,intra ,muros ,by ,,rebecca ,,ruter ,,springer ,,david ,c4 ,,cook ,,publishing ,,co4 ,,elgin1 ,,illinois ,copyright1 #ahih1 ,by ,david ,c4 ,cook ,publishing ,co4 ,elgin1 ,illinois4 ,,author',s ,,preface4 ,the pages of this little volume contain no fancy sketch1 written to while away an idle hour2 but are the true1 though greatly condensed1 record of an experience during days when life hung in the balance between ,time and ,eternity1 with the scales dipping decidedly toward the ,eternity side4 ,i am painfully aware of the fact that ,i can never paint for others the scenes as they appeared to me during those wonderful days4 ,if ,i can only dimly show the close linking of the two lives--the mortal with the divine--as they then appeared to me1 ,i may be able to partly tear the veil from the death we so dread1 and show it to be only an open door into a new and beautiful phase of the life we now live4 ,if any of the scenes depicted should seem irreverent in view of our religious training here1 ,i can only say1 ,i give it as it came to me4 ,in those strange1 happy hours the close blending of the two lives1 so wrapped about with the ,father's watchful care and tender love2 the reunion of friends1 with the dear earth-ties unchanged2 the satisfied desires1 the glad surprises and the divine joys1 all intensified and illumined by the reverence and love and adoration that all hearts gave to the blessed ,trinity1 appeared to me the most perfect revelation of that blessed life of which here we so fondly dream4 ,with the hope that it may comfort and uplift some who read1 even as it then did1 and as its memory ever will do1 for me1 ,i submit this imperfect sketch of a most perfect vision4 ,r4,r4,s4 ,shall we stop at that poor line1 the grave1 which all our ,christianity is always trying to wipe out and make nothing of1 and which we always insist on widening into a great gulf8 ,shall we not stretch our thought beyond1 and feel the life-blood of this holy church1 this living body of ,christ1 pulsing out into the saints who are living there1 and coming back throbbing with tidings of their glorious and sympathetic life8 --,rt4 ,rev4 ,phillips ,brooks1 ,d4 ,d4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,when the holy angels meet us1 ,as we go to join their band1 ,shall we know the friends that greet us1 ,in the glorious spirit-land8 ,shall we see the same eyes shining ,on us1 as in days of yore8 ,shall we feel their dear arms twining ,fondly 'round us as before8 ,shall we know each other there8 --,rev4 ,r4 ,lowry4 ,i was many hundred miles away from home and friends1 and had been very ill for many weeks4 ,i was entirely among strangers1 and my only attendant1 though of a kindly disposition1 knew nothing whatever of the duties of the sick room2 hence ,i had none of the many delicate attentions that keep up an invalid's failing strength4 ,i had taken no nourishment of any kind for nearly three weeks1 scarcely even water1 and was greatly reduced in both flesh and strength1 and consciousness seemed at times to wholly desert me4 ,i had an unutterable longing for the presence of my dear distant ones2 for the gentle touch of beloved hands1 and whispered words of love and courage2 but they never came--they could not4 ,responsible duties1 that ,i felt must not be neglected1 kept these dear ones much of the time in distant scenes1 and ,i would not recall them4 ,i lay in a large1 comfortable room1 on the second floor of a house in ,kentville4 ,the bed stood in a recess at one end of the apartment1 and from this recess a large stained-glass window opened upon a veranda fronting on the street4 ,during much of my illness ,i lay with my face to this window1 and my back to the room2 and ,i remember thinking how easy it would be to pass through the window to the veranda1 if one so desired4 ,when the longing for the loved distant faces and voices became more than ,i could bear1 ,i prayed that the dear ,christ would help me to realize his blessed presence2 and that since the beloved ones of earth could not minister to me1 ,i might feel the influence of the other dear ones who are all ministering spirits4 ,especially did ,i ask to be sustained should ,i indeed be called to pass through the dark waters alone4 ,it was no idle prayer1 and the response came swiftly1 speedily4 ,all anxieties and cares slipped away from me1 as a worn-out garment1 and peace1 ,christ's peace1 enfolded me4 ,i was willing to wait ,god's time for the coming of those so dear to me1 and said to myself1 more than once1 ,if not here1 it will be there2 there is no fear of disappointment there4 ,in those wonderful days of agonized suffering1 and great peace1 ,i felt that ,i had truly found1 as never before1 the refuge of the ,everlasting ,arms4 ,they lifted me2 they upbore me2 they enfolded me2 and ,i rested in them1 as a tired child upon its mother's bosom4 ,one morning1 dark and cold and stormy1 after a day and night of intense suffering1 ,i seemed to be standing on the floor by the bed1 in front of the stained-glass window4 ,some one was standing by me1 and1 when ,i looked up1 ,i saw it was my husband's favorite brother1 who ,crossed the flood many years ago4 ,my dear brother ,frank6 ,i cried out joyously1 how good of you to come6 ,it was a great joy to me that ,i could do so1 little sister1 he said gently4 ,shall we go now8 and he drew me toward the window4 ,i turned my head and looked back into the room that somehow ,i felt ,i was about to leave forever4 ,it was in its usual good order3 a cheery1 pretty room4 ,the attendant sat by the stove at the farther end1 comfortably reading a newspaper2 and on the bed1 turned toward the window1 lay a white1 still form1 with the shadow of a smile on the poor1 worn face4 ,my brother drew me gently1 and ,i yielded1 passing with him through the window1 out on the veranda1 and from thence1 in some unaccountable way1 down to the street4 ,there ,i paused and said earnestly3 ,i cannot leave ,will and our dear boy4 ,they are not here1 dear1 but hundreds of miles away1 he answered4 ,yes1 ,i know1 but they will be here4 ,oh1 ,frank1 they will need me--let me stay6 ,i pleaded4 ,would it not be better if ,i brought you back a little later--after they come8 he said1 with a kind smile4 ,would you surely do so8 ,i asked4 ,most certainly1 if you desire it4 ,you are worn out with the long suffering1 and a little rest will give you new strength4 ,i felt that he was right1 said so in a few words1 and we started slowly up the street4 ,he had drawn my hand within his arm1 and endeavored to interest me1 as we walked4 ,but my heart clung to the dear ones whom ,i felt ,i was not to see again on earth1 and several times ,i stopped and looked wistfully back the way we had come4 ,he was very patient and gentle with me1 waiting always till ,i was ready to proceed again2 but at last my hesitation became so great that he said pleasantly3 ,you are so weak ,i think ,i had better carry you2 and without waiting for a reply1 he stooped and lifted me in his arms1 as though ,i had been a little child2 and1 like a child1 ,i yielded1 resting my head upon his shoulder1 and laying my arm about his neck4 ,i felt so safe1 so content1 to be thus in his care4 ,it seemed so sweet1 after the long1 lonely struggle1 to have some one assume the responsibility of caring thus tenderly for me4 ,he walked on with firm1 swift steps1 and ,i think ,i must have slept2 for the next ,i knew1 ,i was sitting in a sheltered nook1 made by flowering shrubs1 upon the softest and most beautiful turf of grass1 thickly studded with fragrant flowers1 many of them the flowers ,i had known and loved on earth4 ,i remember noticing heliotrope1 violets1 lilies of the valley1 and mignonette1 with many others of like nature wholly unfamiliar to me4 ,but even in that first moment ,i observed how perfect in its way was every plant and flower4 ,for instance1 the heliotrope1 which with us often runs into long1 ragged sprays1 there grew upon short1 smooth stems1 and each leaf was perfect and smooth and glossy1 instead of being rough and coarse-looking2 and the flowers peeped up from the deep grass1 so like velvet1 with sweet1 happy faces1 as though inviting the admiration one could not withhold4 ,and what a scene was that on which ,i looked as ,i rested upon this soft1 fragrant cushion1 secluded and yet not hidden6 ,away1 away--far beyond the limit of my vision1 ,i well knew--stretched this wonderful sward of perfect grass and flowers2 and out of it grew equally wonderful trees1 whose drooping branches were laden with exquisite blossoms and fruits of many kinds4 ,i found myself thinking of ,st4 ,john's vision in the ,isle of ,patmos1 and the tree of life that grew in the midst of the garden1 bearing twelve manner of fruits1 and whose leaves were for the healing of the nations4 ,beneath the trees1 in many happy groups1 were little children1 laughing and playing1 running hither and thither in their joy1 and catching in their tiny hands the bright-winged birds that flitted in and out among them1 as though sharing in their sports1 as they doubtless were4 ,all through the grounds1 older people were walking1 sometimes in groups1 sometimes by twos1 sometimes alone1 but all with an air of peacefulness and happiness that made itself felt by even me1 a stranger4 ,all were in spotless white1 though many wore about them or carried in their hands clusters of beautiful flowers4 ,as ,i looked upon their happy faces and their spotless robes1 again ,i thought1 ,these are they who have washed their robes1 and made them white in the blood of the ,lamb4 ,look where ,i would1 ,i saw1 half hidden by the trees1 elegant and beautiful houses of strangely attractive architecture1 that ,i felt must be the homes of the happy inhabitants of this enchanted place4 ,i caught glimpses of sparkling fountains in many directions1 and close to my retreat flowed a river1 with placid breast and water clear as crystal4 ,the walks that ran in many directions through the grounds appeared to me to be1 and ,i afterward found were1 of pearl1 spotless and pure1 bordered on either side by narrow streams of pellucid water1 running over stones of gold4 ,the one thought that fastened itself upon me as ,i looked1 breathless and speechless1 upon this scene1 was ,purity1 purity6 ,no shadow of dust2 no taint of decay on fruit or flower2 everything perfect1 everything pure4 ,the grass and flowers looked as though fresh-washed by summer showers1 and not a single blade was any color but the brightest green4 ,the air was soft and balmy1 though invigorating2 and instead of sunlight there was a golden and rosy glory everywhere2 something like the afterglow of a ,southern sunset in midsummer4 ,as ,i drew in my breath with a short1 quick gasp of delight1 ,i heard my brother1 who was standing beside me1 say softly1 ,well8 and1 looking up1 ,i discovered that he was watching me with keen enjoyment4 ,i had1 in my great surprise and delight1 wholly forgotten his presence4 ,recalled to myself by his question1 ,i faltered3 ,oh1 ,frank1 that ,i-- when such an overpowering sense of ,god's goodness and my own unworthiness swept over me that ,i dropped my face into my hands1 and burst into uncontrollable and very human weeping4 ,ah6 said my brother1 in a tone of self-reproach1 ,i am inconsiderate4 ,and lifting me gently to my feet1 he said1 ,come1 ,i want to show you the river4 ,when we reached the brink of the river1 but a few steps distant1 ,i found that the lovely sward ran even to the water's edge1 and in some places ,i saw the flowers blooming placidly down in the depths1 among the many-colored pebbles with which the entire bed of the river was lined4 ,i want you to see these beautiful stones1 said my brother1 stepping into the water and urging me to do the same4 ,i drew back timidly1 saying1 ,i fear it is cold4 ,not in the least1 he said1 with a reassuring smile4 ,come4 ,just as ,i am8 ,i said1 glancing down at my lovely robe1 which1 to my great joy1 ,i found was similar to those of the dwellers in that happy place4 ,just as you are1 with another reassuring smile4 ,thus encouraged1 ,i1 too1 stepped into the gently flowing river1 and to my great surprise found the water1 in both temperature and density1 almost identical with the air4 ,deeper and deeper grew the stream as we passed on1 until ,i felt the soft1 sweet ripples playing about my throat4 ,as ,i stopped1 my brother said1 ,a little farther still4 ,it will go over my head1 ,i expostulated4 ,well1 and what then8 ,i cannot breathe under the water--,i will suffocate4 ,an amused twinkle came into his eyes1 though he said soberly enough1 ,we do not do those things here4 ,i realized the absurdity of my position1 and with a happy laugh said1 ,all right2 come on1 and plunged headlong into the bright water1 which soon bubbled and rippled several feet above my head4 ,to my surprise and delight1 ,i found ,i could not only breathe1 but laugh and talk1 see and hear1 as naturally under the water as above it4 ,i sat down in the midst of the many-colored pebbles1 and filled my hands with them1 as a child would have done4 ,my brother lay down upon them1 as he would have done on the green sward1 and laughed and talked joyously with me4 ,do this1 he said1 rubbing his hands over his face1 and running his fingers through his dark hair4 ,i did as he told me1 and the sensation was delightful4 ,i threw back my loose sleeves and rubbed my arms1 then my throat1 and again thrust my fingers through my long1 loose hair1 thinking at the time what a tangle it would be in when ,i left the water4 ,then the thought came1 as we at last arose to return1 ,what are we to do for towels8 for the earth-thoughts still clung to me2 and ,i wondered1 too1 if the lovely robe was not entirely spoiled4 ,but behold1 as we neared the shore and my head once more emerged from the water1 the moment the air struck my face and hair ,i realized that ,i would need no towel or brush4 ,my flesh1 my hair1 and even my beautiful garments1 were soft and dry as before the water touched them4 ,the material out of which my robe was fashioned was unlike anything that ,i had ever seen4 ,it was soft and light and shone with a faint luster1 reminding me more of silk crepe than anything ,i could recall1 only infinitely more beautiful4 ,it fell about me in soft1 graceful folds1 which the water seemed to have rendered even more lustrous than before4 ,what marvelous water6 ,what wonderful air6 ,i said to my brother1 as we again stepped upon the flowery sward ,are all the rivers here like this one8 ,not just the same1 but similar1 he replied4 ,we walked on a few steps1 and then ,i turned and looked back at the shining river flowing on tranquilly4 ,frank1 what has that water done for me8 ,i said4 ,i feel as though ,i could fly4 ,he looked at me with earnest1 tender eyes1 as he answered gently1 ,it has washed away the last of the earth-life1 and fitted you for the new life upon which you have entered4 ,it is divine6 ,i whispered1 ,yes1 it is divine1 he said4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,o ,city of ,peace6 in thy palaces fair ,loved faces and forms we can see2 ,and sweet voices float to us thro' the calm air ,that whisper1 ,we're watching for thee6 ,we walked on for some distance in silence1 my heart wrestling with the thoughts of the new1 strange life1 my eyes drinking in fresh beauty at every step4 ,the houses1 as we approached and passed them1 seemed wondrously beautiful to me4 ,they were built of the finest marbles1 encircled by broad verandas1 the roofs or domes supported by massive or delicate pillars or columns2 and winding steps led down to the pearl and golden walks4 ,the style of the architecture was unlike anything ,i had ever seen1 and the flowers and vines that grew luxuriantly everywhere surpassed in beauty even those of my brightest dreams4 ,happy faces looked out from these columned walls1 and happy voices rang upon the clear air1 from many a celestial home4 ,frank1 where are we going8 at length ,i asked4 ,home1 little sister1 he answered tenderly4 ,home8 ,have we a home1 my brother8 ,is it anything like these8 ,i asked1 with a wild desire in my heart to cry out for joy4 ,come and see1 was his only answer1 as he turned into a side path leading toward an exquisitely beautiful house whose columns of very light gray marble shone through the green of the overhanging trees with most inviting beauty4 ,before ,i could join him1 ,i heard a well-remembered voice saying close beside me3 ,i just had to be the first to bid you welcome6 and looking around1 ,i saw the dearly-beloved face of my old-time friend1 ,mrs4 ,wickham4 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,i cried1 as we met in a warm embrace4 ,you will forgive me1 ,col4 ,sprague1 she said a moment later1 giving her hand cordially to my brother4 ,it seems unpardonable to intercept you thus1 in almost the first hour1 but ,i heard that she was coming1 and ,i could not wait4 ,but now that ,i have looked upon her face1 and heard her dear voice1 ,i will be patient till ,i can have her for a long1 long talk4 ,you must come in and see her now1 said my brother cordially4 ,do1 do come6 ,i urged4 ,no1 dear friends1 not now4 ,you know1 dear little ,blossom1 7the old pet name for me years ago7 we have all eternity before us6 ,but you will bring her to me soon1 ,col4 ,sprague8 she said4 ,just as soon as ,i may1 dear madam1 he replied1 with an expressive look into her eyes4 ,yes1 ,i understand1 she said softly1 with a sympathetic glance at me4 ,then with a warm hand-clasp1 and the parting injunction1 ,come very soon1 she passed swiftly out of my sight4 ,blessed woman6 ,i said1 what a joy to meet her again6 ,her home is not far away2 you can often see her4 ,she is indeed a lovely woman4 ,now1 come1 little sister1 ,i long to give you welcome to our home1 saying which1 he took my hand and led me up the low steps on to the broad veranda1 with its beautiful inlaid floor of rare and costly marbles1 and its massive columns of gray1 between which1 vines covered with rich1 glossy leaves of green were intermingled with flowers of exquisite color and delicate perfume hanging in heavy festoons4 ,we paused a moment here1 that ,i might see the charming view presented on every side4 ,it is heavenly6 ,i said4 ,it is heavenly1 he answered4 ,it could not be otherwise4 ,i smiled my acknowledgment of this truth--my heart was too full for words4 ,the entire house1 both below and above1 is surrounded by these broad verandas4 ,but come within4 ,he led me through a doorway1 between the marble columns1 into a large reception hall1 whose inlaid floor1 mullioned window1 and broad1 low stairway at the far end1 at once held my fancy4 ,before ,i could speak1 my brother turned to me1 and1 taking both my hands1 said3 ,welcome1 a thousand welcomes1 dearest sister1 to your heavenly home6 ,is this beautiful place indeed to be my home8 ,i asked1 as well as my emotion would allow4 ,yes1 dear1 he replied4 ,i built it for you and my brother1 and ,i assure you it has been a labor of love4 ,it is your home1 and ,i am to stay with you8 ,i said1 a little confused4 ,no1 it is your home1 and ,i am to stay with you till my brother comes4 ,always1 dear brother1 always6 ,i cried1 clinging to his arm4 ,he smiled and said1 ,we will enjoy the present2 we never will be far apart again4 ,but come1 ,i am eager to show you all4 ,turning to the left1 he led me1 still through the beautiful marble columns that everywhere seemed substituted for doorways1 into a large1 oblong room1 upon whose threshold ,i stopped in wondering delight4 ,the entire walls and floor of the room were still of that exquisite light gray marble1 polished to the greatest luster2 but over walls and floors were strewn exquisite1 long-stemmed roses1 of every variety and color1 from the deepest crimson to the most delicate shades of pink and yellow4 ,come inside1 said my brother4 ,i do not wish to crush those perfect flowers1 ,i answered4 ,well1 then1 suppose we gather some of them4 ,i stooped to take one from the floor close to my feet1 when lo6 ,i found it was imbedded in the marble4 ,i tried another with the same astonishing result1 then turning to my brother1 ,i said3 ,what does it mean8 ,you surely do not tell me that none of these are natural flowers8 ,he nodded his head with a pleased smile1 then said3 ,this room has a history4 ,come in and sit with me here upon this window-seat1 where you can see the whole room1 and let me tell you about it4 ,i did as he desired1 and he continued3 ,one day as ,i was busily working upon the house1 a company of young people1 boys and girls1 came to the door1 and asked if they might enter4 ,i gladly gave assent1 and then one of them said3 ',is this house really for ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,sprague8' ',it is1' ,i answered4 ',we used to know and love them4 ,they are our friends1 and the friends of our parents1 and we want to know if we may not do something to help you make it beautiful8' ',indeed you may1' ,i said1 touched by the request4 ',what can you do8' ,we were here at the time1 and looking about1 one of them asked1 ',may we beautify this room8' ',undoubtedly1' ,i said1 wondering what they would try to do4 ,at once the girls1 all of whom had immense bunches of roses in their hands1 began to throw the flowers broadcast over the floor and against the walls4 ,wherever they struck the walls1 they1 to even my surprise1 remained1 as though in some way permanently attached4 ,when the roses had all been scattered1 the room looked just as it does now1 only the flowers were really fresh-gathered roses4 ,then the boys each produced a small case of delicate tools1 and in a moment all1 boys and girls1 were down upon the marble floor and busy at work4 ,how they did it ,i do not know--it is one of the celestial arts1 taught to those of highly artistic tastes--but they embedded each living flower just where and as it had fallen1 in the marble1 and preserved it as you see before you4 ,they came several times before the work was completed1 for the flowers do not wither here1 nor fade1 but were always fresh and perfect4 ,and such a merry1 happy company of young people1 ,i never saw before4 ,they laughed and chatted and sang1 as they worked2 and ,i could not help wishing more than once that the friends whom they had left mourning for them might look in upon this happy group1 and see how little cause they had for sorrow4 ,at last when all was complete1 they called me to see their work1 and ,i was not chary of my praises either for the beauty of the work or for their skill in performing it4 ,then1 saying they would be sure to return when either of you came1 they went away together1 to do something of the kind elsewhere1 ,i doubt not4 ,happy tears had been dropping upon my hands1 clasped idly in my lap1 during much of this narrative1 and now ,i asked half-brokenly1 for ,i was greatly touched3 ,who were these lovely people1 ,frank8 ,do you know them8 ,of course1 ,i know them now2 but they were all strangers to me till they came here that first morning1 except ,lulu ,sprague4 ,who are they8 ,there were three ,marys--,mary ,green1 ,mary ,bates1 ,mary ,chalmers2 ,lulu ,sprague and ,mae ,camden4 ,these were the girls1 each lovely and beautiful4 ,the boys1 all manly1 fine fellows1 were ,carroll ,ashland1 ,stanley and ,david ,chalmers4 ,precious children6 ,i said4 ,how little ,i thought my love for them1 in the olden days1 would ever bring to me this added happiness here6 ,how little we know of the links binding the two worlds6 ,ah1 yes6 said my brother1 that is just it4 ,how little we know6 ,if only we could realize while we are yet mortals1 that day by day we are building for eternity1 how different our lives in many ways would be6 ,every gentle word1 every generous thought1 every unselfish deed1 will become a pillar of eternal beauty in the life to come4 ,we cannot be selfish and unloving in one life1 and generous and loving in the next2 the two lives are too closely blended--one but a continuation of the other4 ,but come now to the library4 ,rising1 we crossed the room that henceforward was to hold for me such tender associations1 and entered the library4 ,it was a glorious apartment--the walls lined from ceiling to floor with rare and costly books4 ,a large1 stained-glass window opened upon the front veranda1 and two large bow-windows1 not far apart1 were in the back of the room4 ,a semicircular row of shelves1 supported by very delicate pillars of gray marble1 about six feet high1 extended some fifteen feet into the spacious main room and cut it into two sections lengthwise1 each with one of the bowed windows in the back1 leaving still a large space beyond the dividing line1 where the two sections united again into one4 ,the concave side of the semicircle of shelves was toward the entrance of the room2 and close to it1 not far removed from the bowed window1 stood a beautiful writing-desk1 with everything ready for use2 and upon it was a chaste golden bowl1 filled with scarlet carnations1 of whose spicy odor ,i had been dimly conscious for some time4 ,my brother's desk1 said ,frank4 ,and his favorite flowers1 ,i added4 ,yes1 that follows4 ,here we never forget the tastes and preferences of those we love4 ,it is not to be supposed that these details were at once noticed by me1 but they unfolded to me gradually as we lingered1 talking together4 ,my first sensation upon entering the room was genuine surprise at the sight of the books1 and my first words were3 ,why1 have we books in heaven8 ,why not8 asked my brother4 ,what strange ideas we mortals have of the pleasures and duties of this blessed life6 ,we seem to think that death of the body means an entire change to the soul4 ,but that is