The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-07-14
THE SUNDAY MORNINGS DREAM.

easy CuAlT anu rs our mouse $1,000 IN q
pleasant garden in the suburbs of Lon
don, the first roses Of the year scented
the soft breezes that famed my pale
cheek, and revived my languid frame.
The bells Of our parish church were just
beginning their chimes, and the familiar
sounds awakened in me al intense long
ing to be with my family once more a
worshiper in the house of God. took
up my Bible and Prayer Book, which
had been placed ready on a table beside
me, intending IL begin to read when the
hour Of ii o'clock service should be an.
nounced by the ceasing OF the bells and
in the meantime, closing my eyes sooth.
ed my impatient wishes, by pic,urng to
myself the shady avenues Of blossoming
lines that led to our church. and The
throngs that would now be entering for
the public worship of the day.
All at once seemed TO be walking in
the beautiful church yard, and yet pre-
vented from gratifying nv eager wish to
enter the church, by some irresistible
though unseen hand. One by one the
congregation, in their gay Sunday dresses
passed by me, and went in where vainly
strove to follow. The parish children in
two long and orderly trains deiile,l up the
staircases into the galleries, and except n
few stlagglers hurrying n,as feeling them.
selves late, was left alone.
Suddenly was conscious of some aw-
full presence, aud felt myself addressed
! 10y n voice Of the most sweet soemnitv
in words to this effect "Mortal, who hy
Divine mercy has just been permitted to
return from the gates of the grave, pause
before thou enterest Gods holy house
again reflect how often thou hast pro
famed this solemn public worship by ir
reverence, or by inattention, which is in
his sight irreverence consider well the
great privilege the unspeakabe benefit
and blessing Of united prayer, lest 10y a.
gain abusing it thou tire the patience of
thy long suffering God, and tempt him
forever to deprive thee of tina. which hith
erto thou hast so little valued" Seeing
me cast down my eyes and blush with
conscious guilt, the gracious being contiu-
ued in milder tone, 81 am one of those
angels commissioned to gather the pray.
ers OF the saints, and form them into
wreaths Of odorous incense that they may
rise to the throne OF God. Enter thou
with me, and thou shalt. for thy warning,
be able to discern those among the devo-
| tions about to be offered which are accep.
table to him, and to see how few in mum.
Der, how weak, and unworthy they are"
As he ceased speaking. found myself
10y the side of the angel still, but within
the church, and so placed that could
distinctly see every part OF the building.
Observe said the angel, that those
prayers which come from the heart, and
which alone ascend on high, will seem to
be uttered aloud. They will be more or
less audible, in proportion to their earn
estness-when the thoughts wander, the
sounds will grow faint, and even cease al
together
This explained to me why the organist,
though apparently playing with all his
might, produced no sound, and why, pres
emily after, when the service began. though
the lips o: many moved, and all appeared
attention, only few faint murmurings
were heard.
How strange and awful it WAS to note
the sort Of death like silence that prevail
ed in the whole pews, in which, rs vas
thus evident, no heart was raised in graf
itude to heaven. Even in the TIE Deum
and Jubilate, the voices sometimes sunk
into total silence. After the Creed, there
WAS low murmuring Of the versicles,a and
then distinct and clear above all other
sounds, sweet childish voice fondly and
reverently repeated the Lords Prayer
| turned in the direction of the sound and
distinguished among the parish children
a very little boy. His hands were clasp
ed together as he knelt, his eyes were
closed, his gentle face composed in reve-
renee, and as the angel wrote on his tab
lets, the words that fell from those angel
lips, his smile, like a sunbeam. illumina.
ted The chYrch for 2 moment, and re
membered the words of holy David,
where he says-"Out OF the mouths OF
babes and sucklings Thou hast perfec,
praise
Presently I was again reminded of
Scripture passage--the prayer Of the pub
llcan. A wretched.looking man. who
swept the crossings near the church, loun.
ged into the center aisle during the read.
ing Of the lessons, his occupation for the
hour being suspended. The second les.
son was the Gath chapter OF ST. Mathew,
| some verses attracted his attention lie
listened with more and more seriousness,
until at length he put his hand over his
face and exclaimed aloud What will be.
come of me in the day Of Judgment y
Lord have mercy on me sinner That
prayer was inserted on the angels tablets.
o may it not stand alone, but be An ava
kening Of better things. May God in
deed have mercy on such poor neglected
ones as he, and raise mp some to teach
them, and care for their immortal souls.
After this, growing accustomed to the
broken murmurs and interrupted sounds,
| followed many an humble Christian
through large portions Of the Litany
/ though often, while I was listening with
| hopeful attention. n sudden ard total