Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-02-03
An Oasis in Life's Desert.

| AN OaSlS In Llfe'S Desert.
A Modest church rears itself amidst the
woods of New England. There is no car
wing upon its doors, no costly show of world
| ly fashion within its walls, no spire even lif
ting its high head towards heaven simpl,
the plain wooden frame, with its neat white
front and lowly porch. within which the Qua.
ker worshipper is wont to hallow his holy
day Of rest
This little sanctuary stands back from the
road, in the edge of the forest, where the
towering trees o'ershadow it, and the winds
OF heaven breathe softly upon it. 'Tis a
wayside fount, where the weary traveller
may leave the highway of lite, and seek the
cooling waters and the needed repose.
One Sabbath morn, in the warm hush OF
a summers day, when all nature seemed to
be quietly resting, we chanced to find this
woodland spot of peace. Nestled there it
was among the trees, with the smooth green
sward before and around it, upon whose
soft surface the weary foot could press as up.
on the downiest carpet.
No form of human life was in sight.
The trees bent their swaying branches to-
wards us, the sunlight fickered through
myriad boughs, falling lovingly upon the
grass beneath. and the twittering songsters
joined with the chirping insects in praises
to God.
We drew nearer to the church, close to
open doors, but no sound, not even the fain.
test breath, came through the silent space
beyond. We passed the threshold, saw
around us the plain walls, bare floor, and
rudely framed seats, and in meek humility
seated the forms of the worshipping few
whocomposed that Sabbath assembly. With
their eyelids closed and hands clasped with
true fervor, each earnest soul seemed to be
communing in spirit thoug ht with the un-
seen power above.
The strangers tread disturbed not their
placid worship. None cared that the world
ling has loitered to rest with them awhile :;
but, as we tarried, even over our own spirit
stole the calmness. The cares of life glided
away from us, the follies of this world cha
sed one and another, as if in eagerness
to escape far from us, and the sorrows of
many days passed like shadows away.
A may drowsiness surrounded Us. The
merry birds still warbled their songs with
out, but they seemed to carol a softer strain,
their notes rising gently upward and upward
still higher, till the sound was lost far in
the air above, then sinking lower and lower,
till we could catch but least whisper Of the
tiny breath.
The signing wind murmured still. but so
family now, that it comes only as breathing
upon us the fowery incense of the far off
fields. The forms around grew dimly seen.
Unconsciously were We losing ourselves in
realms of thought, when sound suddenly
broke upon the stiffness. A voice like that
from another world rose and fell sweetly on
our ear Was it some spirit loved who had
gone be :ore, and just then hovered above us
with its gentle soothing words? So softly
did 1T say, Come unto me all We that labor
and are heavy laden, and will give you rest" 3"
1t was mortal voice, but the words were
divine. We were blessed by them, and as
We gazed upon the form before us with its
uncovered head; hand clasped in hand, and
listened to that gentle voice as it continued
It's plaintive spirit -breathings with heaven
y devotion thanking the Giver ofall Good
or His unnumbered blessings, our own soul
,ose upward with hers to that throne above |
n thanks to him who had taught us, in that |
simple prayer, what pure thoughts arise,
md what true joy is known, from trusting
'hildlike faith in God.
The prayer ceased. A few more moments
# quiet, then the friendly greetings, the
,indly inquiries for the absent, the good
wishes for each others welfare, the pleasant
'od to the stranger there, all soon were en-
led and, ,one by one. each patient steed bore
IS load of light hearts to their separate hap
" homes, and we were left to find our way
ack to the world, and on the morrow's
norm to mingle with the sons of men but,
ver aud anon, in the midst of noise, tumult,
are and unrest. comes stealing over us,
Ike the soothing influence of some passing
ream, the few hours we spent in that vii
lge church, and we bless the kind fate that
'afted us into such haven of rest, where
he storm winds troubled US not while we
nchored for short time to repair our shat
,red sails, that once more we might venture
,fely forth over the waters of life
1