not the case1 by any means4 ,we bring to this life the same tastes1 the same desires1 the same knowledge1 we had before death4 ,if these were not sufficiently pure and good to form a part of this life1 then we ourselves may not enter4 ,what would be the use of our ofttimes long lives1 given to the pursuit of certain worthy and legitimate knowledge1 if at death it all counts as nothing1 and we begin this life on a wholly different line of thought and study8 ,no1 no2 would that all could understand1 as ,i said before1 that we are building for eternity during our earthly life6 ,the purer the thoughts1 the nobler the ambitions1 the loftier the aspirations1 the higher the rank we take among the hosts of heaven2 the more earnestly we follow the studies and duties in our life of probation1 the better fitted we shall be to carry them forward1 on and on to completion and perfection here4 ,but the books--who writes them8 ,are any of them books we knew and loved below8 ,undoubtedly1 many of them2 all1 indeed1 that in any way helped to elevate the human mind or immortal soul4 ,then1 many of the rarest minds in the earth-life1 upon entering on this higher life1 gain such elevated and extended views of the subjects that have been with them lifelong studies1 that1 pursuing them with zest1 they write out for the benefit of those less gifted1 the higher1 stronger views they have themselves acquired1 thus remaining leaders and teachers in this rarer life1 as they were while yet in the world4 ,is it to be expected that the great soul who has so recently joined our ranks1 whose ',changed ,life' and ',pax ,vobiscum' uplifted so many lives while on earth1 should lay his pen aside when his clear brain and great heart have read the mystery of the higher knowledge8 ,not so4 ,when he has conned his lessons well1 he will write them out for the benefit of others1 less gifted1 who must follow4 ,leaders there must always be1 in this divine life1 as in the former life--leaders and teachers in many varied lines of thought4 ,but all this knowledge will come to you simply and naturally as you grow into the new life4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,when ,i shall meet with those that ,i have loved1 ,clasp in my arms the dear ones long removed1 ,and find how faithful ,thou to me hast proved1 ,i shall be satisfied4 --,horatius ,bonar4 ,after a short rest in this lovely room among the books1 my brother took me through all the remaining rooms of the house2 each perfect and beautiful in its way1 and each distinctly and imperishably photographed upon my memory4 ,of only one other will ,i speak at this time4 ,as he drew aside the gauzy gray draperies1 lined with the most delicate shade of amber1 which hung before the columned doorway of a lovely room on the second floor of the house1 he said3 ,your own special place for rest and study4 ,the entire second story of the house1 indoors1 instead of being finished in gray marble1 as was the first floor1 was finished with inlaid woods of fine1 satiny texture and rare polish2 and the room we now entered was exquisite both in design and finish4 ,it was oblong in shape1 with a large bowed window at one end1 similar to those in the library1 a portion of which was directly beneath this room4 ,within this window1 on one side1 stood a writing desk of solid ivory1 with silver appointments2 and opposite was a case of well-filled bookshelves of the same material4 ,among the books ,i found afterward many of my favorite authors4 ,rich rugs1 silver-gray in color1 lay scattered over the floor1 and all the hangings in the room were of the same delicate hue and texture as those at the entrance4 ,the framework of the furniture was of ivory2 the upholstering of chairs and ottomans of silver-gray cloth1 with the finish of finest satin2 and the pillows and covering of the dainty couch were of the same4 ,a large bowl of wrought silver stood upon the table near the front window1 filled with pink and yellow roses1 whose fragrance filled the air2 and several rarely graceful vases also were filled with roses4 ,the entire apartment was beautiful beyond description2 but ,i had seen it many times before ,i was fully able to comprehend its perfect completeness4 ,only one picture hung upon the walls1 and that was a life-size portrait of the ,christ1 just opposite the couch4 ,it was not an artist's conception of the human ,christ1 bowed under the weight of the sins of the world1 nor yet the thorn-crowned head of the crucified ,savior of mankind2 but the likeness of the living ,master1 of ,christ the victorious1 of ,christ the crowned4 ,the wonderful eyes looked directly and tenderly into your own1 and the lips seemed to pronounce the benediction of peace4 ,the ineffable beauty of the divine face seemed to illumine the room with a holy light1 and ,i fell upon my knees and pressed my lips to the sandaled feet so truthfully portrayed upon the canvas1 while my heart cried1 ,master1 beloved ,master and ,savior6 ,it was long before ,i could fix my attention on anything else2 my whole being was full of adoration and thanksgiving for the great love that had guided me into this haven of rest1 this wonderful home of peace and joy4 ,after some time spent in this delightful place1 we passed through the open window on to the marble terrace4 ,a stairway of artistically finished marble wound gracefully down from this terrace to the lawn beneath the trees1 no pathway of any kind approaching at its foot--only the flowery turf4 ,the fruit-laden branches of the trees hung within easy reach from the terrace1 and ,i noticed as ,i stood there that morning seven varieties4 ,one kind resembled our fine ,bartlett pear1 only much larger1 and infinitely more delicious to the taste1 as ,i soon found4 ,another variety was in clusters1 the fruit also pear-shaped1 but smaller than the former1 and of a consistency and flavor similar to the finest frozen cream4 ,a third1 something like a banana in shape1 they called bread-fruit2 it was not unlike our dainty finger-rolls to the taste4 ,it seemed to me at the time1 and really proved to be so1 that in variety and excellence1 food for the most elegant repast was here provided without labor or care4 ,my brother gathered some of the different varieties and bade me try them4 ,i did so with much relish and refreshment4 ,once the rich juice from the pear-like fruit 7whose distinctive name ,i have forgotten1 if indeed ,i ever knew it17 ran out profusely over my hands and the front of my dress4 ,oh6 ,i cried1 ,i have ruined my dress1 ,i fear6 ,my brother laughed genially1 as he said1 ,show me the stains4 ,to my amazement not a spot could ,i find4 ,look at your hands1 he said4 ,i found them clean and fresh2 as though just from the bath4 ,what does it mean8 ,my hands were covered with the thick juice of the fruit4 ,simply1 he answered1 that no impurity can remain for an instant in this air4 ,nothing decays1 nothing tarnishes1 or in any way disfigures or mars the universal purity or beauty of the place4 ,as fast as the fruit ripens and falls1 all that is not immediately gathered at once evaporates1 not even the seed remaining4 ,i had noticed that no fruit lay beneath the trees--this1 then1 was the reason for it4 ',and there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiled61' ,i quoted thoughtfully4 ,yes1 even so1 he answered2 even so4 ,we descended the steps and again entered the flower-room4 ,as ,i stood once more admiring the inlaid roses1 my brother asked3 ,whom1 of all the friends you have in heaven1 do you most wish to see8 ,my father and mother1 ,i answered quickly4 ,he smiled so significantly that ,i hastily turned1 and there1 advancing up the long room to meet me1 ,i saw my dear father and mother1 and with them my youngest sister4 ,with a cry of joy1 ,i flew into my father's outstretched arms1 and heard1 with a thrill of joy1 his dear1 familiar ,my precious little daughter6 ,at last6 at last6 ,i cried1 clinging to him4 ,at last ,i have you again6 ,at last6 he echoed1 with a deep-drawn breath of joy4 ,then he resigned me to my dear mother1 and we were soon clasped in each other's embrace4 ,my precious mother6 ,my dear1 dear child6 we cried simultaneously2 and my sister enfolding us both in her arms1 exclaimed with a happy laugh1 ,i can not wait6 ,i will not be left outside6 and disengaging one arm1 ,i threw it about her into the happy circle of our united love4 ,oh1 what an hour was that6 ,i did not dream that even heaven could hold such joy4 ,after a time my brother1 who had shared our joy1 said3 ,now1 ,i can safely leave you for a few hours to this blessed reunion1 for ,i have other work before me4 ,yes1 said my father1 you must go4 ,we will with joy take charge of our dear child4 ,then for a brief while good-by1 said my brother kindly4 ,do not forget that rest1 especially to one but recently entered upon the new life1 is not only one of the pleasures1 but one of the duties of heaven4 ,yes1 we will see that she does not forget that1 said my father1 with a kindly smile and glance4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,o joys that are gone1 will you ever return ,to gladden our hearts as of yore8 ,will we find you awaiting us1 some happy morn1 ,when we drift to ,eternity's shore8 ,will dear eyes meet our own1 as in days that are past8 ,will we thrill at the touch of a hand8 ,o joys that are gone1 will we find you at last ,on the shores of that wonderful land8 ,soon after my brother's departure my mother said1 grasping my hand3 ,come1 ,i am eager to have you in our own home2 and we all passed out of the rear entrance1 walked a few hundred yards across the soft turf1 and entered a lovely home1 somewhat similar to our own1 yet still unlike it in many details4 ,it also was built of marble1 but darker than that of my brother's home4 ,every room spoke of modest refinement and cultivated taste1 and the home air about it was at once delightfully perceptible4 ,my father's study was on the second floor1 and the first thing ,i noticed on entering was the luxuriant branches and flowers of an old-fashioned hundred-leafed rose tree1 that covered the window by his desk4 ,ah6 ,i cried1 ,i can almost imagine myself in your old study at home1 when ,i look at that window4 ,is it not a reminder8 he said1 laughing happily4 ,i almost think sometimes it is the same dear old bush1 transplanted here4 ,and it is still your favorite flower8 ,i queried4 ,he nodded his head1 and said1 smiling3 ,i see you remember still the childhood days4 ,and he patted my cheek as ,i gathered a rose and fastened it upon his breast4 ,it seems to me this ought to be your home1 dear2 it is our father's home1 said my sister wistfully4 ,nay1 my father quickly interposed4 ,col4 ,sprague is her legitimate guardian and instructor4 ,it is a wise and admirable arrangement4 ,he is in every way the most suitable instructor she could possibly have4 ,our ,father never errs4 ,is not my brother's a lovely character8 ,i asked4 ,lovely indeed2 and he stands very near to the ,master4 ,few have a clearer knowledge of the ,divine ,will1 hence few are better fitted for instructors4 ,but ,i1 too1 have duties that call me for a time away4 ,how blessed to know there can never again be long separations6 ,you will have two homes now1 dear child--your own and ours4 ,yes1 yes6 ,i said4 ,i shall be here1 ,i suspect1 almost as much as there4 ,at this moment a swift messenger approached my father and spoke a few low words4 ,yes1 ,i shall go at once1 he replied1 and1 waving his hand in adieu1 departed with the angelic guide4 ,where do my father's duties mostly lie8 ,i asked my mother4 ,he is called usually to those who enter life with little preparation--that which on earth we call death-bed repentance4 ,you know what wonderful success he always had in winning souls to ,christ2 and these poor spirits need to be taught from the very beginning4 ,they enter the spirit-life in its lowest phase1 and it is your father's pleasant duty to lead them upward step by step4 ,he is devoted to his work and greatly beloved by those he thus helps4 ,he often allows me to accompany him and labor with him1 and that is such a pleasure to me6 ,and do you know--with an indescribable look of happiness--,i forget nothing now6 ,it had been her great burden1 for some years before her death1 that memory failed her sadly1 and ,i could understand and sympathize with her present delight4 ,dear heart6 ,i cried1 folding my arms tenderly about her1 then it is like the early years of your married life again8 ,precisely1 she answered joyously4 ,a little later my sister drew me tenderly aside and whispered1 ,tell me of my boy1 of my precious son4 ,i often see him2 but we are not permitted to know as much always of the earthly life as we once believed we should4 ,the ,father's tender wisdom metes out to us the knowledge he sees is best1 and we are content to wait