The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-12-29
no. replied Christopher, and am

NO.. replied Christopher, " and am
And why do you say that, dear Christie
phelp"
Because" said Christophel, with all
these beautiful surroundings. with health
and riches and every evidence of the Faith
er's mercy and goodness, there is not a
thankful heart among tho many you see
! before you. The Father has given them all
these things, yet they bear him no graft
tude."
Come Christophel." cried the Child. An
gel, drawing his companion toward the
door, @let us leave this terrible place! How
wicked they must be not to thank the Fa-
! ther for all he has given them. Take me
from this rich house to The quiet little
! ONE used to know-there, at least, we
shall find gratitude"
Christophel folded the Child Angel in
his arms, and then went out into the storm,
leaving the music and revel1y behind them.
".
The mothers sleep continued unbtoken.
She dreamed of heaven, perhaps; and Of
her angel baby. Unknown to her, two
spirits in white robes fitted across the
threshold and stood at her bedside.
"The mir of this humble home," said
Christophel, "is hden with prayer and
| prnise. There is but one sad heart, O
child, and that is beating in thy mothers
BOSOM"
The Child Angel bent over the bedside
and looked searching'y into the face of the
slumhering woman.
ut is my mamma" he cried, but, OIL
how changed she Show pale aud thin;
and, see, there are lines Of care about her
| colorless lips and burrows that sorrow has
lei hop oho
has mourned that I left her. Poor
! mammal
And the Child Angel kissed the pallid
! lips. AS if by magic. all traces of suffering
vanished from the thin face, smile, d.
vine in its loneliness, rested where before
| pain had set its impress, and an indescrib-
| able expression of rest was visible on every
feature. Then the eyes opened and all
their weary look was gone.
He is here--my Carl--my angel babel"
cried the mother. 4 feel his presence, and
his kiss is warm upon my lips"
Yes, dear mamma, said the Child An
gel, 1t is l, and l have come to comfort
you. little prayer told me you grieved
| for me, that your soul rebelled against the
good Father in heaven because he called
your darling away to the Joy of His pres
ence. Dear mamma, do not grieve for me;
am very. very happy, and sometime you
| will como and be with me- forever"
Yes. poor mother" said Christophel in
| kindly tones, your little one is happier in
heaven than ever he could be with you. It
is eternal sunshine there, eternal summer,
! and music and rejoicing. There is no pain
or sickness or sorrow to vex him-nothing
but flowers and song and the sweet
communion with the good Father. Why,
then, should their heart yearn for the child?
Why should the little garments, the little
| shoes and the little toys in yonder chest be
wet each day with tears wrung from your
breaking heart? Why should you rebel
against the father, since he has taken from
your weak arms to his own strong embrace
the treasure which earth could only
vex?"
II will come, continued the Child Angel,
every night and kiss you while you sleep.
will whisper to you Of the great love and
goodness of the Father. I will tell you
how kind he IS to me, and what beautiful
place heaven is. Then you will be thank
full to him fer what he has done, and some
time, when come, you will take your Child.
Angel in your arms and 60 with him to the
Father and there abide"
1t seemed then to the mother that the
room was filed with soft, delicious light
and the harmonies Of seraphims. All night
long the glorious music brought peace to
the chastened soul.