The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30
This PAGE is Devoted to the Interests Of Manchester

Sometimes they only bring the recollcc-
tici OF a wayslIe scene, with the suniish1
KIN i,uon II. or a bunch OF wild ho"ers
SIN fresh and fair. and then, Ike the
poet.
MY heart with pleasure nils, .
And dances with the daffodils"
Suddenly the story OF Abou Ben Al
hem stands before me Ike fair PIC
ture. and the freight falls upon It IN
lingering. loving way, a. on the race
OF dear old friend. whom Il Is glad 70
welcome.
I doubt very much n Leigh Hunt ever
fully realized what a sermon he was
giving us IN this little oriental tale, told
SO simply AMI So beautifully. What a
mighty lesson &c brings to our hearts II
we will only listen 10 its teachings.
I'm the stiffness Of The night, when the
whole world was wrapt in siumber' Ben
Adhem awoke suddenly. as one is apt
20 when s0meth ng unIsual occurs. ana
saw an angel seated IN the moonlight
writing in a book OK gold. the radiance OF
whose holy presence made the pale moon
lirht "rich Ike q lyly in bloom" Think
of The beauty OF the vision Which met
Ben Adhem's startled eycsi And yet the
exceeding peace which filled his heart
made IL seem quite natural that NJ
Should receive THIS heavenly visitor as
a friend and ask the simple question:
'Nhat Writesi thouT'
And the vislln with n look made or
an sweet accord" answered. "The names
or those who love the lord" Tncn
Abou asked. somewhat eagerly, and
4. nine oneg" and when the angel am
swcrad sadly, NAY. not so" sweet hui
m.ity made Abou speak, as with a
bowed head but cheerily sun. not as one
east down. OF pray thee then, write me
as one who loves his fellow men,
This. then. was the exceeding peace
which filled his hoart-his love for his
fell0w-men; and ia hts innocence he liz
lie knew how near he was 20 the king
dom of Heaven.
The next night when the angel came
again. 90 was not with a golden glory
"like a lily i'm bloom" but with "a great
awakening light, which filled the room
with heavenly glory and showed the
names whom love OF God had blessed.
And 10. Ben Adhom's name led all the
rest"
Dear Ahou Rem Adhem. ~ YOU would
only dwell among us, rest hy our ircsidc
ami walk with ms among our fellow
men orr hearts would be less hard and
cold. and we would love more 20 cherish
and keep green the tender things of life
by loving charity. We would hold out
our hands 10 the weak and heal and bind
the broken hearted. We would not. as
the Levite, pass by on the other side.
but sfoop 20 those tender Offices OF
mercy which sooth and comfort the sur
fering poor We would remember that
ioaNes Of bread are oftentimes better
than tracts. and that 10 heal a disorder
ei mind we must first doctor the dis
eased body
An II we could only keep our hearts
fun of love for others we would never
GROW old. for. after an. love is the only
fountain OF youth It's banks are covered
with perpetual bloom for IFS waters are
living waters. and love is eternal. Ben
Adhems heart was first filed from this
crystal fountain before the mighty truth
came 20 him. that "He that l0veth not.
knoweth not God. for God is love"
The picture fades away, the room has
grown cold and the fire has burned 10
ashes. but the warmth at my heart
makes me feel as IL I have pressed tho
hand OF a friend and a chord Of SYM
pathy has been struck. which 1 hope Will
ylbrate for many a day.
O.. u. ROBERTSON