The National tribune., 1894-04-12

It was in the sweet Summer time. and along
the smooth. broad highways. lined by hedges
of blossoming thorn aud blackberry bushes,
bands of earnest travellers were walking with
doHucaSt faces.
All around rose yerdaut mountain meadows,
climbing upward 10 the flaming naples. And
the naples waved their ted banners 10 the
pines standing sentinel on the muuataln-tops,
and the mountains were bathed 10 the blue air
of heaven, and over all the blessed sun was
shining But they saw nothing oil these, and
kept their eyes on the ground and passed on.
Now and then they gere conscious ct some
Door soul who had fallen by the wayside, or
some friendless child lost in the passing throng,
but they paid no heed 10 their cries Tor help,
and were too int.Ht on their high guest to so
much as see the al iect creatures - DO turned
their diving ewes upou them. For ihey sought
the City Beautiful, aud their hearts were set
unOn the wonders they should behold when
they had passed the jasper walls and walked
the golden streets Of that fair city of God.
By and by they saw confronting mountain
ranges mount up before them, and Il seemed That
their road must end abruptly, or lead through
a deep valley and over the mouBtan-top.
There the road swerved TO the left and as they
Turned a sudden bend they found themselves
in deep cove aud looking mp !or The first
time they saw before tn M far mp nj The end
of a mighty canyon, the massive towers aud
domes and minarets OF the City Beautiful. And
their hearts stood still for JOY, ana they
clasped their hands in ardent alteration, and
Toasted their eyes on the marvellous vision.
Then they took courage and ran forward.
The bed of the intervening canyon lay below
them, but the mountain torrents were at their
lowest ebb and only a tiny stream was at their
feet gurgling among the powders. One brave
effort, they thought and they would rest their
souls in the City Beautiful.
IL, fla haH Of h.n
torrent and up the gloomy canyon. tangled now
and then in the lush grasses, now stumbling
and falling over a fallen pine trunk, but ever
turning their eyes 10 the domes and spires OF
the City Beautiful looming up beyond them.
But it seemed that rs they went the golden
city retreated farther and farther from their
view, and now the canyon suddenly broke off
and they found themselves in chill high mead
ows and there was not so much pat hway
and they knew not where to 60. And the snow
began TO fall heavily, and they shivercd and,
cried with very fear and terror.
But when the night began to fall and they
would have persisted they saw shepherd
coming toward them. and his staff was in his
hand. And he bent a plying eye upon Them
and he said: Z" " therefore, seek you here the
City Beautiful? It lies at the other side of tie
valley aud the vision you saw was but mirage
leading you on TO your destruction"
And they said TO him: Tell rs, then, how
We may find the City Beautiful"
Then he led them from the mountain meadow
and down the dark canyon aud over the dry
bed OF the mountain torrent and around the
bend of the mountain, aud set them again Ola
the broad highway. And be said:
Look up. the City Beautiful lies all around
you. But only to those who are tender Of heart
and loving of spirit are its infinite wonders
revealed. And again, l say, look up
And they looked up. and the eyes which had
Jeen only the hard highway were filled with
the wonders of the beautiful world around
them. And they leasted their ill upon the
bloom and beauty and majesty of the infinite
wonders of creation.
And when their hearts were elevated with a
glimpse of celestial teauty, the shepherd said
TO them:
Look down. For behold beside the high
way the messengers from the City Beau
tiful. But they cannot rise and let you in until
you have placed your hands ia theirs and given
them food and drink. and soothed their paugs
with the amounting oil of human compassion"
And they looked down Aud their hearts
we're strangely thrilled within them. And in
the giving of all sweet necessities they forgot
the sluring vision OF the City Beautiful. And
10. the rags of the beggars shone like the snow
in the Winter sunshine, and the children gath
cred around them with wings like bright
eherubs. and upon their eyes laid their soft
hands as If in blessing.
But when they would have talked with the
shepherd he was gone hut rosy flush was in
all the air and new JOY was in their hearts,
and they said TO each other:
Come, let US return to our homes and dwell
joyfuily together" for they knew that the City
Beautiful was city not made with hands, and
that he who does the will Of God may even
here dwell at peace within its unseen habita-
tiOns.