The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-02-18

Then kneeling at her mothers knee,
and after repeating familiar words she
added: " God keep my papa in heaven,
and my mamma, and my grammer, and
my new friend. Amen" The "new
friend" was Melinda.
The young mother returned from the
bedroom with a few small parcels.
They were bright ball and few 9TH
er cheap articles. Grandma went out
of the room and was gone some time.
When she came in again she had a
bowl filled with snowy popcorn, three
beautiful red apples and bag of nuts.
And as she placed them near the stock
ings, she paused for moment, and
with delight said: 1T seems to me
there's doll in the old blue chest up
stairs. Fetch the candle along, Sarah,
and let's see." The doll was found,
and with her own hands grandma put
it in the stocking with it's head above
the top.
Next morning shouts and laughs of
JOY arose from the old sitting room, at
an early hour, which ruined grandma's
last nap. Soon there was quick pat
ter of little feet in grandma's room.
Then came these words: Grammer,
oh, see, see, grammer !" Then gram
mer" must kiss the doll, eat some of
the white corn, before the happy child
would leave the now happy grandma,
and be dressed.
1t was bright Christmas morning.
The merry child was filling the old
house with the music of it's love and
happiness. She had won the friend
ship of all therein. Melinda, as she
went about her work, sang Hark
from the tombs," with tones of jubilee,
having no regard for the sentiment,
only the joy attuned in her own faith
full soul.
Just as the Christmas twilight was
falling over the earth, the child tired
yet happy, held up her arms and then
said: "Grammer, you dear old gram
mer, can't l get up into your lap ?''
Grandma lifted her up, and as she
got her placed and rocked, a new light
shone in her eyes, and made the wrink-
les of her face appear pleasant.
After a moments quietness she
spoke, saying: "Sarah, I'll take your
child and do for her as 1 would for my
own, if you'll let me. And, Sarah, come
home often. L know 1 haint done as ]
should, but if the Lord will forgive me,
I'll try to make amends"
" Hallelooyer :" came in loud, joyous
tones from one in the kitchen.
The young mother overjoyed melted
into tears, crossed the room and kiss.
ing the forehead of Mrs. Ketcham said:
"Thank you, mother; my cup runneth
over with gratitude, love and prayer
That, readers, in spirit is the rainbow
land L wished we all lived in m ore than
we do. 1t may in its beauty and glory
be in our hearts, in our homes, even
where we toll for daily bread, and il
will turn lowering day into one of sun.
shine, and make the world mora like
heaven in which human angels dwell.
Yes, more of such rainbow land in
the realm of the human, and we will
no longer need to sing of eternal joys
away in the future, in kingdom only
known beyond the dark portals OF
death. They will be ever present with
us and our daily walk in holy company
with the heavenly, the spiritual and the
divine.
In this way rainbow land need not BE-
altogether an ideal realm not wholly a
pictured kingdom, but a reality to hui
man hearts. No longer a dream of gold
or of golden streets where human foot
steps never go or humanity make re.
search.
Where, then, is this mystic land
Did John of old behold it only in visioni
And are his glowing words concerning
it only those of fancy expressed in
ecstacy? Is the glory of that realm tc
be in walking through "pearly gates y
on golden Streets" or in basking in
eternal sunshine on the banks of " sill
yer streams 2" In playing upon "harps
of gold forever in tune ? In wearing
=" starry crowns" and in singing rap
turous psalms to Gods praise ?
1t must be far more than all that.
Its love and patience its goodness and
fidelity; its friendships and consecra-
tions, may be ours. For many human
souls have felt its power and spirit. 1t
has made their verse the hope song of
the millions. Others realizing its pres
ence have echoed it around the earth as
the comforting heart faith of mankind.
Affirmed, that there none are to be for
over disconsolate, but the recipients of
a Fathers perpetual blessedness and
unchanging love.
George d. Prentice gave the world
these gem thoughts. They are express
i've of the rainbow land abiding in his
own soul when written
60 Whv ia If that tho rainboy, md ~ -