Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1866-03-30
The Three Robes -

in'"tsi ftsions enclosed bF us walls great
and high. / sa~ the softiy brilliant llght
that encircled n ~ith a halo Of glory. caught
the echo a Heavens undying music. a. it
aoatcd up from the throne of God and The
Lamb. There appeared before me an OBJ
Jet q interest," thai Immediately engro.sed
ny whole attention. Ia was a little child %
earth of such rare beauty that faneied him
babe Of Paradise. straying throogh the
gatcs Of The celestial city. seeking Tor ats
home again.
~ length he appeared nearer the gate.
and venturcd 10 knock for adnittanec. 4
feared the knock vould not be beard. bat
the gate was immed iaisly opened by
br'g ghi angel. Who inqsired the wish Of the
littls one. o. shouid Ike 20 come in
sad the child. o. Every thing j. 80 brigLt
and beautiful. and yoa seen 80 happy here.
May / come ins~ The angel answered.
'' 4 GA cannot come inside fhe gate. because
you are not dressed IN the night robe. and no
little child can be admuted unless b. has a
on Then the child glanced AZ his round
limbs. and a. the bong. clustering rinclrts
that half veiled the delicate form. and again
lifting bis eyes 70 the angel be sAiI. - am
sure am a. beautifal a. yoa are, Why
nav ! not come inf7 Tree. poor child.
thou hast the robe of beauty on. buf anoth-
cr garment - required in heaven 60 back
o. earth AMI there learn wbat Cod require.
oi tlcc. and whenever thoa shaif appear az
t.,is cate clothed IN the right robe. thou
shait be fully ~elcone 20 enter
- the child turned away from The closed
gaze Of lieaVen vita qsivering lap. and a
fearful eve. and my heart yearned towards
h'm. a. b. wcnded his say back to earth
again.
As fingered ia contemplation iime iiew
Fapiaiy. and again The child appeared a. the
gate of Heaven. A. b. approached. no.
ticcd sLat hc came wiih irmer step than
before knocked more loslly ior admission;
and whcn Ihe angel appeared IN answer -
Las sumuons. be presented his wish more A.
demand than A. a request. '' am ready
o. come in nos. sald ibe child u have
learned that the good. pure and holy only,
can I've ia heaven. Anl have been very
good. have obcyed ny parents; have
sPokcn 40 wrong words told 40 ialsehoods
gwen some 81 my books % ny companions
who lad none. sPoken kiadly % my play
raate. Wben ;hey we're Lurt. aad been bet
ter than ANY child I ever kneE No. an
goo4. I am dressed la ihc right robe, and
am ready o. come ia."
'' Ir1c. poor ehdI. thou hast newly
clotLel thyself n che robe Of morality. but
thou dost not perceive what a wretchcd
garment thou do1t wear. II n were per.
iectly pure and unsuliiea. it might serve for
che dress oi Heaven. Blt 10 has many
fearful rent and Is 50 marrcd by sp5ts and
STAINS that it can never be made white
'' Bai have been very good and kind.
plead the child. And could discover by
Gle proud bcatings o. Lis iift.c heart. and
ID tac tones of his yoioc. that he thought q
unjust iLai be should not De admitted.
' Sail thou hast had many wicked and
angry feelings in Thy heart replied the
angel. '' and done many wrong things. and
aii these have sadly soiied tay garments.
wLi,A should be spoiicss white. Go back
again. poor child. ibou AT not yet robcd
f0r Heaven. - the angel closed she por-
taI. AM a. The light OF Paradise once more
vanished from tbc cbi.i'. VISION. and its a.u-
s.r grew faint on his ear. he turned his
bright head. and wepi 5uer.y.
Once more tic chili oamc back % carth.
and daily dil he read ihc holy book that
Cod bad scot bin. thar hc "a ight learn about
ths beautiful white robe. A. often a. came
fhe holy sabbath ie vent t3 sabbath school.
~herc rli'dfcn are taught oi G1.laaI bsav-
cl Iacro Del ioaaI hc LlI -n evil heart.
aal -oaIl nat please God uifioat come one
to brlp him. Co. harmed. Too. that there
va. o. blessed ,aviour AL ready 90 hcip h.n.
ani to forgive al his pss' slns. Iast a. soon
as hc uas sorry ior tbcn ani thaf he would
Del accepted oi God anI admitted iato hsav-
eu. by trusting in this >tsioar.
Before the golden gate of ihe new Jcra-
sa'ea. once more appeared thc beauufal
,a.I. A. he waited there with foldcl
hsal. and benicd snccs. he looked so .ove-
D. .a lis meek simplicity. thai thc fo't ieti
.I ..sren seemei aireals sfeI on hrs face.
Attle angel opened Dr. portal ie said
.. o lnou ! sn not vorby o. 1--we in thrs
hea1uiui city. bat nay noe come in iar
I.s1s's sakef~
-rclt cahi. saii the aagei 9Th joy.
.. lhou l.a.t conquered, Nos 90 bil thoo