The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-12-29
No." replied Christophel, and I ON
glad this never was." -.
And vhv do you say that, dear Christie

glad this never was"
And vhv do you say that. dear Christie,
phel?"
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, wa
shall find gratitude"
Christophel folded the Child Angel in
his arms, and then went out into the storm,
leaving the music and revelly behind them.
~.
The mothers sleep continued unbroken.
She dreamed of heaven, perhaps, and of
her angel baby. Unknown to her, two
spirits in white robes fitted across the
threshold and stood Of her bedside.
"The air OF this humble home," said
Christopher, is laden with prayer and
u ~
child, and that il beating in thy mothers
BOSOM"
The Child-Angel bent over the bedside
and looked searchingly into the face of the
slumbering woman.
1T il my mammal he cried, but. oh!
how changed she is how pale and thin;
and, see, there are lines Of care about her
colorless lips and burrows that sorrow has
lett upon her forehead. Christophel, she
has mourned that left her. Poor
mammal"
And the Child Angel kissed the pallid
lips: As il by magic. all traces Of suffering
vanished from the thin face, q smile, d.
vine in its loneliness, rested where before
pain had set its impress, and an iudescrib-
able expression of rest was visible on every
feature. Then tho eyes opened and all
their weary look was gone.
He is here-my Carl-nny angel babel"
cried tho mother. Il feel his presence, and
his kiss is warm upon my lips"
Yes, dear mamma, said the Child An
gel, it is l, and have como to comfort
you. A 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;
lam very. very happy. and sometime you
will come and be with me forever"
Yes. poor mother" said Chriktophel in
kindly tones, your little ono is happie. 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-nothine
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 garme nts, 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
yoar weak arms to his own strong embrace
the treasure which earth could only
vex?"
i will come, continued the Child. Angel.
every night and kiss you while you sleep.
/ will whisper to you Of tho great love and
goodness of the Father. will tell you
bow kind he is to me, and what beautiful
place heaven is. Then you will be thank
full to him for what he has done. and some-
time, when I come you will take your Child.
Angel In your arms and 60 with him to the
Father and there abide"
It seemed then to the mother that the
room was filled with soft, delicious light
and the harmonies OF seraphims. All night
long tho glorious music brought poase to
the chastened soul.