 liquid music, "Why do you turn away:
Is there place elsewhere? Is there
pleasure In the works of darkness?'
stood in silence; he pressed me to en-.
ter, but neither answered nor moved
suddenly he disappeared, and another
took his place with the same look and
manner; [ wished to avoid him, but
seemed riveted to the spot. cart thou
come SO far he said, 'sand wilt thou
Iiese thy labor? Put off thine own gar
ments, and take the white livery here?'
: He continued to press me, until I go1