Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-09-09
THE THREE FORMS.

oPoh my eyes, anu Ouoy WOlC
strengthened, so that I saw clearly
the entire surface of the plain.
l saw that many forms were crossing
the plain and they all moved in the
same direction. The side of the plain
from which they came was enveloped
in white mist, from which other
forms constantly emerged; the side
of the plain to which they travelled
was covered by dark cloud, into
which they constantly passed and dis
appeared.
The Angel said: stThe plain is the
world.''
Then the Angel laid his hand
upon my eyes again, and I saw yet
more clearly. I saw that the forms
which came forth from the mist were
as little children; when they reached
full stature; they passed into the dark
cloud bent and feeble. But all the
forms were alike; neither man nor
woman could I distinguish.
The Angel said: "These are the
shadows of souls, rot Of bodies"
And I said to the Angel: ''There are
so many forms, can see none clear
ly."
The Angel answered: 'Look now
straight before you. Three souls come
forth from the mist together. Let
your eyes rest upon Them"
And I saw three little children come
forth from the mist, hand in hand; the
form of one was shadowy gray, and
one was black, and one was white.
Each child had a tiny cross bound
upon his back; but the crosses were
very small, and the children did not
appear to feel their weight. The little
children did not at once start upon
their journey across the plain, but ran
hither and thither, plucking the
flowers with which that edge of the
plain was covered; but even in their
play they gradually left the soft, white
mist, and soon passed beyond the
little space where the flowers bloomed.
Then l noticed that the three forms
were no longer as children, but were
already entering into manhood, and
now they paused, as if they dreaded
to cross the barren space between
them. But suddenly there sprang up,
at a short distance in front of each, a
single scarlet flower, and when the
Forms saw the scarlet flowers they
hesitated no longer.
The Gray Form ran quickly up to
his flower; but when he glanced at it
he passed by, as if it were little worth.
And when he had passed, the flower
faded and fell to the ground.
The Black Form stretched out his
hand and plucked his flower eagerly;
then, tearing it asunder and crushing
a portion in each hand, he fastened
on his way across the plain.
The White Form approached his
flower slowly, reverently; even when
it seemed within his grasp, he stayed
his hand, and stood as if in awe beside
the scarlet bloom. Then the petals
fell, one by one, and on the stem APP
peared golden fruit. Gathering the
fruit still reverently, the White Form
went joyfully upon his way.
The Angel said: ssThe scarlet flower
is Love-"
And I saw that as the Forms passed
across the plain they increased in sta
ture; but the crosses which were
l,or,6 1,oo, +boro iporoocod in ciza
even more rapidly, SO that they be-
came very burdensome. But the Gray
Form bore himself erect, and took no
notice of the burden; while the Black
Form stopped once, as if in pain, and
tried to loosen the cords with which
his cross was bound, but vainly. Then
he bowed his head meekly and went
upon his way; not quite erect, but
with steadfast tread. And whenever
he looked upon the golden fruit in his
hand the cross seemed to grow less
heavy; till by and by he scarcely ap-
peared to feel it's weight at all.
The Angel said: "The cross is human
nature"
And now I saw that the Black Form
fell often, for the ground beneath his
feet was slippery and wet, and red as
with blood. Then I saw that from his
hands, in which he still held the
crushed petals of the scarlet flower,
there fell constant scarlet stream.
The Angel said s'He has made of
Love a thing accursed.''
And presently the Forms began to
draw near to the dark cloud on the
other side of the plain.
AS they went upon their way, saw
that many other souls turned toward
the White Form; and presently one
him and laid a little cross