his time for more4 ,all you can tell would not be denied me4 ,is he surely1 surely coming to me sometime8 ,shall ,i hold him again in my arms1 my darling boy8 ,i am sure--yes1 ,i am sure you will4 ,your memory is very precious to him4 ,then ,i told her all ,i could recall of the son with whom she had parted while he was but a child--now grown to man's estate1 honored and loved1 with home and wife and son to comfort and bless him4 ,then ,i can wait1 she said1 if he is sure to come to me at last1 when his earthly work is done1 bringing his wife and son4 ,how ,i shall love them1 too6 ,at this moment ,i felt myself encircled by tender arms1 and a hand was gently laid on my eyes4 ,who is it8 some one whispered softly4 ,oh1 ,i know the voice1 the touch6--dearest1 dearest ,nell6 ,i cried1 and1 turning quickly1 threw my arms about the neck of my only brother4 ,he gathered me a moment warmly to his heart1 then in his old-time playful way lifted me quite off my feet in his strong arms1 saying3 ,she has not grown an inch2 and is not1 ,i believe1 a day older than when we last parted6 ,is she1 ,joe8 turning to our sister4 ,it does not seem so1 said my sister1 but ,i thought she would never come4 ,trust her for that6 he said4 ,but come1 now2 they have had you long enough for the first visit2 the rest of us want you for awhile4 ,come with us1 ,jodie4 ,mother1 ,i may have them both for a little time1 may ,i not8 or will you come1 too8 turning to our mother with a caressing touch4 ,i cannot go1 dear boy2 ,i must be here when your father returns4 ,take your sisters2 it is a blessed sight to see you all again together4 ,come then1 he said2 and1 each taking one of my hands1 we went out together4 ,halt6 he suddenly called1 in his old-time military fashion1 after a short walk1 and we stopped abruptly in front of a dainty house built of the finest polished woods4 ,it was beautiful both in architecture and finish4 ,how lovely6 ,i cried2 and with a bow of charming humility he said3 ,the home of your humble servant4 ,enter4 ,i paused a moment on the wide veranda to examine a vine1 wreathed about the graceful columns of highly-polished wood1 and my brother laughingly said to my sister3 ,she is the same old ,sis6 ,we will not get much good out of her until she has learned the name of every flower1 vine and plant in heaven4 ,yes1 you will1 ,i said1 shaking my head at his happy face1 but ,i mean to utilize you whenever ,i can2 ,i have so much to learn4 ,so you shall1 dear1 he answered gently4 ,but come in4 ,stepping inside a lovely vestibule1 out of which opened1 from every side1 spacious rooms1 he called softly ,alma6 ,at once from one of these1 a fair woman approached us4 ,my dear child6 ,i said1 it does not seem possible6 ,you were but a child when ,i last saw you4 ,she is still her father's girl1 said my brother1 with a fond look4 ,she and ,carrie1 whom you never saw1 make a blessed home for me4 ,where is your sister1 daughter8 ,she is at the great music-hall4 ,she has a very rich voice that she is cultivating1 ,alma said1 turning to me4 ,we were going to find our aunt when she returned1 she added4 ,true1 true1 said my brother2 but come4 ,then they showed me the lovely home1 perfect and charming in every detail4 ,when we came out upon a side veranda1 ,i saw we were so near an adjoining house that we could easily step from one veranda to the other4 ,there6 said my brother1 lightly lifting me over the intervening space4 ,there is some one here you will wish to see4 ,before ,i could question him1 he led me through the columned doorway1 saying1 ,people in heaven are never 'not at home' to their friends4 ,the house we entered was almost identical in construction and finish with that of my brother ,nell1 and1 as we entered1 three persons came eagerly forward to greet me4 ,dear ,aunt ,gray6 ,i cried4 ,my dear ,mary--my dear ,martin6 ,what a joy to meet you again6 ,and here1 said my aunt reverently4 ,yes1 here1 ,i answered in like tone4 ,it was my father's sister1 always a favorite aunt1 with her son and his wife4 ,how we did talk and cling to one another1 and ask and answer questions6 ,pallas is also here1 and ,will1 but they have gone with ,carrie to the music hall1 said ,martin4 ,martin1 can you sing here8 ,i asked4 ,he always was trying to sing on earth1 but could not master a tune4 ,a little1 he answered1 with his old genial laugh and shrug2 we can do almost anything here that we really try to do4 ,you should hear him now1 cousin1 when he tries to sing1 said his wife1 with a little touch of pride in her voice4 ,you would not know it was ,martin4 ,but is it not nice to have ,dr4 ,nell so near us8 ,we are almost one household1 you see4 ,all felt that we must be together4 ,it is indeed1 ,i answered1 although you no longer need him in his professional capacity4 ,no1 thanks to the ,father2 but we need him quite as much in many other ways4 ,i rather think ,i am the one to be grateful1 said my brother4 ,but1 sister1 ,i promised ,frank that you should go to your own room awhile2 he thought it wise that you should be alone for a time4 ,shall we go now8 ,i am ready1 ,i answered1 though these delightful reunions leave no desire for rest4 ,how blessed1 said my aunt1 that there is no limit here to our mutual enjoyment6 ,we have nothing to dread1 nothing to fear4 ,we know at parting that we shall meet again4 ,we shall often see each other1 my child4 ,then my brother went with me to my own home1 and1 with a loving embrace1 left me at the door of my room4 ,once within1 ,i lay down upon my couch to think over the events of this wonderful day2 but1 looking upward at the divine face above me1 ,i forgot all else1 and1 ,christ's peace enfolding me like a mantle1 ,i became as one whom his mother comforteth4 ,while ,i lay in this blissful rest1 my brother ,frank returned1 and1 without rousing me1 bore me in his strong arms again to earth4 ,i did not know1 when he left us in our home1 upon what mission he was going1 though my father knew it was to return to my dear husband and accompany him upon his sad journey to his dead wife2 to comfort and sustain and strengthen him in those first lonely hours of sorrow4 ,they deemed it best1 for wise reasons1 that ,i should wait awhile before returning1 and taste the blessedness of the new life1 thus gaining strength for the trial before me4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,are they not all ministering spirits1 sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation8--,heb4 #a3 #ad4 ,how oft do they their silver bowers leave1 ,to come to succor us that succor want6 ,how oft do they with golden pinions cleave ,the flitting skyes1 like flying pursuivant1 ,against fowle feendes to ayd us militant6 ,they for us fight1 they watch1 and dewly ward1 ,and their bright squadrons round about us plant4 ,and all for love1 and nothing for reward2 ,o why should heavenly ,god to men have such regard6 --,edmund ,spenser4 ,when ,i aroused from my sleep it was in the gray light of earth's morning1 and ,i was standing on the doorstep of the house in ,kentville that my brother and ,i had left together1 some thirty-six hours before1 reckoned by earth-time4 ,i shuddered a little with a strange chill when ,i saw where we were1 and turned quickly to my brother ,frank1 who stood beside me4 ,he put his arm about me1 and with a reassuring smile1 said3 ,for their sakes be brave and strong1 and try to make them understand your blessed change4 ,i did not try to answer1 though ,i took heart1 and entered with him into the house4 ,everything was very quiet--no one seemed astir4 ,my brother softly opened a door immediately to the right of the entrance1 and motioned me to enter4 ,i did so1 and he closed it behind me1 remaining himself outside4 ,something stood in the center of the room1 and ,i soon discovered that it was a pall4 ,it was a great relief to me to see that it was not black1 but a soft shade of gray4 ,someone was kneeling beside it1 and as ,i slowly approached ,i saw it was my dear son4 ,he was kneeling upon one knee1 with his elbow resting on the other knee1 and his face buried in his hand4 ,one arm was thrown across the casket1 as though he were taking a last embrace of his little mother4 ,i saw that the form within the casket lay as though peacefully sleeping1 and was clad in silver gray1 with soft white folds about the neck and breast4 ,i was grateful that they had remembered my wishes so well4 ,i put my arms about the neck of my darling son1 and drew his head gently against my breast1 resting my cheek upon his bowed head4 ,then ,i whispered1 ,dearest1 ,i am here beside you--living1 breathing1 strong and well4 ,will you not turn to me1 instead of to that lifeless form in the casket8 ,it is only the worn-out tenement--,i am your living mother4 ,he lifted his head as though listening2 then1 laying his hand tenderly against the white face in the casket he whispered1 ,poor1 dear little mother6 and again dropped his face into both hands1 while his form shook with convulsive sobs4 ,as ,i strove to comfort him1 the door opened and his lovely girl-wife entered4 ,i turned to meet her as she came slowly towards us4 ,midway in the room we met1 and1 taking both her hands tenderly in mine1 ,i whispered1 ,comfort him1 darling girl1 as only you can2 he needs human love4 ,she paused a moment irresolutely1 looking directly into my eyes1 then passed on and knelt beside him1 laying her upturned face against his shoulder4 ,i saw his arm steal around her and draw her closely to him1 then ,i passed from the room1 feeling comforted that they were together4 ,outside the door ,i paused an instant1 then1 slowly ascending the stairs1 ,i entered the once familiar room1 whose door was standing ajar4 ,all remained as when ,i had left it1 save that no still form lay upon the white bed4 ,as ,i expected1 ,i found my precious husband in this room4 ,he sat near the bay window1 his arm resting upon the table1 and his eyes bent sorrowfully upon the floor4 ,my heart's best friend sat near him and seemed trying to comfort him4 ,when ,i entered the room our brother ,frank arose from a chair close beside him and passed out1 with a sympathetic look at me4 ,i went at once to my dear husband1 put my arms about him1 and whispered3 ,darling6 darling1 ,i am here6 ,he stirred restlessly without changing his position4 ,virginia said1 as though continuing a conversation1 ,i am sure she would say you left nothing undone that could possibly be done for her4 ,she is right1 ,i whispered4 ,still she was alone at the last1 he moaned4 ,yes1 dear1 but who could know it was the last8 ,she sank so suddenly under the pain4 ,what can ,i say to comfort you8 ,oh1 ,will1 come home with us6 ,she would want you to1 ,i am sure4 ,he shook his head sadly1 while the tears were in his eyes1 as he said3 ,work is my only salvation4 ,i must go back in a very few days4 ,she said no more1 and he leaned back wearily in his easy-chair4 ,i crept more closely to him and suddenly his arms closed about me4 ,i whispered1 ,there1 dear1 do you not see that ,i am really with you8 ,he was very still1 and the room was very quiet but for the ticking of my little clock still standing upon the dressing-case4 ,presently ,i knew by his regular breathing that he had found a short respite from his sorrow4 ,i slipped gently from his arms and went to my friend1 kneeling beside her1 and folding my arms about her4 ,virginia1 ,virginia6 ,you know ,i am not dead6 ,why do you grieve8 ,she looked over at the worn face of the man before her1 then dropped her face into her hand1 whispering1 as though she had heard me and would answer3 ,oh1 ,bertha darling1 how could you leave him8 ,i am here1 dearest6 ,do realize that ,i am here6 ,she did not heed me1 but sat absorbed in sorrowful thought4 ,a few minutes later a stranger entered the room1 and in a low voice said something about its being near train time1 and brought my husband his hat4 ,he arose and gave his arm to ,virginia1 and1 our son and his wife meeting them at the door1 they started to descend the stairs4 ,just then my husband paused and cast one sorrowful glance around the room1 his face white with pain4 ,our dear daughter stepped quickly to him1 and1 placing both arms about his neck1 drew his face down to hers4 7,god bless her in all things6 ,i softly prayed47 ,an instant they stood thus1 then stifling his emotion1 they all passed down the stairs into the room ,i had first entered4 ,i kept very close to my dear husband1 and never for a single instant left him through all the solemn and impressive services2 through the sad journey to our old home2 the last rites at the grave2 the after-meeting with friends2 and his final return to the weary routine of labor4 ,how thankful ,i was that ,i had been permitted to taste1 during that wonderful day in heaven1 the joys of the blessed life6 ,how else could ,i ever have passed calmly through