Year: 1859

say, when they plucked the blossoms
from the stems other blossoms instantly
appeared in their places = no stem was
ever left bare. AS the children sprang
over the mead, the flowers only bowed
their heads, and rose up brighter and
fresher, and sent out more exquisite
perfume at their infant touches.


And now the angel-girl, with gliding
step, drew near the bower and seated
herself on the messy throne. She lifted
her beautiful arm and took from the
branch of the tree on her right hand a
harp, cut out of single pearl, with
strings of silver and gold. The light
touch of her fingers drew forth such an
ecstatic sound that it thrilled through
the band of sporting children; with one
accord they turned their faces towards
her, flew to the bower, and gathered
themselves closely about her knees. The
white lamb followed them and laid down
softly at the angel-girl's feet.


AS her fingers ran through the silvery
strings, she sang the hymn Of the angels,
when the Savior was born-when the
stars shone in East, and the shepherds
watched their flock by night-"Glory to
God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will towards menw Her voice was
so soft and liquidly melodious that it
seemed but the speaking tone of the
golden and silver strings. AS she sang,
birds, with gorgeous plumage, lit upon
the trees that formed her bower--and as
she paused, they warbled a chorus. When
she resumed her hymn of praise, they
joyfully Auttered their brilliant wings,
and it seemed as though a sparkling
shower of gems was rained into the
balmy air.


Then the angel laid down her harp
and the children caressed her. and re-
sumed their sports with greater gladness
than ever. She sat still in her bower,
but watched them with loving eyes
Very soon they returned to her, as though
they were weary of feeling her so dis
tant from them. Then she spoke to them
tenderly-but it was in angelic language,
which has a softer, more flowing sound
than any human tongue. She told them
of the Savior upon earth-the earth from
which they came-and that he was once
a little child on that earth himself-and
and that he had taken little children
in his arms and blessed them, and said
to his disciples, "Suffer little children to
come unto me, and forbid them not, for
such is the kingdom Of heaven"


AS he spoke, the children looked up,
and saw rainbow arching itself over
the garden, and their hearts were filed
with delight they appeared to under.
stand something as they gazed on that
heavenly bow, that 1 cannot explain.


Suddenly the angel paused and said -
"Harkm - then turned her face toward
one side of the garden, where beheld
golden gate. Beside the gate stood
an angel of wondrous lovelincss--she
seemed to be watching. And now she
opened the gate, and as it flew back, it
gave forth a sound of Joy and triumph.
Beyond the gate there was dense mist,
and in the distance, through the dark
way, appeared a third angel, leading
child-a timid, bewildered little girl.


AS they passed the gate, the flowers
all flashed with new brightness, and
breathcd out sweetcr fragrance-the
trees seemed to bend their boughs, hung
with jewel-like fruit, as though they in
vited the new guest to pluck them-the
bright. .plumaged birds sent forth one
long note Of glad greeting, and the face
of the angel girl in the bower shone like
the morning star


The angel that led the little child was
beautiful but in her countenance there
was serious sweetness, as though she had
gazed on the sorrows of others until it
had cast a shadow on her angelic beauti-
tude.


"Her dress seemed wove Of lily leaves,


1t was so pure and fine"


and all about her there was a strange
whiteness She was an Angel Of Death.
As she drew near, recognized the little
girl-it was Clara, whom l had seen ly-
ing on her couch, SO wan and i'll that
Christmas morning! Clara, as she enter
ed the garden, looked around joyfully,
and her step grew quicker and lighter.
The Angel of Death led her to the sister
angel, sitting in the bower. She folded
her arms around Clara and pressed her
to her bosom with loving welcome, and
Clara felt as though she knew her, and
her kiss seemed just like the fond kiss Of
her own dear mother.


Then Clara turned to group Of happy
children, who received her as companion.
They embraced her in turn, and it seemed
to her as if she had long known and loved
them all, Then the little lamb leaped up
against her, and she caressed II and
stroked its snowy wool. Soon the chill
dren led her away to show her their gar
den. l could not hear what they said,
but the sound Of their joyous laughter
came to me, and i knew Clara's voice
above the others-She never laughed so
happily upon the earth. i saw her new
new companions take her to the lovely
lake. Upon its crystal waters grew Ill
lies even larger than the Victorid Regia Of
which you have heard that upon its leaves
a child can stand securely.


AS the children came to the edge Of
the lake the lilies hoated towards them
and touched the shore. Then some of the
little ones put out their tiny, white feet
into theIlilly-cup, all among the quivering,
yellow stamens, and sat down in the