Year: 1864




He is often near you, said the friend
and consoler. Though invisible to nat
ural eyes, he is present with you in spir-
it.


But the mourner shook her head sor-
rowfully, answering:


IF present, he gives no sign. 1 do not
hear his voice, though I listen, longing
for the sound, all day and through many
hours in the night watches. He does not
visit me even in dreams. As a vessel go
ing down in mid ocean, he has vanished
from my sight; and strain my vision as I
will, not even a glimpse of him comes to
my aching eyes


Perhaps they are too full Of tears,
said the friend. When our eyes are wet
we see dimly. He may be standing at
your side nov, unperceived because Of a
binding veil, and asking to be recogniz-
ed. His love is not changed by death.
0, my friend! let me ask of you this
question-Are the garments of your soul
as bridal garments for your beloved one?
Or have you veilcd yourself in funereal
gloon? Are you making yourself lovely
for your beloved or hiding yourself from
him under a pail? May it not be that
his spirit Is searching for your spirit, and
cannot Gud you because you have put on
an aspect he does not know?'


Would he have me glad at my loss?'
answered the bereayed one, e,~almost with
indignation at the thought Would he
have me put on the garments of JOY, as If
his presence had been a burden and his
! departure a release?'
Heaven is not a place ofsOrrow. There
is no gloom there


Nc, thank Godr answered the mour.
ner. No, thank Godr she repeated
8 He had pain and sickness here, and he
had sorrows that touched him deeply
But he has peace, and comfort, and glad
ness of heart now


You believe this?'


'Assuredly.'


And pleasure is born Of the thought?


'Yes--O, yes.


And you would not mar his joy?


IF my will and word were potent,
would increase it a hundred fold


How did it affect him when thing
troubled you2 Was he cheerful wher
you were under a cloud; when rain fel
into your lifeP


My pulse beat to his pulse, quickly
or slowly. The shadows that came dark
Iy over me touched him also. He wa
wet with the rain that fell into my life.


How would it affect him if he we're t
be present with you as you are now
Could he, in fact, be present and contin
ue in that heavenly state of which yO1
spoke?


A look Of startled surprise came int
the mourner's face.


What is the meaning of these ques
tions?' she asked


Does not your own thought sugges
the meaning?


The bereayed one dropped her eyes
and sat in silence for long time. He
friend did not speak, during the interva
an intruding word.


There is something strangely real
all this, said the mourner.
The shadow was not so heavy on he
face.


1T is only on real things that the sol
can rest. Vague fancies but perple'
Faith builds on reason. If there is an
presence with me of my beloved who hi
a put of the garments of flesh, it must
: an inner and spiritual presence. NJ
5 state of mind must be perceived and feI
and it must attract or repel as it is
> agreement or disagreement. II I wou
have this beloved one ever near me,


must clothe my spirit in the garments
y Christian cheerfulncss. Imust cUltiva


heavenly virtues As he cannot descel
ID earthward, I, if I would keep him by n
side ynust oscand baaveuvard 7 do n