those trying scenes1 and witnessed the sorrow of those so dear to my heart8 ,i recognize the wisdom and mercy of the ,father in having so ordered it4 ,i soon found that my husband was right2 work was his great refuge4 ,during the day the routine of labor kept brain and hands busy1 leaving the heart but little opportunity to indulge its sorrow4 ,night was his trying time4 ,kind friends would stay with him till bedtime2 after that he was alone4 ,he would turn restlessly on his pillow1 and often arise and go into the adjoining room that had formerly been mine1 and gaze upon the vacant bed with tearful eyes4 ,it took all my powers to in any degree soothe and quiet him4 ,after a time my brother ,frank and ,i arranged to spend alternate nights with him1 that he might never be alone1 and especially were we with him upon his journeys4 ,we found to our great joy that our influence over him was hourly growing stronger1 and we were able to guide and help him in many ways4 ,one night as ,i was silently watching beside him while he slept1 many months after he was alone1 ,i became conscious that evil threatened him4 ,he was sleeping very peacefully1 and ,i knew his dreams were happy ones by the smile upon his dear face4 ,i passed into the hall of the hotel where he was staying1 and found it dense with smoke4 ,i hastened back to him and called1 and tried to shake him1 but he slept on peacefully4 ,then ,i called with all my strength1 ,will6 close to his ear4 ,instantly he started up and said1 ,yes1 dear1 ,i am coming6 just as he used to do when ,i called at night4 ,then in a moment he sank back with a sigh upon his pillow1 murmuring1 ,what a vivid dream6 ,i never heard her voice more distinctly in life4 ,will6 ,i again called1 pulling him by the hand with all my strength1 rise quickly6 ,your life is in danger6 ,in an instant he was out of bed1 upon his feet1 and hurriedly drawing on his clothes4 ,i am sure ,i cannot tell why ,i am doing this1 he muttered to himself4 ,i only feel that ,i must6 ,that surely was her voice ,i heard4 ,hurry6 ,hurry6 ,i urged4 ,he opened the door and met1 not only the smoke1 but tongues of flame4 ,do not try the stairway--come6 and ,i drew him past the stairway1 and through a narrow entrance to a second hall beyond1 and down a second flight of stairs1 filled with smoke1 but as yet no flame4 ,another flight still below these1 then into the open air1 where he staggered1 faint and exhausted1 on to the sidewalk1 and was quickly helped by friends into a place of safety4 ,i am sure ,i cannot tell what wakened me1 he afterward said to a friend4 ,i dreamed ,i heard my wife calling me1 and before ,i knew it ,i was dressing myself4 ,you did hear her1 ,i have no doubt1 she said4 ,are they not 'all ministering spirits1 sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation'8 ,what lovelier service could she do than to thus save the life of one so dear to her1 whose earth-work was not yet done8 ,yes1 you did hear her call you in time to escape4 ,thank ,god for such ministrations4 ,yes1 it must be so1 he answered1 with a happy look4 ,thank ,god indeed4 ,after this he yielded much more readily to our influence1 and thus began to enjoy1 while yet upon earth1 the reunion that so surely awaited us in the blessed life4 ,i often went also to the home of our dear children1 but there was so much to make them happy that they did not need me as their father did4 ,sometimes in hours of great physical prostration1 especially during the absence of his wife1 ,i found that ,i could quiet the overwrought nerves of my dear son1 and lead his tired mind to restful thoughts2 but with youth and strength and love to support him1 the time had not yet come when my ministrations were essential4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,many friends that traveled with me ,reached ,heaven's portal long ago2 ,one by one they left me battling ,with the dark and crafty foe4 ,they are watching at the portal1 ,they are waiting at the door2 ,waiting only for my coming-- ,the beloved ones gone before4 --,mrs4 ,h4 ,m4 ,reasoner4 ,the first time ,i returned to the dear heavenly home after my long delay on earth1 as ,i approached the entrance1 in the company of my brother ,frank1 we saw a tall young man standing close by the open gate1 looking wistfully the way we came4 ,as we drew near1 he said in an almost pathetic voice3 ,is my mother coming8 ,a closer scrutiny revealed his identity1 and ,i exclaimed with joy1 extending both hands to him1 ,my dear ,carroll6 ,he smiled a bright welcome as he extended his hands1 but said wistfully1 ,i so hoped my mother would return with you1 aunt1 when you came back4 ,did you see her8 ,once only1 for a brief moment4 ,she is very happy and bears her years well4 ,she will come to you now before long1 but then you know it will be forever4 ,yes1 ,i know1 he answered brightly4 ,i will be patient4 ,but1 he added confidentially1 ,i so want her to see the lovely home ,i myself am building for her4 ,will you come and see it8 ,of course ,i will1 gladly4 ,now8 ,yes1 if ,i may2 looking at my brother for his sanction4 ,he nodded his head pleasantly as he said3 ,that is right1 ,carroll4 ,have her help you in every way you can4 ,i will leave you two together1 and you will bring her to me later8 ,indeed1 yes1 said my nephew2 and we went away happily together4 ,where is this wonderful house1 ,carroll8 ,not very far beyond ,mrs4 ,wickham's1 he said4 ,we soon reached it1 and ,i was truly charmed with it in every way4 ,it was fashioned much like my brother ,nell's home1 and was1 like it1 built of polished woods4 ,it was only partly finished1 and was most artistically done4 ,although uncompleted1 ,i was struck with the fact that everything was perfect so far as finished4 ,there was no debris anywhere2 no chips1 no shavings1 no dust4 ,the wood seemed to have been perfectly prepared elsewhere--where1 ,i have no idea4 ,the pieces were made to fit accurately1 like the parts of a great puzzle4 ,it required much skill and artistic taste to properly adjust each to its place4 ,this1 my nephew1 who even in the earthly life was quite a mechanical genius1 seemed to have no difficulty in doing1 and the house was slowly growing into beauty and symmetry4 ,after showing me all over the house1 he at last drew aside the hangings before an entrance1 beyond which were two rooms1 not only entirely finished1 but beautifully furnished as well4 ,i finished and furnished these rooms complete1 so that if mother came before the house was ready1 she could occupy them at once4 ,you know there is no noise from workmen here2 no hammering1 no unwelcome sounds4 ,i thought at once of the ,temple of ,jerusalem1 where1 during its erection1 there was neither hammer1 nor axe1 nor any tool of iron heard in the house4 ,it is very beautiful1 my dear boy1 ,i said enthusiastically4 ,it will give her great joy to know you did it for her4 ,but what is this--a fireplace8 pausing before a lovely open chimney1 wherein wood was piled ready to be lighted4 ,is it ever cold enough here for fires8 ,it is never cold1 he answered1 but the fire here never sends out unneeded warmth4 ,we have its cheer and beauty and glow1 without any of its discomforts4 ,you remember my mother loves to sit by an open fire2 so ,i have arranged this for her4 ,it is charming6 ,but you did not make the stained-glass windows also8 ,no1 ,i have a friend who has been taught that art1 and we exchange work4 ,he helps me with the windows1 and ,i in turn help him with his fine woodwork and inlaying4 ,i am going to make a 'flower room' for my mother similar to yours1 only of lilies and violets1 which will retain their perfume always4 ,how lovely6 ,i want to thank you1 dear ,carroll1 for your share in our 'flower room4' ,it is the most exquisite work ,i ever saw2 and it is doubly so when ,i remember whose hands fashioned it4 ,it was a labor of love with us all1 he said simply4 ,that is what enhances its beauty for me1 ,i said4 ,but sit here by me now1 and tell me about yourself4 ,do you spend all your time at this delightful work8 ,oh1 no1 indeed6 ,perhaps what we used to call two or three hours daily4 ,much of my time is still spent with my ,grandfather ,r----4 ,i do not know what ,i should have done when ,i first came here1 but for him4 ,i was so ignorant about this life1 and came so suddenly4 ,yes1 dear boy1 ,i know1 ,i said sympathetically4 ,he met me at the very entrance1 and took me at once home1 where he and grandma did everything possible to instruct and help me4 ,but ,i was1 ,i am still1 far below what ,i ought to be4 ,i would give a year out of this blessed life--,i would even go back to the old life for an entire year--if ,i only could go to my old friends1 or better1 into every ,sunday-school in the world1 and beseech the girls and boys to try to understand and profit by the instruction there received4 ,why1 ,i used to go to ,sunday-school1 ,sunday after ,sunday1 help sing the hymns1 and read the lesson1 and listen to all that was said2 and ,i really enjoyed every moment of the time4 ,sometimes ,i would feel a great longing after a better life1 but there seemed to be no one to especially guide or help me1 and1 the greater part of the time1 what ,i heard one ,sunday was never once spoken of or even thought of till another ,sunday came1 so that the impression made was very transient4 ,why do not boys and girls talk more together about what they hear at ,sunday-school8 ,we were all ready enough to talk about a show of any kind1 after it was over1 but seldom of the ,sunday-school1 when together socially4 ,why do not teachers take more interest in the daily lives of their scholars8 ,why is there so little really helpful talk in ordinary home life8 ,oh1 ,i wish ,i could go back and tell them this6 ,his face beamed with enthusiasm as he talked1 and ,i1 too1 wished it might be possible for him to do as he desired4 ,but alas6 they will not be persuaded even if one arise from the dead1 ,i thought4 ,it is now time for me to go with my grandfather1 he said1 rising1 but we will walk together as far as your home2 and you will let me often see you1 will you not8 ,gladly1 ,i answered1 as we set forth4 ,we still conversed of many things1 as we walked1 and when we parted at the door ,i said1 ,i am soon to learn how to weave lovely draperies2 then ,i can help you1 when you are ready for them4 ,that will make my work more delightful still1 was his reply1 as he hastened on in the direction of my father's home4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,she is not dead--the child of our affection-- ,but gone unto that school ,where she no longer needs our poor protection1 ,and ,christ himself doth rule4 ,day after day we think what she is doing ,in those bright realms of air2 ,year after year1 her tender steps pursuing1 ,behold her grown more fair4 --,longfellow4 ,hark6 'tis the voice of angels ,borne in a song to me1 ,over the fields of glory1 ,over the jasper sea6 --,w4 ,h4 ,doane4 ,as time passed1 and ,i grew more accustomed to the heavenly life around me1 ,i found its loveliness unfolded to me like the slow opening of a rare flower4 ,delightful surprises met me at every turn4 ,now a dear friend1 from whom ,i had parted years ago in the earth-life1 would come unexpectedly upon me with cordial greeting2 now one--perhaps on earth greatly admired1 but from whom ,i had held aloof1 from the fear of unwelcome intrusion--would approach me1 showing the lovely soul so full of responsive kindness and congenial thought1 that ,i could but feel a pang of regret for what ,i had lost4 ,then the clear revelation of some truth1 only partly understood in life1 though eagerly sought for1 would stand out clear and strong before me1 overwhelming me with its lustre1 and perhaps showing the close tie linking the earth-life with the divine4 ,but the most wonderful to me was the occasional meeting with some one whom ,i had never hoped to meet over there1 who1 with eager handclasp and tearful eyes1 would pour forth his earnest thanks for some helpful word1 some solemn warning1 or even some stern rebuke1 that had turned him1 all unknown to myself1 from the paths of sin into the life everlasting4 ,oh1 the joy to me of such a revelation6 ,oh1 the regret that my earth-life had not been more full of such work for eternity6 ,my first impulse daily on arousing from happy1 blissful rest1 was to hasten to the river of life and plunge into its wonderful waters1 so refreshing1 so invigorating1 so inspiring4 ,with a heart full of thanksgiving and lips full of joyful praise1 morning after morning1 sometimes in company with my brother1 sometimes alone1 ,i hastened thither1 returning always full of new life and hope and purpose to our home1 where for a time each day ,i listened to the entrancing revelations and instructions of my brother4 ,one morning1 soon after my return from my first visit to earth1 