The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-05-04
OUR KALEIDOSCOPE.
Deacon Bell.

 For protection against the cold and the frost;
 locality where
 The suphurous air Is filled with the walls Of the damned and lost Now Deacon Jonathan Baihe Bell Much comfort took in his thoughts of hell. A place where the wicked should be Basted and boiled in a molten Of fire and birthstone. pitch and tar:
 But the deacon had been
 So guiltless of Sn Heaven gate for him must stand wide ajar. He reasoned with vigor and consummate skill To show that his God mersifu still, the curse pronounced on the race That but one in a million should gaze Ills face And he prated his creed at territ le pace
 The vicarious plan
 or salvation for man Was the best of all schemes for saving the race. AlAs for the deacon, poor human ciod With hS orthodox creed 'twixt himself and hts God His vision WAS blinded by tenets SO stern And he ne'er felt his sanctined bosom to burn With emotions of love and pity for men.
 Hut regarded them all-
 The great and the small As beings less favored than he had Ter been. One morning fin spring came the angel Of Death Who touched the good deacon-the touch stllled h
 breath And waited him over the nebulous tide Which separates this from the heavenly side Where the deacon. awakened. sat rubbing his eyes.
 And scarcely could find
 In his wIdered mind The words to express his intense surprise. For looking about him on every hand. There burst on his vision beauteous land: umbrageous forests. wide vistas of flowers, The paShing of fountains in Shadowy bowers. Low hills, verdant valleys and mirroring streams
 And myriad throngs
 Whose heavenly songs We're sweet to his ear as the music of dreams In deep contemplation he saw with despair St Peter approach with preoccupied air. The deacon addressed him and timidly said, "I pray, sir, inform me-I'm just from the dead And yet quite unable 10 walk or to stand.
 And everything here
 Is so startling and queer Have really come tO the heavenly land?" At sight of the stranger old St. Peter drowned. Then seating himself hlIlOck of ground, And crossing his legs in the Orient style And strokng his silvery whiskers the while. He answered in syllAbles gentle and bland:
 How could you err,
 My very good air? Yes. this is, indeed, the heavenly land" But, answered the Deacon as yet in some doubt "One thing there Is here that cannot make out; I see here about me a number, indeed. Who should. by the teachings of my earthly creed. Have never been counted with me of the blest;
 But they're with you, see,
 Sin-fetterlesS. free. Wand'ring at will in this haven of rest" St. Peter replied. with smile partly sad. Your pardon. kind sir. but permit me to add That although you now in the heavenly land, And will meet with surprises every hand Think mol that your vision has cOmpassed it all
 For you first appear
 In this primal sphere Where a soul walk it must learn to crawl. Then, hrs it IS better that you. sir should know That your greatest mistake in the world below Was strict adherence to a an-made creed, While 10 Natures teachings you gave no heed. Had you studied her works-and among them Man
 You could not have erred
 Tn the inspired word And saving of souls by vicarious plan" He paused for moment. ReSuming he spoke: The acorn. in time, becomes the great oak; Majestic in strength, the pride of the wood monarch in grandeur, servant in good. So, the child. to the age of maturity grown,
 May achieve for his name
 Milton's great fame, 0rf hoer Frnwn aNth-