The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-07-20
Calling the Ferryman.

They reached the river, the father and
his little daughter, late in the evening.
The woods through which they had
passed reached to the very brink; and
as the night was cloudy and very dark
the woods seemed to render the gloom
profoundly deep. Far away on the OPP
posite shore was here and there twink
ling light in the small scattered houses
while farther off still were the bright
lamps of the great city whittier they
We're going. Nothing but urgency would
have induced the father to be out with
her thus. As they came to the ferry
they found the boat over on the other
side where the ferryman lived. So the
father shouted and called, but no voice
answered; then he would walk to and
fro, and speak to his child, and try to
comfort her; then he would call and call
again. At length they saw little light
move, and heard the moving of the boat.
Nearer and nearer the noise came. but
1T was too dark to see the boat. But it
came: across, and the travellers entered
into it.
oOASi w ell NY CnllO.
It's very dark, and 1 can't see the
shore where we are going"
No, little one; but the ferryman
knows the way, and we shall soon be
home in the city, where there will be
light and good fire."
80, l wish we were there, father!"
Slowl y and gently the boat swung off
IN the stream; and though it was dark,
and the river seemed to run fast they
were carried safely over, and the child
soon forgot her great fear. In short
time after they landed she reached her
home, where loving arms received her
where the room was warm with fire, and
was flooded with light. On the bosom
of love she rested, and her chills and
terrors passed away
Some months after this the same lit
tie child had gone to another river,
darker, deeper, and more fearful still
1t was the river of Death When she
first came near it the air seemed cold,
and darkness covered it, and all seemed
like night. The same loving father stood
near her, distressed that his child must
cross the river and he not able to 90 with
her. For days and nights he had been,
with her mother, watching over her. and
leaving her bedside only long enough to
take his meals, and pray for the life of
his precious child.
For hours she had been slumbering
very quietly, and it seemed as if her
spirit was to pass away without her
waking again; but just before the morn
ing watch she suddenly woke, with the
eye bright, the reason. unclouded, and
every faculty alive. q sweet smile was
playing on her face.
Father, I have come again to the
riverside, and am again waiting for the
terryman to come and carry me over"
Does it seem dark and cold as it did
when we crossed the river?"
80, mol there are no dark, gloomy
trees here. The river is not black, but.
covered with floating silver. The boat
coming toward me seems to be made of
solid light; and though the ferryman
looks dark | am not afraid of him.
"Can my child see across the river?"
20, yesl but instead of the little
twinkling light here and there, as be-
fore, l can see a great, beautiful city,
flooded with light and glory see no
sun anu uo 1dLup, HO moon OF stars, DuC
it's full Of light. All 1 hear the music,
too, coming softly over the river, sweet
as the angels could make!"
"Can you see any one on the other
bank of the river?"
Why, yes, yesl l see One, the most
beautiful form l ever saw and what a
facet what smile And He beckons
me to come. o ferryman, make haste
! know who it is 1t is Jesus-my own
blessed Jesus l shall be received into
His arms; shall rest in His bosom /"
Is my little daughter afraid?"
Afraid, dear mother? Not a bit.
think Of my psalm, Though / walk
through the valley Of the shadow of
death l will fear no evil for thou art
with me; thy rod and thy staff they com
fort me-"
sAnd thus she crossed the dark river,
made like a silver stream by the pres
ence Of the blessed Redeemer. The
father and mother wept, but 10y and
sorrow mingled in their tears. They
could almost see the golden gates open
to receive their loved one; and they then
understood the words OF the prophet,
1.-THE child eboll dia on bnu1 IL -.oo~.