Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-09-29
The Pilgrims Confession.
AN ALLEGORY.

"Despise me not ] pray thee," contin-
ued the pilgrim, " when confess that my
heart was again tempted to 60 astray.-.
After time became weary of the priya'
tions and fatigues Of my long journey.
yearned for the distinctions and emolu-
ments which servants of other lords enjoy
ed, and for the pomp and spleudor which
surrounded them. Bribes were offered
me to forsake the service of my sovereign,
and to render homage to his sworn enemy.
Sweet were the Aattering words by which
they strove to seduce me from my allegiance.
| faltered-I hesitated-bnt not long
baseness-the treachery of my heart uu>
veiled itself to my gaze, and with horror
spurned the temptation indignantly
away"
Thus. too, was the man of sorrows
tempted" said the shepherd. From q
high mountain he looked upon the glorious
kingdoms that lay beneath, and they were
offered to him with all their glory, if he
would bow down at the feet of common
foe. Yea, he too was tempted, but he fol-
lowed not"
TELL me, inquired the pilgrim, earnest
ly did he-the man of sorrows-grow
faint and weary: Did he feel that he
was encompassed with in6rnities /! Did
he feel that life itself was burden, and
did he wish that the bitter cup of trial
might pass from him? Did he know
what it was to feel forsaken, as / have
felt?"
The shepherd seemed moved by painful
memories. His eyes were lifted to tho
fading light of the evening sky, and his
lips murmured, as if the listener by his
side were unheeded "He came unto his
own and his own received him not? Did
he not bear his griefs and carry their sor-
rows Was he not wounded and bruised
for them, and did not the chastisements
which they deserved fall upon him 3
Was he not betrayed by his companion,
and denied by his familiar friend? Did
he not wear crown of thorns, and yield
up his life upon cross? Yea, pilgrim,
be felt himself stricken, afflicted, forsa-
ken -
And what supported him in the heavy
travail of his soul e. asked the pilgrim.
Angels came and ministered unto
, him."
Thou hast been a ministering angel
unto me" said the pilgrim and as he
spoke, be wept.
"Oh, pilgrim the man of sorrows has left
thee an example that thou shouldst follow
his steps. Like him, take up thy daily
7 cross. Like him, endure even unto the
i end"
He turned as if about to depart.
Tell me" rejoined the pilgrim, wher'
: may learn more of the life of that mar
: of sorrows 7"
}, Lo the miracles that he did, aud the
It things that he suffered, are they not writ
a ten In the Book of the Life of the Son o
a Man q
8 The pilgrim bowed his head for a mo-
}, ment, as if in prayer. A heavenly lgh
d streamed into his awakened mind-a vel
was lifted from before the inner eye. H
e looked up in grateful alteration, but BIZ
: celestial monitor was gone.
10 The staff lay upon the ground, as It hat
: fallen from the pilgrims hand-the shade
,e of night had gathered upon the sky-th'
le stars glimmered in their clustering home
W the barren wilderness still lay stretched
le before him, in all its dreariness and gloom
le but it seemed not so desolate to him
a. now. In the evening time it was ligh
ar about him. He felt that his strength wa
~ renewed, and that he could mount ap a
of with eagles wings. He could run, an
i'd not be weary !; and he could walk, and no
ag be faint.