Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1863-12-01
The Door OF Heaven.

1t was fearful time when the steam
boat Tryo was lost 1t was long ago,
and almost every body has forgotten it,
except the few who had friends on it,
and they are almost all gone. The Tryo
was a small boat, and the passengers
were few and poor, so. it has passed from
the public mind. All the day the bright
sun had shone down on the peaceful
lake, and everything seemed safe and Sc
cure. The passengers had no thought of
danger as the night came on.
A little boy kneeled down to say his
evening prayers, and as he looked out
and saw the western sky all aglow with
the glory of the going day, he asked:
Mamma, isn't that the door of heaven,
with bright curtains all around it?"
ev" Yes, my boy" said the mother;
heavens doors are all around US. "
"Well, that s the one that l want to go
in at, because it's the prettiest," and the
% child prayed bis prayer and went to
sleep.
1t was never known how, whether the
pilot fell asleep at his post, or the lights
went out, but when midnight came, there
was crash, a shiver, and cries of ter
ror. The steamer had come in collision
with schooner, and was sinking.
The little boy awoke. He cried:
Mamma, where are your" and his
mothers arms held him fast, even when
they sank together in the dark waters
They came to the surface again, and
the mother caught something floating
and held fast to it.
L ~ L IL, II
very tight -
Mamma, are we going to heaven? I
don't like this way-Tm afraid
-"Never fear, child, God will meet
YOU" and with all her strength the moth
er lifted the child upon the floating bale,
then dropped it, and went home through
the food-gates below
Mammal mamma | where are YOUR
cried jamie, but there came no answer.
No one noticed the child ahoat, for eve
ry one sought to save his own life, and
the day was born, ran its race, and was
dying again, when Jamie floated ashore.
The little fellow was hungry, very hun
CRY, but there again was the glorious
golden gates of heaven, and Jamie
thought it was wider open than before,
and as soon as he could crawl off from
the bale to the land, he began to run
as fast as he could, straight toward the
west.
Jamie's feet tottered. He was toe
weak to run, so he walked straight on, a
long, long way, until the west began to
grow dim in his sight
Jamie saw q man coming toward him
but he did not stop. The man noticed
that the childs clothes were wet, that be
had been in the water, and he tried t.
stay him. no
Little boy, where are you going2" hi
asked
81 can't stop now," said Jamie; In
afraid shall be too late
Too latel where are you going tina
way? there is no house there" the mai
cried after him, for Jamie did not stol
an instant
" Yes there is, said Jamie, " and In
afraid the doors will be shut
Whose house, boy"
why, Gods beautiful house. to b
sure. Don't you know it2 1t is heaven
Sect it grows dark" and Jamie mad
one effort, and fell to the ground, faint
ing with hunger
The man lifted him up in his arms, an
come to ont meet Me- ne ana dafah Ghp Sid ne ggpF fe
asleep. When he awoke he found him
self m strange place, with stranger
ID about him. v1
Come, my darling, you must ca
some of this" said soft voice, and til
light of the candle was carefully shade
from JAMES eyes
JAMES last thought was of HEAVIER
and his first question was, add l &c
there? did He meet meT'
And little girl standing by the be
answered: " Yes, little boy, father me
you and brought you home"
Gods father, too, is hep asked J;
mic, not yet fully conscious of his pre-
ent state; then we'll go home t.
gether."
Jamie recovered and grew to manhoo
grew to a good and glorious manhood
and to the time when his Redeeme
called him home, Jamie never forgot til
western door for which he had striveI
He never looked upon the gorgeous pun
pie, golden and crimson glory, the SUI
set, without bearing again in his min
the words of his mother: Yes, my DO,
heavens doors are all about US" An
.Iamie's wish was granted One nigl
the shining light came through the par
ed curtains, and Jamie went home wit
the day, and Jesus. met him, for he love
him-Jesus, who long years before ha
gone down to the dark food-gates belo
to meet Jamie's mother-Jesus, who a
ways watches and waits to hear the cor
ing feet of those who seek the gates
hoo rror - TL.rnf Io......s.T