The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-03
THE BEAUTIFUL SINGER.
BY G. B CARTER.

THERE once lived in certain city in
a great Countrywide province of king
"a beautiful singer.
| Her voice was of no extraordinary
compass, but it was deemed very sweet,
and even that alone won for her many
friends. But it was not so much her
voice as her song, that endeared her to
the people. for every body loved her
and curiously enough she had but one
song of great signifcance-it was the
"The Song of Life.''
Now. strange as it may appear, the
more she sang the more the people
came to hear. Indeed they never tired
but came again and again, hoping at
last to discover the secret of her power
to sway their hearts and influence their
lives.
Moreover she sang to all; to the rich
no more than the poor. She knew no
classes. but believed that God had made
of zone blood all the nations of the
EARTH" Hence it was that the poor,
the unfortunate. the out-cast, heard her
gladly. The blind by the wayside
knew her footsteps and felt the light
sway of her garments as she approached.
The children, too-how they loved her!
Beautiful indeed it was to hear her sing
to them, and to note with what eager
and loving faces they listened to the
story of her song.
Neither were the aged forgotten or
neglected-for they who have entered
the vale of years need most of all SYM
pathY and love; and she who fails to
brighten their path has misconceived
the benefcence that springs from
discerning mind and loving heart.
But what thought the beautiful sing
er of herself? She was very happy,
doubtless, as the center Of such a null
titude of loving hearts. and yet it caused
her some misgivings. for in her sweet
humility she thought not of herself as
superior to others; and she feared lest
sooner or later her singing should pail
upon them. Still this was only in some
moment of depression, for she felt and
believed that the song upon her lips
was but the echo of one in her heart.
that should never be stilled until life
itself should fail.
Thus the years of her life passed by.
while more and more she grew in the
trust and affection of every one, until
her fame had extended far beyond the
bounds of her native city, was brought
to the notice of the king, and by his
royal edict she was summoned to cross
the sea-for her city was in one of the
provinces of which there were many-to
dwell in the city of the king. and there
to do his good pleasure, whether it
should be to serve or only to stand
and wait"
When the behest of the king became
known to his friends, there was pro-
found sadness in that country and many
declared she should not go; but others
said that as even the kings request is a
command, how much the more must an
imperative summons be regarded.
Quite undismayed. and regretful most
of all for those she must leave behind.
she gathered up her garments and pre-
pared to obey the royal mandate, saying
to her sorrowing friends. II know it is
grief indeed to you to hear my voice no
more, but do not be DISCONNECTED. since
it is but part of the kings plan that |
should go even as many more worthy
than have gone before. 1t occurs to me,
too, as have before mentioned to many
of you, that the song which has pleased
you so much should find it's utterance in
every soul, and that although my voice
will be silent here, yet the melody may
continue in your hearts and lives, grow.
ing in volume and sweetness. until haply
you too are called to join me beyond the
sea- in the city OF the King.
There remained then no alternative
but to prepare for the final voyage. and
it was done in such sadness that it
seemed more like house OF mourning
than the beginning of a journey that
should end in triumph. But before the
last adieus were spoken, a venerable
man arose and read from book concern.
ing the kings promises to those who
should be deemed worthy to serve in his
presence, and they we're many indeed
and excee ling precious. The voice of
them dated from the days of the patri-
archs, and were spoken by the seers and
prophets of remote ages; and so comfort
ing are they withal, that the voice thereof
never ceases in the earth, but is pro-
longed in every land and in every tongue.
and is thus born never ending anthem
| Of hone both day and night. from the