Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-02-17

TO the sleep Of
death The gladdest moment is some
times filled Unexpectedly with the
crushing burden of sorrow. To the lips
which have just been vibrant with the
joyous song may be pressed the bitter
cup Of anguish Upon the life which
has never known aught but peace and
purity and happiness there may tall,
like lightning out of clear sky, the
weight of sudden disaster, or heart
breaking tragedy. 1t is the perfect calm
which often is the prelude to the wild
notes of the mad tempest
Such, man has learned, are the expert
ences which earth brings unbidden into
the life And in Heaven once, at least,
did the angels know such experience
Once in Heaven Gods will was broken.
Once the perfect peace which filled the
blssful realm was shattered by the roar
of battle once the quiet industry Of
the busy place was interrupted by the
call to arms, and the martial tread OF the
angelic hosts once once at least, as
Gods sacred record tells us, the govern
ment of Heaven was torn by awful re-
bellion. and upon the Celestial plains
was waged the fercest conflict of the
ages.
Gabriel, the Archangel, who "standeth
in the presence of God" and rules over
the regions about the palace, was busy
directing the preparations for the con-
ference which was to be held that day
with Satan. the Archangel of the dis
tant province and Michael, the Arch
angel of the province which lay between.
At last all is in readiness, and word
is brought by a swift messenger that
Michael and his retinue have entered
Gabriel's province and are coming
towards the palace Quickly the Arch
angel Gabriel summons his attendants
and in stately splendor goes forth to
meet them Glad welcome is spoken and
the music Of the attendant choir fills the
air.
In the name of the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit greet thee, and welcome
thee 10 the Palace of the Secret Pres
ence. May thy coming be TO the honor
and glory of God, and fruitful in His
service" said Gabriel, as he embraced
Michael. But where is the Archangel
Satan?' he quickly added, as he noted
that he was not in the company.
Il know not" replied Michael, save
that he sent word at the last moment
and while was awaiting his coming
to make the journey with him-that he
was detained, and that should proceed
without him. The messenger whom he
sent seemed either unwilling or unable
to answer the questions l put to him,
and | could not discover the nature Of
the business which detained him, nor
just how soon he would follow"
Thus in earnest conversation Gabriel
and Michael and the attendant angels
proceeded, and entered the spacious
wing of the great Palace where Gabriel
held court and conducted the affairs OF
his province.
And while they are waiting, let US
see what is transpiring in the distant
province.
That something unusual is on foot
there is at once apparent. The hurrying
angels, as they speed in excited groups
towards the mansion Of Satan; the whis-
pered conversation and averted glance,
as though they feared the listening ear
or the observing eye of some unwelcome
foe the feverish haste OF Satan's spe-
cial emissaries as they go hither and
thither amidst the hosts Of the angels
already gathered; the atmosphere of
suppressed emotion and brooding pas
sion which enveloped the place, all
spoke too plainly of some momentous
event about TO transpire.
Near the entrance to the mansion
there stands a group Of angels who at a
glance Ii Is seen are of superior rank
Satans close confidants and advisers
They are evidently talking over the ex-
periehces of the past few days while
they wait the coming of their chief, the
archangel. Satan, for one is overheard
to say:
1T was no easy task for me TO win the
angels OF my division over to the prof.
ect. but ! note with satisfaction that
they are all here to-day, and TO Judge
from their looks and their words the
seeds Of rebellion which | sowed have
taken deep root" and the speaker
ehuckled in a self-satisfed way.
"Yes," spoke up another, ut took
much deceitful insinuation and many
lies TO destroy the influence Of the Son
In my division, but I was we'll fortified
with these by our chief, and succeeded
quite TO my satisfaction, and to his. too,
am sure, for all are here and eager to
enlist under hh banner"