The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-06-26
A DREAM.

treasury LOT leQeupGlou lEom all parts VI
the Union"
A DREAM.
Translated from the German by w. G.
Doering.
After long spell of sickness I was
sitting, for the first time, at the window
of my room. The ringing of the church
bells reminded me of the Lords day. 1
wished to 60 to Gods house; this was
impossible. 1 opened the sacred page, I
closed my eyes, and in thought watched
those who were walking to the chapel.
Suddenly methought I was at the
chapel door, an unseen hand held me
back. I felt the presence of a majestic
being. l heard, "Child of man, Gods
mercy saved you from death; stop, think
before you enter, how often your inatten.
tion has desecrated these walls. Consid.
er the privilege of communion with God F.;
do not force God to deprive you of that
which you do not prize"
Feeling guilty, I cast down my eyes
and heard that voice again, II am the
angel who collects the prayers of the
saints, and presents them before Gods
throne. Come, I will teach you how to
distinguish prayers which are accepted
from those which are not" We entered
the church; before US was the worship.
ing congregation.
Remember" remarked the angel, "all
the unspoken real heart.prayers will seem
to you as uttered in loud voice. When
the attention flags, and the thoughts com.
mence to wander, you will notice the
voices losing in volume till not a sound
will strike your ear, should they even try
to pray at the top of their voices"
How strange! The organist is playing
at the full strength Of the organ. | hear
not note. The service opens. I hear
only faint murmur, every members
lips move, and all seem attentive. In
many pews the silence of the grave
reigns, a few hearts only voice their
thanks to God. The paid choir, the best
quartet in the city, arise to sing an an
them; not one chord comes to my listen.
ing ear, I see only the open mouths.
Hark I hear 8 child's clear voice pray
ing, "Our Father" l look at his folded
hands, his closed eyes. The angel opens
his book and writes, "Out of the mouth
of babes and sucklings thou has perfected
praise"
Gods servant reads the twenty-fourth
chapter of Mathew. During the reading
poorly clad man steps IN. His atten-
ton is attracted he listens, he listens
solemnly. he covers his face and cries
out: "What will my doom be? God
have mercy on me moor sinner" His
words thunder in my ear, they drown the
preachers voice, no one else heard him.
Now and then I hear deyout, earnest,
Christian voices, then long intervals of
silence. Where, where are their
thoughts?
care you astonished ?" questioned the
angel. 81 will give you the power of
hearing thoughts
heard confused noises, sound as of
many waters. The congregation outward.
ly appears devout. I hear many voices
speaking at the same time. For some
time it was impossible to distinguish the
individual words. Listen 'Is it not
shame," thought one sister; "Mrs. Black
is always late. What bad example.
Thank God, I am always punctual."
Mrs. Black takes seat, and looks around:
cha, another new bonnet. / can't see
how she can afford it. She has not paid
for it I'm sure. Even if my daughters
don't dress so much, we pay our debts"
"Hello there is Charles f." thinks
young man; che is commencing to be
pious. I wonder how long it will last"
Yonder sits a merchant thinking of his
profits, another calculates his possible
losses. I notice q couple whose heart
voices I had heard distinctly during the
opening sevices, now the hearts are silent.
They are engaged to be married. Slowly,
unconsciously the young man forgets
Gods house, his eyes glance towards the
face of his beloved. "How good she is"
speaks his thought, "how attentive. L
am thankful that I gained her love-"
The young woman feels his eyes on her,
her attention is distracted, she COM
mences, Chow he loves me! Even in
Church he can't forget my presence"
Suddenly, she stops, she prays to God to
drive away the thoughts of things
earthly.
As the sermon grew in length the
thought.talk on worldly subjects in
creased. One man is composing letter.
Another recalls conversation, and con-
siders how he might have expressed him.
self in more efectual manner. Young
men glance around at the young maidens
and think of them. Young ladies dwell
in thought on the last time they saw
their lovers, and long for the next visit.
Saving housewives figure expenses. One
sister concludes to dismiss her maid.
Another settles back with satisfaction;
she knows how to trim her dress. Many
think of husbands and children. How |
wished to arouse the thoughts, how my
heart ached. Are there none who are
conscious of Gods house? JOY! I see
tears of penitence, tears of thankfulness
steal down some cheek. I notice fright
at wandering thoughts bringing some
back to devout attention.
Among the six hundred present the
real worshippers were few in number.
glance at the recording angels tablets,
only a few God.thoughts had he noted.
He turned to me, GAS these have done,
so have you; mend your ways" He
disappeared. I awoke.- Western Christ
ian Aduocatc.
Selling Eggs by Weight.