The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-11-29
A DREAM OF MOTHER.
BY WILL A. RICE.

Worn out with toll and glad the day was done
sought repose beneath q sugar tree,
Where oft before, when weary, had won
That peace and rest known ONLY to the free.
Though warm, It was a lovely summer night,
The worlds above shone out in full array,
10 deck the skies with their celestial hgnt,
And sparkle In the meadows dewy spray.
The moon was full, and poured its mellow glow
In silent foods, on forest, plain and sea,
And sent the shadows creeping to and fro,
Like phantoms, over the mountain, main
and lea.
Hither thither. by ftful flames pursued,
The nshtnins-ougs went diving through I'M
The AT companions Of the solitude
That seemed to reign unbroken everywhere.
Watched the scene, rejecting on It's charms,
Forgetting not the changes time had wrought
Until NV soul, embraced In slumber's arms, .
Was borne beyond the realms OF earni!
Thought.
On dreamland's shores, o bnssful conse
Ny soul beheld scene SURPRISING fair,
scene in which saw full recompense
To one who had surmounted death and care.
Long had that soul been bound with morts
OFT had 1t drank the bitter cup of woe;
And still remained pure as the driven snow.
For years and years it struggled on the earth,
Besiseed By every phase Of grief and pain,
Which proudly spurns all impulse to com
plain.
The tempter w.rred upon its humble life,
And rained his shafts against iss sh'eio nk'
But, true TO Christ it triumphed through th'
wthstanding all who dared it's faith asssr.
Armed with the truth and duty's dauntles'
might,
It stood unawed against all evil rule,
And proved itself q victor in the fight
The peer Of the saints of the martyr school.
Its warfare DER, it's domicile Of clay
While straight above the spirit made it's way
To ito happy home In the house OF God.
Now, In my dream, I saw it reach the gate
Where chosen saints are ever kept on guard
But here, thank God, 1t had not long to walt,
For soon the way in welcome was unbarred.
The portals passed, mid strains OF harp aud
That spirit stood beneath fair heavens DOME
Surrounded by q bright seraphic throng,
Who came to greet it to It's final home.
Embraced and kissed by each and every one
OF oil that host. it knelt before the throne
From which the streams Of life imm ortal run.
And where the Lamb receives and crowns Hii
own.
The seraphs praised, when Jesus spoke ane
said:
Il find In thee q servant undefled;
Behold thy crown, receive 1t on thy head.
And wear It as becomes thy savior's child;
mo more shalt thou strive In that world Of woe
Where thou hast borne the sooffer's cruel rod,
Fut thou shalt drink where founts OF Joy flow,
And feast upon the blessings OF thy God
Now crowned and blest, and robed in spotless
white,
That soul was numbered with the saints above,
And took its place amid the seraphs bright,
To shine forever like star Of love.
Ihe Judgment past. then rang the blended
OF harps and Tyres, and tongues OF sacred
nirth,
In praise of Him who was 30 rudely slain,
That all through Him might have immortal
birth
Buoh was the dream that beheld that night,
And shall hope and pray to see another
Like It, except to never leave my sight,
For twas dream Of my darling mother.
: LEXINGTON, Tenn.