The Press., 1886-01-28
Contributed,
 SLEEP.

1 call myself strong and healthy and lose no time in courtiug sleep. l do not find it necessary to "repeat the multipli- .cation table backward, ' or count m imag- mary flock of sheep, as they disappear over an imaginary wall. Neither am | compelled to patronizs Mother Goose, Mrs. Candle, or Josiah Aliens Wife, in order to induce somnolence. But no sooner do lie down and close my eyes than the gate into the Gland of Nod'' is thrown open, and away go. But with -jerk that rouses again my surrenderiug senses, waken to-aight and commiserate myself for the weakness of possessing s'nerves." In semi-drowsing state, liken myself to a violin whose strings rebel against the high tension, and sud denly recoil. ...s
 But do not like to think that I am nervous so l try to account fOr that quick convulsive twitch in some other way. Can it be that l have incipient heart disease? I vaguely wonder. And IT remember the violent exercise that so often sends the blood galloping through my veins. Can it be, that thls exercise which seems to supply me with so much animation and vigor, is really wearing out Iprematurely myirespiratory organs? Per- haps I am hand upon my heart in ire quently expecting such rapid pulsations. The will says "Tnis talk must be done in just so toag." The heart obeys. Now when aCiW surrenders itself q willing vic tim to Morpheus,-when the t!yrdnt aCitl abdicates it's throne for few hours, must the heart then seek to average its work by sudden cessation ? And when circula- tion commences again, does It thus shake me by way of warning and punishment nf hoo iy died. Her pulse was always a marvel to the doctors. It often missed one or more beats The irregnlarity increased till one day she folded her hands across her breast, as if she knew that her work was 1 finished, and the heart throbs ceased for ever. Suppose that will sometime be my fate ? What am doing that makes lie l worth living Am doing faithfully the duties that lie nearest me? Am I COT quering "the. lihle foxes that spoil the vines ?' An ! low. elusive they are l. these small failipgs of which am con- scious, and which determine agaln aud again to conquer. But what does deter, imitation amount to? It certainly Is nOt as efficient deterrent as 1t should be- ! Daytimes arc too busy for serions thought
 but now I see myself spiritually weak and vacillating. Tbe world perhaps thinks me as free from faults as many others 1 Perhaps so :; I do not know. It IS enough for me to see my own frailties dancing II triumph before me, and feel myself unable Sto subdue them. l am discouraged. Emust appeal to higher power. Bu
 some say there IS no God-no future What is there to show that there Is tl eau at least offer that poor dOubting littl' prayer, 70 God-if there is God--sav
 novy sOnl if have q SOul t'
 Now q verse which have often heart my mother sing comes to my mind:
 I can but perish if go
 ' I am resolved to try.
 And I pray-'Iord, my strength 1 tint
 but weakness. Give me strength divine Thine is the power. Thine shall be tn :; glory. Each night yield to a mysteriou power, called sleep. It deprives me c consciousness and am unable to protec
 myself. This night I trust myself t Thee, And I sleep.
 When I. waken find that have slep several hours. I>have lain perfectly stil apparently. There is no perceptibl
 change in the position of the counterpanC . But have had wonderful dream, whic
 has taken my mind into three differen if. states and even across the Atlantic. Tn will has been resting with the body, bu
 the mind has shown itself independent o
 both. Suppose the body had neve walked ? Would not the mind still hay
 been free
 must believe there is somcthing in mortal about me--that this frail body
 but its tenement which requires frequen
 repairs. When like m old house it tot
 ters and falls, believe there will be m
 other tenement prepared. Why not building of God, not made with hands
 eternal in the heavens
 LEoNA IDA MONTE.