The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-01-23
FOR the Boy Book.
THE ANGEL VISITANT.
BY EDWIN wILLoUGHRY.

Gentle Summer reigned and yed her
ever mild and loved sceptre over earth. The
forest and the hill side and the valley we're
clothed in waving green, and decorated with
lovely fowers-Nature's beauteous jewels
The sun had run his daily course, and envel-
oped in his golden tinselled cloudlet drapery,
had sunken to rest behind the western hills
calm and sweet twilight had receded and
given place to night. Pale Luna, and her
myriad host Of bright, twinkling attendants
studded the azure vault above. Night-the
glorious Summer night--was resting upon
the earth.
Long sat and gazed on the beautiful
sublime-ceessial scene. My heart, soul,
mind, all were enwrapt in silent contempla-
ton of the everlasting evidences of a Supreme
Creator and that Great or's power. "Oh, how
great and kind and good must be the mind
that conceived, and the hand that placed,
those lamps of love on high and studded the
vault of Heaven with the trembling starry
sentinels.''
But my brow was feyered in the still, beat
ed atmosphere. softly playing zephyr
found its truant way to my abode and gently
breathed upon me. My heart sent forth its
thanks of praise to the bountiful giver of ev-
cry good and perfect gift.
AS l gazed, dark, lowering clouds o, err
spread the sky and bid the bright stars J.
Alas, how changed Darkness had usurped
the place of joyful light, and mortas must
grope their way without the beacons OF the
sky. The distant rumbling thunder shook
the earth, and the vivid, lurid lightnings
flashed with anger, while the rain descended
in torrents. Ny soul was sad-its feelings of
joy and light had changed to sorrow and
darkness. "Thus," murmured, care all the
bright anticipations- fond hopes of youth
Alas, ere the goal is reached, the world Is
changed-the sky is thicky spread with
clouds, and the angry voice of God bids the
torrents flow and wash away the buildings of
the mind"
Again the scene was changed. The storm
had spent its power-the heavy clouds had
rolled back from athwart the sky-the rum
bling of the thunder had ceased, and the mad
lightnings flashed no more. Nights diadems
shone brightly again, and floating cloudlets
added greater beauty to the scene, as they
were waited through the field of blue. Again
my soul spoke :--"Oh, vain man, why muir
muir at the ways of thy Crea tor. He who
made the elements and the starry armament
also rules and guides the same. As the calm
and more brilliant light succeeds the storm,
30 the setting star of Hope will rise and shine
again, and the raging pillows of dread and
despair be stilled to peace"
Suddenly heavenly halo filed the place
and celestial being stood by my side, and
gazed intently on my upturned countenance.
Gazing-still gazing-the beautiful being
whispered
"Brother, why gazest thou -
"To behold the glories ot God, and Sc Q
the exhibitions Of his wondrous power, and
love and mercy"
Sand yet thou aidst murmur when che
storm raged-when thy God showed Justice
and Anger as well as mercy and love I"
81 was sinful. But whence CONTEST thou 2"
"From Heaven. | am thy right hand
ooh, tell me more of God-of Heavenl"
God-thy Father Heaven thy Home"
Home-whose Homer"
"Home of the ransomed sons of God, who
udV6 WASueu tlelr rOpes IN the Dt0OQ oil the
Lamb, and worshipped and served the God
of love-"
My celestial Visitant ceased and leaving
me, scared upward and away from my sight,
but soft and sweet strains of music were watt
ed back to my listening ear, and in gentle
tones caught the cheering words far, far
away :-"God is love-God is Lowell"
The breeze swept by. started-trembled
-awoke. Yes, l had been wandering in the
sweet Alden land of visions. But, kind read
or, was it nothing more than dream Is
there not solemn truth in the vision which
speaks and bids US
"Obey thy God in all he commands, and
never murmur at his acts and dispensations,
but trust his overriding Providence for
good, believing that 'He doeth all things
well.'"