Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-08-10
firisiAt 8tahing.
ANGEL LILLY.
An Incident in the Life of the Child Angel.

BY MRS. MARY A. DEEIsoE.
Although wonderful child, Lilly was
by no means a grave, unearthly, precocious
little one. Her smile was as sunny as her
hair, and her eyes were always laughing.
She was, indeed, a beam Of light wherever
seen. AZ the sight Of her lovely face, the
stern yisages of worldly men relaxed, and
the old always held open arms for her,
She warmed their hearts with her happy,
artIess prattle. One day her mother took
her on board Of a steamboat, on a pleasure
excursion. At first Lilly looked grave, :.
finding herself among SO many strange peo-
pie, but spying at the farther end of the
saloon q venerable man, who held a little
girl by the hand, she begged her mother
to let her 90 and see the rosy-cheeked
child. Mrs. - was not afraid to trust
Lilly. II she said, "Lilly, remember and
do not go out of the door or by the win
dow" she knew that she might rely upon
the sweet child's implicit obedience. So
away went Lilly, her beautiful great eyes
shining, her steps rather slow, bat when
she got near the child she looked for a
moment in her little chubby face, and
smile answered smile the two quickly un-
derstood each other, and were soon busily
playing together. The old gentleman re-
gaTded them with a look that was not lost
upon Lilly, so by-and-by sliding up to his
knee, she asked
as that your little girll"
"Yes, dear" was the reply, "at least she
Is my little grand daughter"
"Are you her grandpap
"Yes, dear"
VI got a grandpa" said Lilly, with that
sweet coaxing way that is in some children
so irresistible, "and he's a good man and
loves Jesus. Do you love Jesusg"
The old man looked at her with a strange
expression, but did not speak.
Say you love Jesus, don't youG Don't
You love Him because He died to save
youG Say, don't You love JesusY"
my little child" murmured the old
white-headed man, and his lips began to
quiver.
She looked at him earnestly, thought
fully-then a grieved expression crossed
her sweet face, and she said, softly, "You
do love Jesus, don't your
"My little one-ah! l wish I did
wish l did," and be shook his head mourn
fully.
For one full moment she stood gazing
on the floor, then flying from the knee
where she had been resting, she sought
her mother, caught hold Of her hand, and
saying, "Ol mamma, that little girls grand.
pa, over there, don't love Jesus; won't you
come and tell him he musti"
The child would take no denial, but be.
sought with such earnestness, that hel
mother was fain to 90 and scat herself by
the old mans side, after which Lilly, feeling
perfectly assured that the old man woulc
soon love Jesus, whether he had before O
not, resumed her merry play with her lit
tie new found companion.
Mrs. - sat for some time silent an,
embarrassed where her little daughter ha,
escorted her.
aTbat's a wonderful little one," said tn
old gentleman, after he had mastered hi
emotion.
"Oh no, sir, a very pleasant, good chilt
but there is nothing wonderful about her,
replied the mother.
MADAM, pardon me-but no one eve
took that much interest in me, to ask n
the simple question hat child put to m
and | am now in my eighty-third year,
-lue DlOIc, slIs you kuOW, SAYS LndI y
Of the months of babes and Stockings &c
hath ordained praise"
aAh! yes, I remember-I read my Bib
great deal, madam" and he sighed hea
lily.
sand you find comfort in its truths,
hope, sirp
aNo, madam. / have been for many yea
shaping the Scriptures to suit some pee
liar views of mine, so that ! have given
attention to it as a saving medium. VIII
-your little child pat that-question to n
madam, ! seemed suddenly to awake, as
were, out Of a slumber Of ages" and aga
be- sighed heavily.
az think, sir" said Mrs. -, eff y
would not disdain 30 humble an inst
ment my little daughter, as she has p
haps begun the good work, might lead J
10 the truth"
sThe boat is stopping, madam" said
old gentleman, then he added eagerly
"wilI yoa accompany me to my home?
viii be pleasanter than the hot grove
this hour Of the day, and would talk m
with hat angel child"
His new-found friend consented,
they walked together for some nome
the little children hand in hand, until t
anne in sight of a splendid mansion.
park, dotted with beautiful timber, la,
front, and the sun Frightened its open pa
and threw threads ofliglt in among
shadowed foliage spreading broadly
the green. This led into a garden
laid out, blooming with various flower
The glass roof Of a large conservatory
tering in the red light Of that moor b
and through its transparent windows,
lemon and the orange could be seen.
N They entered the house. 1t wore a
OF grandeur, and every room was ado
with rich and costly furniture.
oh what a happy house Period a
81 Jsllv