as ,i was on the way to the river1 my voice joined to the wonderful anthem of praise everywhere sounding1 ,i saw a lovely young girl approaching me swiftly1 with outstretched arms4 ,dear1 dear ,aunt ,bertha6 she called1 as she drew near1 do you not know me8 ,my little ,mae6 ,i cried1 gathering the dainty creature into my arms4 ,where did you spring from so suddenly1 dear8 ,let me look at you again6 holding her a moment at arm's length1 only to draw her again tenderly to me4 ,you have grown very beautiful1 my child4 ,i may say this to you here without fear1 ,i am sure4 ,you were always lovely2 you are simply radiant now4 ,is it this divine life8 ,yes1 she said modestly and sweetly2 but most of all the being near the ,savior so much4 ,ah1 yes1 that is it--the being near ,him6 ,that will make any being radiant and beautiful1 ,i said4 ,he is so good to me2 so generous1 so tender6 ,he seems to forget how little ,i have done to deserve his care4 ,he knows you love him1 dear heart2 that means everything to him4 ,love him6 ,oh1 if loving him deserves reward1 ,i am sure ,i ought to have every wish of my heart1 for ,i love him a thousandfold better than anything in earth or heaven4 ,i would die for him6 ,the sweet face grew surpassingly radiant and beautiful as she talked1 and ,i began to dimly understand the wonderful power of ,christ among the redeemed in heaven4 ,this dear child1 so lovely in all mortal graces1 so full of earth's keenest enjoyments during the whole of her brief life--pure and good1 as we count goodness below1 yet seemingly too absorbed in life's gayeties to think deeply of the things she yet in her heart revered and honored1 now in this blessed life counted the privilege of loving ,christ1 of being near him1 beyond every other joy6 ,and how that love refined and beautified the giver6 ,as a great earthly love always shines through the face and elevates the whole character of the one who loves1 so this divine love uplifts and glorifies the giver1 until not only the face but the entire person radiates the glory that fills the heart4 ,come with me to the river1 ,mae1 ,i said presently1 after we had talked together for some time2 come with me for a delightful plunge4 ,gladly1 she said2 but have you ever been to the lake or the sea8 ,the lake or the sea8 ,i echoed4 ,no indeed4 ,are there a lake and sea here8 ,certainly there are1 said ,mae1 with a little pardonable pride that she should know more of the heavenly surroundings than ,i4 ,shall we go to the lake to-day1 and leave the sea for another day8 ,which shall it be8 ,let it be the lake to-day1 ,i said4 ,so1 turning in an entirely different direction from the path that led to the river1 we walked joyously on1 still talking as we went4 ,so much to ask1 so much to recall1 so much to look forward to with joy6 ,once she turned to me and asked quickly3 ,when is my ,uncle ,will coming8 ,my hand closed tightly over hers1 and a sob almost rose in my throat1 though ,i answered calmly3 ,that is in ,god's hands alone2 we may not question4 ,yes1 ,i know4 ,his will is always right2 but ,i so long to see my dear uncle again2 and to 'long' is not to repine4 ,she had grown so womanly1 so wise1 this child of tender years1 since we parted1 that it was a joy to talk with her4 ,i told her of my sad errand to earth1 and the sorrow of the dear ones ,i had left4 ,yes1 yes1 ,i know it all6 she whispered1 with her soft arms about me4 ,but it will not be long to wait4 ,they will come soon4 ,it never seems long to wait for anything here4 ,there is always so much to keep one busy2 so many pleasant duties1 so many joys--oh1 it will not be long6 ,thus she cheered and comforted me as we walked through the ever-varying and always perfect landscape4 ,at length she cried1 lifting her arm and pointing with her rosy finger3 ,behold6 ,is it not divinely beautiful8 ,i caught my breath1 then stopped abruptly and covered my face with my hands to shield my eyes from the glorified scene4 ,no wonder my brother had not sooner brought me to this place2 ,i was scarcely yet spiritually strong enough to look upon it4 ,when ,i again slowly lifted my head1 ,mae was standing like one entranced4 ,the golden morning light rested upon her face1 and1 mingling with the radiance that had birth within1 almost transfigured her4 ,even she1 so long an inhabitant here1 had not yet grown accustomed to its glory4 ,look1 darling auntie6 ,it is ,god's will that you should see1 she softly whispered1 not once turning her eyes away from the scene before her4 ,he let me be the one to show you the glory of this place6 ,i turned and looked1 like one but half awakened4 ,before us spread a lake as smooth as glass1 but flooded with a golden glory caught from the heavens1 that made it like a sea of molten gold4 ,the blossom- and fruit-bearing trees grew down to its very border in many places1 and far1 far away1 across its shining waters1 arose the domes and spires of what seemed to be a mighty city4 ,many people were resting upon its flowery banks1 and on the surface of the water were boats of wonderful structure1 filled with happy souls1 and propelled by an unseen power4 ,little children1 as well as grown persons1 were floating upon or swimming in the water2 and as we looked a band of singing cherubs1 floating high overhead1 drifted across the lake1 their baby voices borne to us where we stood1 in notes of joyful praise4 ,come1 said ,mae1 seizing my hand1 let us join them2 and we hastened onward4 ,glory and honor6 sang the child voices4 ,dominion and power6 caught up and answered the voices of the vast multitude together1 and in the strain ,i found that ,mae and ,i were joining4 ,the cherub band floated onward1 and away in the distance we caught the faint melody of their sweet voices1 and the stronger cadence of the response from those waiting below4 ,we stood upon the margin of the lake1 and my cheeks were tear-bedewed and my eyes dim with emotion4 ,i felt weak as a little child2 but oh1 what rapture1 what joy unspeakable filled and overmastered me6 ,was ,i dreaming8 ,or was this indeed but another phase of the immortal life8 ,mae slipped her arm about my neck and whispered1 ,dearest1 come4 ,after the rapture--rest4 ,i yielded to her passively2 ,i could not do otherwise4 ,she led me into the water1 down1 down into its crystal depths1 and when it seemed to me we must be hundreds of feet beneath the surface1 she threw herself prostrate and bade me do the same4 ,i did so1 and immediately we began to slowly rise4 ,presently ,i found that we no longer rose1 but were slowly floating in mid-current1 many feet still beneath the surface4 ,then appeared to me a marvel4 ,look where ,i would1 perfect prismatic rays surrounded me4 ,i seemed to be resting in the heart of a prism2 and such vivid yet delicate coloring1 mortal eyes never rested upon4 ,instead of the seven colors1 as we see them here1 the colors blended in such rare graduation of shades as to make the rays seem almost infinite1 or they really were so2 ,i could not decide which4 ,as ,i lay watching this marvelous panorama1 for the colors deepened and faded like the lights of the aurora borealis1 ,i was attracted by the sound of distant music4 ,although ,mae and ,i no longer clung together1 we did not drift apart1 as one would naturally suppose we might1 but lay within easy speaking-distance of each other1 although few words were spoken by either of us2 the silence seemed too sacred to be lightly broken4 ,we lay upon1 or rather within1 the water1 as upon the softest couch4 ,it required no effort whatever to keep ourselves afloat2 the gentle undulation of the waves soothed and rested us4 ,when the distant music arrested my attention1 ,i turned and looked at ,mae4 ,she smiled back at me1 but did not speak4 ,presently ,i caught the words1 ,glory and honor1 dominion and power1 and ,i knew it was still the cherub choir1 although they must now be many miles distant4 ,then the soft tones of a bell--a silver bell with silver tongue--fell on my ear1 and as the last notes died away1 ,i whispered3 ,tell me1 ,mae4 ,yes1 dear1 ,i will4 ,the waters of this lake catch the light in a most marvelous manner1 as you have seen2 a wiser head than mine must tell you why4 ,they also transmit musical sounds--only musical sounds--for a great distance4 ,the song was evidently from the distant shore of the lake4 ,and the bell8 ,that is the bell which in the city across the lake calls to certain duties at this hour4 ,there never was a sweeter call to duty1 ,i said4 ,yes1 its notes are beautiful4 ,hark6 now it rings a chime4 ,we lay and listened1 and as we listened a sweet spell wrapped me round1 and ,i slept as peacefully as a child on its mother's bosom4 ,i awoke with a strange sense of invigoration and strength4 ,it was a feeling wholly dissimilar to that experienced during a bath in the river1 yet ,i could not explain how4 ,mae said3 ,one takes away the last of the earth-life1 and prepares us for the life upon which we enter2 the other fills us to overflowing with a draught from the ,celestial ,life itself4 ,and ,i think the child was right4 ,when we emerged from the water we found the banks of the lake almost deserted1 every one having gone1 at the call of the bell1 to the happy duties of the hour4 ,groups of children still played around in joyous freedom4 ,some climbed the trees that overhung the water1 with the agility of squirrels1 and dropped with happy shouts of laughter into the lake1 floating around upon its surface like immense and beautiful water-lilies or lotus flowers4 ,no fear of harm or danger2 no dread of ill1 or anxiety lest a mishap occur2 security1 security and joy and peace6 ,this is indeed the blessed life1 ,i said1 as we stood watching the sports of the happy children4 ,i often think how we were taught to believe that heaven was where we would wear crowns of gold and stand with harps always in our hands6 ,our crowns of gold are the halos ,his blessed presence casts about us2 and we do not need harps to accentuate our songs of praise4 ,we do see the crowns1 and we do hear the angelic harps1 when and as ,god wills it1 but our best worship is to do his blessed will1 said ,mae as we turned to go4 ,you are wise in the lore of heaven1 my child1 ,i answered2 how happy ,i am to learn from one so dear6 ,tell me all about your life here4 ,so as we walked she told me the history of her years in heaven her duties1 her joys1 her friends1 her home--with all the old-time freedom4 ,i found her home was distant from our own--far beyond the spires of the great city across the lake--but she added3 ,what is distance in heaven8 ,we come and go at will4 ,we feel no fatigue1 no haste1 experience no delays2 it is blessed1 blessed6 ,not far from our home we saw a group of children playing upon the grass1 and in their midst was a beautiful great dog1 over which they were rolling and tumbling with the greatest freedom4 ,as we approached he broke away from them and came bounding to meet us1 and crouched and fawned at my very feet with every gesture of glad welcome4 ,do you not know him1 auntie8 ,mae asked brightly4 ,it is dear old ,sport6 ,i cried1 stooping and placing my arms about his neck1 and resting my head on his silken hair4 ,dear old fellow6 ,how happy ,i am to have you here6 ,he responded to my caresses with every expression of delight1 and ,mae laughed aloud at our mutual joy4 ,i have often wondered if ,i should not some day find him here4 ,he surely deserves a happy life for his faithfulness and devotion in the other life4 ,his intelligence and his fidelity were far above those of many human beings whom we count immortal4 ,illustration3 ,hark6 'tis the voice of angels ,hark6 'tis the voice of angels ,born in a song to me1 ,over the fields of glory1 ,over the jasper sea6 ,did he not sacrifice his life for little ,will8 ,yes2 he attempted to cross the track in front of an approaching train1 because he saw it would pass between him and his little master1 and feared he was in danger4 ,it cost his life4 ,he always placed himself between any of us and threatened danger1 but ,will he seemed to consider his especial charge4 ,he was a gallant fellow--he deserves immortality4 ,dear1 dear old ,sport1 you shall never leave me again6 ,i said1 caressing him fondly4 ,at this he sprang to his feet1 barking joyously1 and gambolled and frolicked before us the rest of the way home1 then lay down upon the doorstep1 with an upward glance and a wag of his bushy tail1 as though to say1 ,see how ,i take you at your word6 ,he understands every word we say1 said ,mae4 ,of course he does2 he only lacks speech to make him perfect4 ,i somehow hoped he might find it here4 ,he would not be half so interesting if he could talk1 said ,mae4 ,possibly not4 ,how silken and beautiful his long hair is6 ,he has his bath in the river every day1 and it leaves its mark on him also4 ,do you know ,i think