The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-04-10
A DREAM.

1 had dream. The night was mis-
ty and weird. Soft, gray clouds did
scud across the sky every now and
then. they obscure,l the light Of the
full orbed moon. l stood at the edge
of the damp, willow forests that forms
the east boundary of Lake Providence.
Tall tree shadows, trembled athwart
the water. A spirit not unlike the
Magi of the East, looked down into
the waves. His eyes were grave and
sorrowful, with yet an expression OF
hope in them. His black mantle was
blown around him by the bitter, chill
night wind.
A bridge of stone arose from out the
depths of the water, and extended from
end to end of the lake. The gray
arches on which it rested were low and
thick and broad. The Spirit took my
hand. Together we walked on the
bridge. Look you my child" he said,
Sat these old cypress trees gnarled
bare and covered with the gray moss of
our Southland. They flourish only
near the water. They are strange.
dramatic figures in the landscape.
They are not crowded. Each one pre-
serves its individuality. Each one is
strong and tragic. They are like an
chorites that stand upon the bank ard
shoal of time, and always look down
into the still waters of contemplation.
The gray moss is their scourge OF
chords. Their roots strike deep, deep,
into the depths Ct the earth. and endure
from generation TO generation. So the
silent stern lives Of these old monks
strike deep into the soil Of the worlds
thought, and their manuscripts illum-
mated in the monasteries of bleak
Germany; their paintings executed on
the refcctory walls Of Rome, their
Miseres and re Dcums sung in under
ground catacombs long ages ago. still
strengthen the hearts of meu."
The spirit of Wisdom lifted his eyes
to the cloud-swept sky. then did bend
the N on the lake beneath us. ''These
Clouds he said, "will swell the vol
ume of this water and cause it to en-
large it's boundary, but the lake is sup
piled chiefly from springs beneath its
surface. Likewise the soul of each
human being is modified by the events
of life, which Heaven pours into its
depths. but it is chiefly fed by he springs
of heredity-hidden springs that men
know not Of" We neared the end of
the bridge. The clouds had gathered
in the South, leaving the rest of the
sky blue and clear as sea becalmed.
They rested upon the horizon and
assumed the form of Gothic cathe-
dral. The forest of spires that covered
the roof were linned against the back
ground of the midnight heavens. The
belfry was surmounted by black
cross, like the cross of Calvary"
We stood in front of the middle and
tallest pointed arch-door of the great
cathedral. The spirit bowed his head
in abject humility. ut is the house OF
Cod" he said.
An angel in white clustering raiment
guarded the entrance. His wings
were folded. .His face was like a
chisled prayer" A star, brighter than
any in the vast heavens shone upon his
forehead. 1t was the seal of lover.
awakened. Cloud cathedral. stone
bridge and strange Spirit of Wisdom
vanished. But the pictures had taught,
their lesson. The contemplation OF
nature leads to the church OF God, but
the Angel of Love alone, admits one to
enter its sanctuary.