The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-12-30

Il
celestial vision spoke r
An icy chill ran through his veins.
He was upon the point of despair,
when a new thought comfcrted him
ssMay not this be a great sinner" he
said to himself, "who is destined to
| become great saint2 Oh, if the Lord
has reserved to me the grace to conduct
this wanderer to salvation What glo
ry, what triumph
Full of this thought and hope, he
went in search of the house of Abraham
Ben Gerson "Can you tell me where
he lives p he said to one he met on
the way. The man walked with him a
short distance, and then pointing with
his finger, said "There; that is his
house"
The rabbi looked and wondered He
beheld before him vast palace of
splendid magnificence, even externally.
In a spacious court yard were sumptu-
GUS equipages, which had brought atf1u-
ent and noble guests Many servants
in rich livery stood in readiness to well
come visitors and friends. As he en-
tered the palace all the pomp of hui
man grandeur seemed to be before his
eyes.
Wondering and hesitating, he did not
dare to advance. "What display, what
splendor, for son of exiled Israel !!
What part have | here? How can [ be
welcomed, [ humble teacher, in the
midst of all this superb magnificence
Better withdraw than expose myself to
the raillerv of the proud.
But, as he turned to depart, some of
the servants who had observed him
came forward, and with the humble
and respectful manners with
which they served princes,
begged him to present him.
self to their master, and to open
his thought without hesitancy.
Rabbi Solomon, reassured, said that
he wished to speak to Abraham Ben
Gerson; and upon this he was at once
conducted into large, rich hall, where
he was told he would have to wait only
a moment or two before he would have
the des ired interview.
my companion III paradise he
said. "He has his paradise here in
this world. No mortal can enjoy two.
No; | Will no more think of him as my
companion in heaven. At least may
he be worthy so vast earthly bliss. l
will hope. There is still time, Oh If
it might please God to make me an in
strument, though so unworthy, of the
repentance Of this man."
Soon Abraham Ben Gerson entered
He was of high and majestic stature,
of noble and somewhat youthful as
pect. He came forward with out
stretched hand to meet his visitor, and
welcomed HIM with a cordially SO
frank and atfectionate that the rabbi
was at once charmed.
81 repute it great honor to have
you for my guest. Your piety, your
learning, your sanctity, are well known
to me, and are precious gem, the like
of which / have not in all this pomp
that surrounds me. | should be the
most happy Of men could [ add this to
the gold and jewels that here abound
The compassion Of God is great, and |
will not despair of this favor"
Rabbi Solomon looked at him with
an air of profound surprise, to which
these last words added an emotion of
tenderness. Uttering a deep sigh, and
with eyes trimming with tears, which
he tried in vain to suppress, and with
a voice full of grief, he at length said
"Then you do not despair You have
reason. We should never doubt the
divine mercy, 1t may yet reach you.
But, alas pardon my boldncss, the
| path you pursue does not conduct to
hope, but to desperation. You desire
the gem OF purity and holiness; but
your conduct, the tenor OF your life,
your objectionable freedoms, your au-
dacious traasgressi -
Don Abraham, without the least sign
of anger or disturbance, with a gentle
and friendly tone Of voice, interrupted
bim By saying, "Do you believe, then,
that am on the road to perdition?"
"Alas!' said the rabbi, "my heart
is overwhelmed with grief. You are
indeed on that road nor can you pos
sibly be saved without potent energy
of VIII, without sincere aud thorough
repentance, without practical change
Of life
My good rabbi" said Don Abra-
ham, smiling, you inspire me with
fear; or rather, let me say it frankly,
you think you will IN pire it. And yet
my conscience is mistaken in its trust.
But tell me, pray you, what is the
true road to heaven 2"
There is but one way that leads to
heaven" replied the rabbi ct has
been clearly traced by all our doctors
from the beginning, devotion, pray
Ell, fast, sacred studies, charity.n
"No," interrupted Don Abraham,
with a certain decision of tone. "No !:
the way is not one, but many. You,
/ my reverend master, mortify yourself
with fasts and studies. Your lips utter
only prayers and holy words. Your
heart has no palpitation for earthly
enjoyments. This is well. You are a
saint. It is an honest life even this.
and profitable to you, though less
profitable to others. Your path VIII
undoubtedly conduct you to heaven.
But let us not deceive ourselves. The
road to that felicity does not run solely
in rigorous rites, in notifications of
the flesh, in idle prayers. God has
opened many ways to bring poor NOR
tails to himself, and perhaps that which
| [ pursue. though it is not yours, may
run parallel with yours, and we both
meet at the same goal"
What horrors !" thought Rabbi
! Solomon. ''Ihere is no hope of saw
ing this man. And this fellow nv
companion in paradise. No. It must
| have been some hooking vision 1 had.
A malign spirit has deluded me-"
At that moment q servant entered
and said to Don Abraham, "Sir there
is poor woman without who earnestly
begs to speak with you"
"Why have you made her wait 2"