one of the sweetest proofs we have of the ,father's loving care for us is1 that we so often find in this life the things which gave us great happiness below4 ,the more unexpected this is1 the greater joy it brings4 ,i remember once seeing a beautiful little girl enter heaven1 the very first to come of a large and affectionate family4 ,i afterward learned that the sorrowful cry of her mother was1 ',oh1 if only we had someone there to meet her1 to care for her6' ,she came1 lovingly nestled in the ,master's own arms1 and a little later1 as he sat1 still caressing and talking to her1 a remarkably fine ,angora kitten1 of which the child had been very fond1 and which had sickened and died some weeks before1 to her great sorrow1 came running across the grass and sprang directly into her arms1 where it lay contentedly4 ,such a glad cry as she recognized her little favorite1 such a hugging and kissing as that kitten received1 made joy even in heaven6 ,who but our loving ,father would have thought of such comfort for a little child8 ,she had evidently been a timid child2 but now as the children gathered about her1 with the delightful freedom they always manifest in the presence of the beloved ,master1 she1 looking up confidingly into the tender eyes above her1 began to shyly tell of the marvelous intelligence of her dumb pet1 until at last ,jesus left her contentedly playing among the flowers with the little companions who had gathered about her4 ,our ,father never forgets us1 but provides pleasures and comforts for us all1 according to our individual needs4 ,when shall ,i behold the ,savior8 ,when shall ,i meet1 face to face1 him whom my soul so loveth8 my hungry heart began to cry out in its depths4 ,mae1 as though understanding the silent cry1 placed both arms about my neck1 looked tenderly into my eyes1 and whispered3 ,you1 too1 dearest1 will see him soon4 ,he never delays when the time is ripe for his coming4 ,it will not be long2 you1 too1 will see him soon4 ,so we parted1 each to the duties of the hour4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,sae little noo ,i ken o' blessed1 bonnie place1 ,i only ken it's ,hame1 whaur we shall see ,his face ,it wad surely be eneuch forever mair to be ,in the glory o' ,his presence1 in oor ain countrie4 ,like a bairn to his mither1 a wee birdie to its nest1 ,i wad fain be gangin' noo unto my ,savior's breast1 ,for he gathers in his bosom witless1 worthless lambs like me1 ,and carries them himsel' to his ain countrie4 --,mary ,lee ,demarest4 ,the following morning my brother said to me1 after an interesting hour of instruction3 ,shall we go for the promised visit to ,mrs4 ,wickham now8 ,indeed1 yes6 ,i answered eagerly2 so we at once set forth4 ,we soon reached her lovely home and found her waiting at the entrance as though expecting us4 ,after a cordial greeting to our friend1 my brother said3 ,i will leave you together for that 'long talk' for which ,i know you are both eager1 and will go my way to other duties4 ,i will find you1 later on1 at home4 ,the last remark to me4 ,all right1 ,i answered4 ,i am familiar with the way now1 and need no attendance4 ,after he had gone1 my friend took me all over her lovely home1 showing me1 with great pleasure1 the rooms prepared for each beloved member of her earthly household still to come4 ,one very large room1 into whose open windows at each end the blossom- and fruit-laden boughs of the immortal trees looked invitingly1 was evidently her especial care2 she whispered to me1 ,douglass always did like a large room4 ,i am sure he will like this one4 ,and ,i was also sure4 ,returning down the broad stairway1 we found it entered into a very large music-room1 with broad galleries supported by marble columns1 running across three sides of it1 on a level with the second floor4 ,in this gallery was a number of musical instruments--harps1 viols1 and some unlike any instruments ,i had ever seen elsewhere4 ,the room itself was filled with easy-chairs1 couches and window-seats1 where listeners could rest and hear the sweet harmonies from the galleries4 ,my daughter1 my friend explained1 who left us in early childhood1 has received a fine musical training here1 and is fond of gathering in her young friends and giving us quite often a musical treat4 ,you know our old home of ,springville has furnished some rare voices for the heavenly choirs4 ,mary ,allis1 ,will ,griggs1 and many others you will often hear in this room1 ,i trust4 ,we re-entered1 from this room1 the dainty reception hall opening upon the front veranda and outer steps4 ,here ,mrs4 ,wickham drew me to a seat beside her and said3 ,now1 tell me everything of the dear home and all its blessed inmates4 ,holding each other's hands as we talked1 she questioning1 ,i answering1 things too sacred to be repeated here were dwelt upon for hours4 ,at last she said1 rising hastily3 ,i will leave you for a little while--nay1 you must not go1 as ,i would have risen1 there is much yet to be said2 wait here1 ,i will return4 ,i had already learned not to question the judgment of these wiser friends1 and yielded to her will4 ,as she passed through the doorway to the inner house1 ,i saw a stranger at the front entrance and arose to meet him4 ,he was tall and commanding in form1 with a face of ineffable sweetness and beauty4 ,where had ,i seen him before8 ,surely1 surely ,i had met him since ,i came4 ,ah1 now ,i know6 ,i thought2 it is ,st4 ,john1 the beloved disciple4 ,he had been pointed out to me one morning by the river-side4 ,peace be unto this house1 was his salutation as he entered4 ,how his voice stirred and thrilled me6 ,no wonder the ,master loved him1 with that voice and that face6 ,enter4 ,thou art a welcome guest4 ,enter1 and ,i will call the mistress1 ,i said1 as ,i approached to bid him welcome4 ,nay1 call her not4 ,she knows that ,i am here2 she will return1 he said4 ,sit thou awhile beside me1 he continued1 as he saw that ,i still stood1 after ,i had seen him seated4 ,he arose and led me to a seat near him1 and like a child ,i did as ,i was bidden2 still watching1 always watching1 the wonderful face before me4 ,you have but lately come8 he said4 ,yes1 ,i am here but a short time4 ,so short that ,i know not how to reckon time as you count it here1 ,i answered4 ,ah1 that matters little1 he said with a gentle smile4 ,many cling always to the old reckoning and the earth-language4 ,it is a link between the two lives2 we would not have it otherwise4 ,how does the change impress you8 ,how do you find life here8 ,ah1 ,i said1 if they could only know6 ,i never fully understood till now the meaning of that sublime passage1 ',eye hath not seen1 nor ear heard1 neither have entered into the heart of man1 the things which ,god hath prepared for them that love him4' ,it is indeed past human conception4 ,i spoke with deep feeling4 ',for them that love him'8 ,do you believe that all ,christians truly love him8 he asked4 ,do you think they love the ,father for the gift of the ,son and the ,son because of the ,father's love and mercy8 ,or is their worship ofttimes that of duty rather than love8 ,he spoke reflectively and gently4 ,oh1 ,i said1 you who so well know the beloved ,master--who were so loved by him--how can you doubt the love he must inspire in all hearts who seek to know him8 ,a radiant glow overspread the wonderful face1 which he lifted1 looking directly at me--the mist rolled away from before my eyes--and ,i knew him6 ,with a low cry of joy and adoration1 ,i threw myself at his feet1 bathing them with happy tears4 ,he gently stroked my bowed head for a moment1 then rising1 lifted me to his side4 ,my ,savior--my ,king6 ,i whispered1 clinging closely to him4 ,yes1 and ,elder ,brother and ,friend1 he added1 wiping away tenderly the tears stealing from beneath my closed eyelids4 ,yes1 yes1 'the chiefest among ten thousand1 and the ,one altogether lovely6' again ,i whispered4 ,ah1 now you begin to meet the conditions of the new life6 ,like many another1 the changing of faith to sight with you has engendered a little shrinking1 a little fear4 ,that is all wrong4 ,have you forgotten the promise1 ',i go to prepare a place for you2 that where ,i am1 there ye may be also'8 ,if you loved me when you could not see me except by faith1 love me more now when we have really become 'co-heirs of the ,father4' ,come to me with all that perplexes or gladdens2 come to the ,elder ,brother always waiting to receive you with joy4 ,then he drew me to a seat1 and conversed with me long and earnestly1 unfolding many of the mysteries of the divine life4 ,i hung upon his words2 ,i drank in every tone of his voice2 ,i watched eagerly every line of the beloved face2 and ,i was exalted1 uplifted1 upborne1 beyond the power of words to express4 ,at length with a divine smile1 he arose4 ,we will often meet1 he said2 and ,i1 bending over1 pressed my lips reverently to the hand still clasping my own4 ,then laying his hands a moment in blessing upon my bowed head1 he passed noiselessly and swiftly from the house4 ,as ,i stood watching the ,savior's fast-receding figure1 passing beneath the flower-laden trees1 ,i saw two beautiful young girls approaching the way he went4 ,with arms intertwining they came1 happily conversing together1 sweet ,mary ,bates and ,mae ,camden4 ,when they saw the ,master1 with a glad cry they flew to meet him1 and as he joyously extended a hand to each1 they turned1 and each clinging to his hand1 one upon either side1 accompanied him on his way1 looking up trustingly into his face as he talked with them1 and apparently conversing with him with happy freedom4 ,i saw his face from time to time in profile1 as he turned and looked down lovingly1 first upon one1 then the other lovely upturned face1 and ,i thought1 ,that is the way he would have us be with him--really as children with a beloved elder brother4 ,i watched them till the trees hid them from my sight1 longing to gather the dear girls to my heart1 but knowing his presence was to them then more than aught else2 then ,i turned and passed softly through the house to the beautiful entrance at the rear4 ,just before ,i reached the door ,i met my friend ,mrs4 ,wickham4 ,before ,i could speak1 she said3 ,i know all about it4 ,do not try to speak2 ,i know your heart is full4 ,i will see you very soon--there1 go6 and she pushed me gently to the door4 ,how my heart blessed her--for it indeed seemed sacrilege to try to talk on ordinary topics after this blessed experience4 ,i did not follow the walk1 but kept across the flowery turf1 beneath the trees1 till ,i reached home4 ,i found my brother sitting upon the veranda1 and as ,i ascended the steps he rose to meet me4 ,when he looked into my face1 he took both hands into his for an instant1 and simply said1 very gently3 ,ah1 ,i see4 ,you have been with the ,master6 and stepped aside almost reverently for me to enter the house4 ,i hastened to my room1 and1 dropping the draperies behind me at the door1 ,i threw myself upon the couch1 and with closed eyes lived over every instant ,i had spent in that hallowed ,presence4 ,i recalled every word and tone of the ,savior's voice1 and fastened the instructions he had given me indelibly upon my memory4 ,i seemed to have been lifted to a higher plane of existence1 to have drunk deeper draughts from the fountain of all good1 since ,i had met ,him whom my soul loved4 ,it was a long1 blessed communion that ,i held thus with my own soul on that hallowed day4 ,when ,i looked upon the pictured face above me1 ,i wondered that ,i had not at once recognized the ,christ1 the likeness was so perfect4 ,but ,i concluded that for some wise purpose my eyes were holden until it was his pleasure that ,i should see him as he is4 ,when at last ,i arose1 the soft golden twilight was about me1 and ,i knelt by my couch1 to offer my first prayer in heaven4 ,up to this time my life there had been a constant thanksgiving--there had seemed no room for petition4 ,now as ,i knelt all ,i could utter over and over1 was3 ,i thank ,thee1 blessed ,father2 ,i thank ,thee1 ,i thank ,thee6 ,when ,i at last descended the stairs1 ,i found my brother standing in the great flower-room1 and1 going to him1 ,i said softly3 ,frank1 what do you do in heaven when you want to pray8 ,we praise6 he answered4 ,then let us praise now1 ,i said4 ,and standing there1 with clasped hands1 we lifted up our hearts and voices in a hymn of praise to ,god2 my brother with his clear1 strong voice leading1 ,i following4 ,as the first notes sounded1 ,i thought the roof echoed them2 but ,i soon found that other voices blended with ours1 until the whole house seemed filled with unseen singers4 ,such a grand hymn of praise earth never heard4 ,and as the hymn went on1 ,i recognized many dear voices from the past--,will ,griggs' pathetic tenor1 ,mary ,allis' exquisite soprano1 and many another