Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-10-24
THE VASE AND THE DART.

!
A young boy entered beautiful garden
which extended as far as the eye could reach.
Through the whole length of it stretched a
narrow avenue, bordered with overhanging
trees. Slowly the boy pursued his way along
it, listening to the songs of the birds, and ad-
miring the green foliage above him, through
which, here and there, streamed the rays of
the glorious sun. He quickly perceived that
he was not alone; on either side, all down the
long avenue, stood line Of maidens, beauti-
full to behold. They were all robed in white,
with wreaths of fresh flowers on their heads,
and greeted the boy with bright smile Of
welcome. Each held in her right hand a
vase of gold, in her left sharp iron dart.
As the boy approached the first maiden,
she held out her vase to him, and invited him
to the contents On the golden vase appear
ed the word prayer, and the sweetest, fairest
fruits were heaped up within; but the boy
scarcely glanced at the proAered gift. "It is
wearisome !" he cried; so pushed it aside and
passed on.
The boy sauntered on, and soon another
fair maiden stood before him; she also held
forth vase of bright gold full of pieces Of
glittering silver. On it was inscribed the
word knowledge; but the boy scarcely CLAN
ced at the profered gift. "It is trouble
somew he cried he pushed it aside and
passed on.
A short space further on, another maiden
stopped him with bright and joyous coun-
tenance Her gold vase contained the love-
liest flowers, and on it appeared written, Acts
of kindness to others. The boy looked at it
wistfully for moment, tempted by the sweet
perfume of the beautiful blossoms. Opportu-
nifty smiled, but selfshness stayed the hand of
the boy, half stretched out to empty the vase
he pushed it aside and passed on.
The next maiden who greeted him was calm
and fair, with grave and earnest look. Her
vase was full of refined gold, and this was the
motto which it bore: attendance at the house
of God. A sound Of church bells came on
the breeze, and the sweet music of a distant
hymn, but in vain they fell on the boys lis
tening ear. "It is dull!" he cried; pushed
the rich vase aside and passed on.
Soon he reached another maiden who look
ed like an angel from heaven. Her eyes
shone like stars in the calm blue sky, and
the tones of her voice thrilled deep into the
heart. Her vase was overfowing with spark
ling Jewels, brighter than those which mon
archs wear. On it shown in glittering letters,
The Word Of God. Opportunity cried, oh,
pass me not by Search the Scriptures that
can make you wise unto salvation! She held
forth her vase with imploring look bul the
boy was intent on pursuing his way. 81 care
not for it" he cried he pushed it aside and
passed on.
II shall meet with more maidens," said the
boy. II see an endless number before me
doubtless they carry vases as precious as those
which have rejected" But even as he spoke
the words, he came suddenly on black iron
gate, and he could pass on no further. Shud'
dering, he read on the gate the solemn word,
Death!
Then would he gladly have turned round ;
then would he earnestly have asked for one
more opportunity for prayer-one more op'
portunity for doing what is right; but the
last had been passed-he had sighted the
treasure of the last
Nor can we despise opportunities and not
suffer for doing so; if they offer the vase, they
also carry the punishment meet for those who
neglect its contents. AS the boy stood trem-
bling at the gate of death, dart came his
sing through the air, and inflicted on him a
burning wound then came another; every
opportunity despised, sent its messenger OF
vengeance, and the wretched boy, writhing
with the arrows Of conscience in his soul, sank
down at the gate and perished!
"Now is the accepted time; now is the day
of salvation )" neglect not this opportunity
it may be your last o, my friends no day
leaves you as it found you; every day brings
its opportunities of prayer, praise, reading
the Bible and obeying Gods laws every day
you have chosen either the vase or the dart.
Dear reader, if this little allegory has
raised the thought in your heart, chow have
improved my opportunitiesT o, push it
not aside and pass on! Let not the day close
without prayer; seize the golden prize while
it is offered to you, or hope not to escape the
dart.
% Never repeat a story unless you are
certain it is correct, and not even then, unless
something is to be gained, either Of interest
to yourself, or for the good of the person con-
cerned. Tattling is mean and wicked prac-
tice, and he who indulges in it grows more
fond of it in proportion as he is successful.
| N.Y. "Mv SON" said q fond papa who was