Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-26

missing.
Of all the youth in Jerusalem, Alb
ner and Caleb were the comeliest lads,
and their friendship had grown into a
proverb. Close companions at school
from boyhood to early manhood, no
love could have been more tender, no
sympathy more profound, than that
which made them kindred spirits.
They were fond of the same pleas
ures, they shared the same dreams,
their studies and occupations were
alike, their aspirations identical. They
loved to give free rein to their fancies
with youths rapt enthusiasm and
build such dream palaces that the
magic splendor of Solomon's creations
paled in comparison. What a daring
architect is youth! 1t knows not the
impossible. 1t bridges the chasm of
infinite time; it rears a structure TO
the highest heaven. 1t summons to
its aid principalities and powers, and
never acknowledges defeat. Love
aud hope and faith are the patient
genii who at its exultanG bidding
transforms earth and sky.
Among the topics which Abner and
Caleb were fond Of discussing as they
grew to maturity the future life and
immortality appealed to them most
strongly. The fact that it was but
dimly foreshadowed in the law and
the prophets added to its fascination,
and the rare references to it in the de-
bates of the schools only increased its
hold upon them. One day, in the
heat of their arguments, Caleb, more
|impassioned than usual, had seized his
companions hand.
"Abner," he exclaimed, "wouldst
thou know the secrets of eternal life ?"
"Why, Caleb" Abner rejoined, NOV
ed by his friends earnestness, "what
strange question to ask. How can
we mortals understand aught of i'm
mortality? Does not our law say
that the secret things belong to the
Lord p"
"Faith can pierce all barriers, dear
friend" Caleb answered, impressively,
''and love, though buried from sight,
can make its own revelation"
"What dost thou mean, Caleb, by
those mysterious words and thrilling
tones ?" Abner inquired, deeply stirred,
for he felt that never before had their
conversation been so earnest.
"Dost thou not believe, Abner, in
Immortality ?"
"Surely, Caleb, do, as the central
conviction of my nature"
"If this is thy belief, then, may not
the immortal spirit seek converse with
mortality and minister to the wants
and desires of mortal flesh on earth p
"Caleb, thou shouldst not speak in
this strain. 1t is almost blasphemy.
Think of the fate of the sons of Aaron
who brought strange fire into the
sanctuary !"
"Nay, Abner, 1 am guilty of no bias,
phemy. 1 am convinced that those
who pass from life do not become as
petrlfied as the slabs that cover them.
They hover around those who loved
them and whom they loved on earth
and mingle in their joys and sorrows"
at must be so, Caleb, if thou think
est So" said Abner after pause.
"Come, Abner," Caleb solemnly ex-
claimed, "let us swear by the eternal
that if either of US die the survivor
shall seek to communicate with the
departed one and visit the sepulcher al
the moment of his highest happiness
on earth. Then it is my fervent belief
that the secret of heavenly happiness
will be unfolded, and we shall attain
the highest degree of intelligence"
The compact was made-an unusual
thing in those days among the pious
Jewish youth-and the conversation
ended. In a few years Caleb died,
and Abner, disconsolate and detected,
disdained for a while all society, but
spent the largest share of his leisure
at the friends grave, rejecting on his
genial traits and their loving inter
course. Time, however, works its
magical changes, and now he had mar
ried.