Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-02
Brother browns Dream.

1t was on that day of hard, ptiless
begging called it missionary day.
Brother Brown was there. Brother
Brown had spoken Of his conversion in
the class meeting in the early morning.
The tears, great crystal drops. had coursed
down his furrowed cheeks as he recounted
his experiences for nigh to forty years."
how the Lord had dealt with him gracious
II. and given him very many blessings,
''for which," he said, II trust am truly
thankful"
And then, wiping away the tears with
his red silk handkerchief, he remarked that
all he had in the world he owed to rei.
gion, that he was trying sin his poor, we TX
way" TO serve the Lord. and he hoped he
would finally meet his dear brothers and
sisters in Heaven.
God bless you, Brother Brown" said
the good leader.
He's IN old skinfint, said crazy Bill, who
sat in Il back seat, in hoarse whisper,
as he shook his fist behind broad shoul-
dered sinner in the direction of Brother
Brown.
Moj of the congregation heard him, but
happily Brother Brown was little deaf on
that side and so was spared the annoyance
of knowing that anything unusual had
occurred
Bgther Brown had prayed loudly that
the Hpd would send salvation to a church,
which, he told the Lord, was in dead
condition that he would break the sinners
heart and revive his brethren who were
growing so cold he hadn't heard them
unaal l. i'm p1oatipcr for eixr he nd hos,
said he, in great earnestness. shaking the
whole church with his knees pounding
uIon the floor and frightening the children
wAo were just coming in, with his thun-
dgous tones. 80 Lord, give our ministers
mDre religion-real, Old-fashoned relig-
ion"
Now the public service had begun, and
Brother Brown was in his own pew. He
never missed the preaching, though it
wasn't what it used to be, he often said,
with sigh.
The preacher had got to his secondly"
and Brother Brown, who had been nodding,
was now fast asleep.
lie dreamed, and the shadows that came
and went on his wrinkled face told plainly
that no ordinary visions were fitting
through his brain.
He was suddenly in the vestibdle of
Heaven-he could hear the music distinctly
and when he first appeared, the door
beng slightly aiar he obtained n glimpse
of its glories.
lie WAS going right in. but he heard
n Stern voice near by, which said, Stop
mortal only the just can enter here"
At first he was indignant. but his tongue
seemed tied and strange spell came
over him his heart and pulse were almost
still.
"On what is your hope basedP" said the
apIarition before him.
II was Christian down in the world
for forty years." said Brother Brown.
THAT avals you nothing!' was the
solemn answer; "have youlno other pleaP'
Brother Brown began to trembie.
Il have always tried to do my duty"
he said, with hesitation, stammering with
emotion.
1--WE shall see," said his questioner as
he took down great book from shelf
containing millions of like appearance;
"a strict account is kept here with every
mortal.n
BY this time Brother Brown was shaking
like an aspen leaf. szssll
The book opened readily to the pagd'
having his name in bold letters at the ton
And the account:
ABRAHAM Brown ss.s-sS
TO Almighty God, Or.
To the breath of life, -ts
To sixty years of health,
TO eight sons and daughters, ~T
70 one farm. m,
To one lot of bonds,
To money at interest, all
To Christian privileges during life, ~
To salvation through Christ, -
To all the suferings Of the Lord
Jesus, -
Item after item, many thousands of
them, aggregating the value of many
worlds.
Brother Brown was sinking in anguish
At length he could speak: " 1t is all un-
paid" he moaned rs he fell insensible to
the floor.
Stand up!" said voice which with
firmness and sternness was awful behold
thy payments" !"
And he saw what he had done in all the
years-so little so mocking to Heavens
beneiicence in its nsigniicance--the pit
tance for Gods poor and for II pershing
world; the plenty, the ease, the luxury,the
boarded store of treasure, of talent and OF
property for self that he cried out in sor-
row, "What shall doP have no hope
lost! lost! LOST"
A hand rested upon his shoulder. lie
saw no form but voice was heard:
Thou may'st return to earth, and again
on in thy years, thou shalt knock at yon
gate of pearl, and perchance shall find adj
mission"
Brother Brown awoke rs the people were
singing:
II gave My life for thee.
My precious blood she'd
That thou might ransomed be
And quickened from the dead.
gave, gave MY life for thee,
What hast thou given tor Me?"
Another score of years lived Abraham
Brown. He could never give enough: in
every cause his name was first, and in
secret benevolence his bounty was without
limit. lie never thought of self. but OF
his Heavenly Masters wish. The neigh
bors never knew the hinge on which his life
turned, but when he died many saw Heav-
ems transformation scene as the glory
hung over his dying bed. and they heard
him whisper, oh, so earnestly:
The gate is open wide. see, I see
beyond the vail! 1t is we'll with my
soul"
Tenderly they laid him in the grave; all
the people wept as if a common father and
friend had gone from among them. and it