WHEN she changed worlds, and before the time, what was she toothers? A small old, delicate woman. What was she to us? Aradiant, smiling angel, upon whose brow the sunshine of the eternalworld had fallen. We looked into her large, tender eyes, and saw notas others did, that her mortal garment had waxed old and feeble; orif we saw, this, it was no symbol of decay, for beyond and within,we recognised her in all her beauty. Oh! how heavy and bitterwould have been her long and slow decline, if we had seen her growold instead of young! The days that hastened to give her birth intoeternity, grow brighter and brighter, until when memory wanderedback, it had no experiences so sweet as those through which she waspassing. The long life, with its youthful romance, its prosaiccares, its quiet sunshine, and deep tragedies, was culminating toits earthly close; and, like some blessed story that appeals to theheart in its great pathos, the end was drawing, near, all cloudswere rolling away, and she was stepping forth into the brilliance ofprosperity. Selfishness ceased to weep under the light of hercheerful glance, and grew to be congratulation.
Beside her couch wesat, and traced with loving fancy the new life soon to open beforeher; with tears and smiles we traced it. Doubts never mingled, forfrom earliest childhood we had no memories of her inconsistent withthe expectations of a Christian. Deep in our souls there laygratitude that her morning drew near; beautiful and amazing itseemed that she would never more bow to the stroke of the chastener;fresh courage descended from on high, as we realized that there wasan end to suffering; it was difficult to credit that her disciplinewas nearly over; how brief it had been, compared with the gloriousexistence it had won her. How passing sweet were her assurances thatshe should leave us awhile longer on earth with childlike trust,knowing that our own souls needed to stay, and that the destiny ofothers needed it! But the future seemed very near to her, and shesaw us gathered around her in her everlasting home. She grew weaker,and said her last words to us. Throughout the last day she said butlittle, but often. her tender eyes were riveted upon us; they said"Farewell! farewell!" In the hush of the chamber, a faint,eolian-like strain came from her dying lips; it sounded as if itcame from afar; then the angels were taking her to theircompanionship. She softly fell asleep, resigning her worn-out bodyto us, and she entered heaven. Ah! do we apprehend what a gloriousevent it is for the "pure in heart" to die? We look upon the bride'sbeauty, and see in the vista before her, anguish and tears, and buttransient sunshine. The beauty fades, the splendour of life declinesto the worldly eyes that gaze upon her. Deaf and blind are suchgazers, for the bride may daily be winning imperishable beauty, yetit is not for this world. A most sad and melancholy thing it seemswhen children of a larger growth judge their parents by their frailand decaying bodies, rather than by their spirits. And more deeplysad still is it, when the aged learn through the young to feel thatthe freshness of existence has gone by with them. Gone by? when theyare waiting to be born into a new and vast existence that shall rollon in increasing majesty, and never reach an end! Gone by? when theyhave just entered life, as it were! The glory and sweetness ofliving is going by only with those who are turning away theirfaces from the Prince of Peace. Sweet mother! she is breathingvernal airs now, and with every breath a spring-like life and joyare wafted through her being. Mother beautiful and beloved! somesweet, embryo joy fills the chambers of my heart as I contemplatethe scenes with which she is becoming familiar. Dead and drearywinter robes the earth, and autumn leaves lie under the snow likepast hopes; but what of them? I see only the smile of God'ssunshine. I see in the advancing future, love and peace--onlyinfinite peace!
THE END.
* * * * * * * * * * * *