Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-02-04
THE LAND BEYOND THE RIVER.

II was lovely day; the balmy breath
of June waited the rich fragrance of
the summer flowers, while the warb-
ling songsters of the grove chanted
sweetest melodies to their creator,
God-and in their most melodious
strains, with all created nature in rem
dering praise to the Fountain of all
blessings. The golden orb of day was
Just sinking behind the western wave,
and its last lingering rays, as though
10th to leave the scene, still shed their
halo of mellow light up the arch of
Heaven, and gliding the heecy clouds
with the tints of Paradise. The whole
scene is one of surprising loveliness.
But, kind reader, while your heart is
filled with praise and love to the
bountiful Giver of good, go with me
and learn to adore His rich love.
Little Ella was dying. Pain no
longer racked her weary limbs. I'm
der the touch of the icy hand of death,
the fever that for days had been drying
the blood in her veins, was rapidly
cooling, and the flush was fading from
her thin cheek. The dying little one
was dear to many hcarts-theirs was
the grief too deep for utterance, and in
the silence of bitter, fearless agony,
they stood around her dying couch, for
they knew that she was departing
The father and mother and kind phys
ician stood bending over the form of
the lovely child, watching her labored
breathing. In apparent sleep, she had
for some time been silent, and they
thought that it might be thus she
would pass away. But suddenly her
blue eyes opened. and smile of Heav-
enly sweetness rested upon her fea-
lures. She looked eagerly forward at
first, then turning her eyes upon her
mothers face, said in a sweet voice:
Mother, see that beautiful country
beyond those dark, rushing waters.-
Oh, how beautiful What is the
name of that country, mother?"
II can see nothing, my child" said
the mother.
Look there, dear mother" said the
child, pointing again, "can you not
see it now? See how those angry
waves dash against those rocks-and,
oh! what beautiful country beyond
the sun shines so pleasantly, and | see
such beautiful flowers, and the birds
sing so sweetly-oh! they are so near
to me now, / can almost touch them
with my hand, and the people all look
so happy there. Oh! papa, can You
not see beyond the river? Tell me the
name of that land"
The parents exchanged glances, and
replied together: The land you see is
Heaven; is it not my child?"
ooh, yes, that is its name; | thought
it must be Heaven, Oh, let me CO.
But how shall cross that deep, dark
river? Father, carry me; will you
not? See, the angels are waiting for
me on the other side-they are holding
out their arms for me- Oh, father,
take me in your arms and carry me
across the river. / must go.'
Solemn awe pcrvaded the room, as
if they stood upon the very verge of
cternity-as if the curtain was about
to be withdrawn that concealed the un-
known glories of the eternal world.
"My child, will you wait with us
little longer?" said the father; "stron
ger arms than mine will soon bear you
across the river Stay with your
mother little longer; see how she
weeps at the thought of losing you"
"Dear mother, do not cry, but come
with me and cross the stream. Come,
father, come-angels are whispering
in my ears, and l see being standing
upon the other shore who is smiling
upon me and stretching out his arms
to take me. Now he is coming down
into the river to carry me across.
must go-come with men' and stretch
ing out her little arms for last en-
brace, she said, "Good-by, mother:
don't be afraid, he has come to carry
me safely across the river"
And these were her last words
Gently did they lay the fair form back
again upon the pillow, and, kneeling
at the bedside, those griefstricken
hearts thanked God for his lesson ol
love, and prayed for resignation, say
ing, "The Lord gave and the Lord
hath taken away, blessed be the name
of the Lord"