voice that wakened memories of the long ago4 ,then as ,i heard sweet child-voices1 and looked up1 ,i saw above us such a cloud of radiant baby faces as flooded my heart with joy4 ,the room seemed filled with them4 ,oh1 what a life--what a divine life6 ,i whispered1 as1 after standing until the last lingering notes had died away1 my brother and ,i returned to the veranda and sat in the golden twilight4 ,you are only in the first pages of its record1 he said4 ,its blessedness must be gradually unfolded to us1 or we could not1 even here1 bear its dazzling glory4 ,then followed an hour of hallowed intercourse1 when he led my soul still deeper into the mysteries of the glorious life upon which ,i had now entered4 ,he taught me2 ,i listened4 ,sometimes ,i questioned1 but rarely4 ,i was content to take of the heavenly manna as it was given me1 with a heart full of gratitude and love4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,not as a child shall we again behold her2 ,for when with rapture wild ,in our embraces we again enfold her1 ,she will not be a child1 ,but a fair maiden1 in her ,father's ,mansion1 ,clothed with celestial grace1 ,and beautiful with all the soul's expansion ,shall we behold her face4 --,henry ,w4 ,longfellow ,the next day1 my brother being away upon an important mission1 ,i started out alone to see if ,i might not find the dear young friends of whom ,i had caught a fleeting glimpse the day before4 ,i knew that all things were ordered aright in that happy world1 and that sooner or later ,i should find them again2 yet ,i could but hope it might be very soon4 ,i recalled the happy light upon their fresh young faces as they had met the beloved ,master1 and ,i longed to talk with them of their life from day to day4 ,from thinking of them1 ,i began again to think of my blessed interview with ,him1 and became so absorbed in these thoughts that ,i was even oblivious to the beautiful world around me4 ,suddenly ,i heard some one say3 ,surely that is ,mrs4 ,sprague6 and looking up1 ,i saw sweet ,mary ,bates a few steps away1 regarding me intently4 ,i cried joyfully3 ,my precious ,mamie6 ,she flew to me1 and folding me in her arms1 drew my head to her shoulder in the old caressing way1 almost sobbing in her great joy4 ,dear1 dear little muzzer6--a pet name often used by her in the happy past--how glad1 how glad ,i am to have you here6 ,i could scarcely wait to find you4 ,how did you know ,i was here1 ,mamie8 ,the ,master told me1 she said softly4 ,mae had already told me1 and we were on the way to find you when we met him1 and he told us he had just left you4 ,then we knew we must wait a little1 she said reverently4 ,how my heart thrilled6 ,he had thought about1 had spoken of me1 after we parted6 ,i longed to ask her what he had said1 but dared not4 ,seeming to divine my thoughts1 she continued3 ,he spoke so tenderly about you1 and said we must be with you much4 ,mae had work to do to-day1 and as she had already seen you once1 ,i came alone4 ,she may be here later on4 ,may ,i stay a long time with you8 ,there is so much to tell you1 so much to ask about6 ,indeed you may4 ,i had started out to find you1 when we met4 ,come1 dear child1 let us return home at once4 ,so1 clinging to each other1 we set out toward my home4 ,what shall ,i tell you first8 ,i asked4 ,everything about the dear ones--every individual member of our beloved household4 ,begin with my precious1 heart-broken mother2 here her voice broke a little1 but she soon continued1 ,i am with her often1 but her great1 and ,i fear unreconciled1 sorrow1 keeps me from being the comfort to her ,i long to be4 ,if only she could spend one hour with me here1 could know ,god's wisdom and love as we know it1 how the cloud would lift from her life6 ,how she would see that the two lives1 after all1 are but one4 ,yes1 dear1 ,i answered1 ,i always urged her to think of it in that light and to trust implicitly in the ,father's tender care and never-failing love2 but it is difficult for us to see beyond the lonely hearthstone and the vacant chair4 ,still1 ,i believe she does begin to dimly grasp the comfort you are so eager to impart4 ,ah1 if only she knew that ,i need just that to complete my happiness now6 ,we cannot sorrow here as we did on earth1 because we have learned to know that the ,will of the ,father is always tender and wise2 but even heaven can never be complete for me while ,i know that my precious mother is forgetful of her many rare blessings1 simply because ,i may not be with her1 in the flesh1 to share them4 ,there is my father1 and the boys--why1 ,i am as truly hers still as they are6 ,i often sit with them all1 with her hand in mine1 or my arms about her--my dear little mother6 ,why must she see me1 to recognize this8 ,but this is almost complaining1 is it not8 ,some day she will know all--we must be patient4 ,as we walked on slowly1 conversing of the earth-life1 still in many phases so dear to us1 she asking eager questions1 ,i answering as best ,i could1 we saw a group of four persons1 three women and a man1 standing under the trees a little to one side of the walk4 ,the man's back was towards us1 but we at once recognized the ,master4 ,the women were all strangers1 and one of them seemed to have just arrived4 ,her hand the ,savior held1 as he talked with her1 while all were intently listening to his words4 ,we regarded the group in silence as we slowly passed1 not hoping for recognition from him at such a time1 but just as we were opposite to them1 he turned and looked upon us4 ,he did not speak--but oh1 that look6 ,so full of tenderness and encouragement and benediction6 ,it lifted us1 it bore us upward1 it enthralled and exalted us2 and as we passed onward1 the clasp of our hands tightened1 and rapture unspeakable flooded our hearts4 ,we finished our walk in silence1 and sat down on the marble steps in the shadow of the overhanging trees4 ,the dear child nestled close against my side1 and laid her head upon my shoulder1 while ,i rested my cheek caressingly upon it4 ,after a time ,i whispered1 half to myself1 ,was there ever such a look6 ,instantly she raised her head and looking at me1 said eagerly3 ,you think so1 too8 ,i was sure you would4 ,it is always just so4 ,if he is too much engaged to speak to you at the time1 he just looks at you1 and it is as though he had talked a long while with you4 ,is he not wonderful6 ,why1 why could we not know him on earth as we know him here8 ,how long were you here before you met him8 ,i asked4 ,oh1 that is the wonderful part of it6 ,his was the first face ,i looked upon after ,i left the body4 ,i felt bewildered when ,i first realized that ,i was free1 and ,i stood for a moment irresolute4 ,then ,i saw him standing just beside me1 with that same look upon his face4 ,at first ,i felt timid and half afraid4 ,then he stretched forth his hand to me1 and said gently1 ',my child1 ,i have come to take care of you2 trust me2 do not be afraid4' ,then ,i knew him1 and instantly all fear left me1 and ,i clung to him as ,i would have done to either of my brothers4 ,he did not say much to me1 but somehow ,i felt that he understood all of my thoughts4 ,after a moment1 ,i asked3 ',may ,i not remain awhile with mamma8 ,she is heart-broken4' ',yes1 dear child1 as long as you desire1' he answered compassionately4 ',will you also remain8' ,i asked1 for ,i already felt ,i could not bear to have him leave me4 ,he looked much pleased1 as though he divined my thought1 as he answered3 ',yes1 ,i will never leave you1 till you are ready to accompany me4' ,then ,i went to mamma and put my arms about her1 and presently the ,master1 too1 came and whispered words of comfort to her2 but ,i am not sure she recognized our presence1 though ,i fancied that she grew more calm beneath my caresses4 ,we stayed till all was over4 ,i never left mamma an instant1 except that twice ,i stole to poor little ,hal's sick-room when he was for a short time alone4 ,i have always felt that he recognized my presence more than any of them1 he lay so still and calm when ,i talked to him4 ,he seemed to be listening4 ,when they gathered for the last time about my casket1 it seemed to me ,i must speak1 ,i must show myself to them6 ,could they for one instant have seen my living self1 standing so calmly in their midst1 they would have turned forever from the lifeless clay they had embalmed and beautified for the tomb4 ,they would have known ,i was not there4 ,but they would not recognize the truth4 ,at last ,i pleaded with the ,master to let me show myself once to them1 there4 ,but he said1 ',it is not the ,father's will4' ,after that ,i accepted fully the ,father's will1 and soon thereafter he brought me here in his arms4 ,and what a blessed life it is6 ,i can give only a brief outline of our conversation on that first happy day4 ,it is too sacred to be scanned by curious eyes4 ,we talked until the golden twilight fell1 and we watched the little birds nestling in the vines1 and heard afar the solemnly joyous notes of the angels' choral song1 and joined our voices in the hymn of praise4 ,later we went to my room1 and lay down upon my dainty couch for rest1 and the last words ,i heard before sinking into heaven's blissful sleep were1 tenderly whispered3 ,dear1 dear little muzzer1 ,i am so glad and happy that you are here6 ,more than once the question has been asked1 ,was there night there8 ,emphatically1 no6 ,what1 for want of a better designation1 we may call day1 was full of a glorious radiance1 a roseate golden light1 which was everywhere4 ,there is no language known to mortals that can describe this marvelous glory4 ,it flooded the sky2 it was caught up and reflected in the waters2 it filled all heaven with joy and all hearts with song4 ,after a period much longer than our longest earthly day1 this glory mellowed and softened until it became a glowing twilight full of peace4 ,the children ceased their playing beneath the trees1 the little birds nestled among the vines1 and all who had been busy in various ways throughout the day sought rest and quiet4 ,but there was no darkness1 no dusky shadows even---only a restful softening of the glory4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,o sweet and blessed country1 ,the home of ,god's elect6 ,o sweet and blessed country ,that eager hearts expect6 ,there stand those halls of ,zion ,all jubilant with song1 ,and bright with many an angel1 ,and all the martyr throng4 --,st4 ,bernard of ,cluny4 ,not long after this my brother said1 ,we will go to the grand auditorium this morning2 it will be a rare day even here4 ,martin ,luther is to talk on ',the ,reformation2 ,its ,causes and ,effects1' and this will be supplemented by a talk from ,john ,wesley4 ,there may also be other speakers4 ,it was not the first time we had visited this great auditorium1 although ,i have not hitherto described it4 ,it stood upon a slight eminence1 and the mighty dome was supported by massive columns of alternate amethyst and jasper4 ,there were no walls to the vast edifice2 only the great dome and supporting columns4 ,a broad platform of precious marbles1 inlaid in porphyry1 arose from the center1 from which the seats ascended on three sides1 forming an immense amphitheater4 ,the seats were of cedar wood highly polished2 and back of the platform were heavy hangings of royal purple4 ,an altar of solid pearl stood near the center of the platform4 ,the great dome was deep and dark in its immensity1 so that only the golden statues around its lower border were distinctly visible4 ,all this ,i had noted at former visits4 ,when we entered1 we found the building filled with people eagerly waiting for what was to follow4 ,we soon were seated and also waiting4 ,soft strains of melody floated about us1 from an invisible choir1 and before long ,martin ,luther1 in the prime of a vigorous manhood1 ascended the steps and stood before us4 ,it is not my purpose to dwell upon his appearance1 so familiar to us all1 except to say that his great intellect and spiritual strength seemed to have added to his already powerful physique1 and made him a fit leader still1 even in heavenly places4 ,his discourse would of itself fill a volume1 and could not be given even in outline1 in this brief sketch4 ,he held us enthralled by the power of his will and his eloquence4 ,when he at length retired1 ,john ,wesley took his place1 and the saintly beauty of his face1 intensified by the heavenly light upon it1 was wonderful4 ,his theme was ,god's love2 and if in the earth-life he dwelt upon it with power1 he now swept our souls with the fire of his exaltation1 until we were as wax in his hands4 ,he showed what that love had done for us1 and how an eternity of thanksgiving and praise could never repay it4 ,silence1 save for the faint1 sweet melody of the unseen choir1 rested upon the vast audience for some time after he left4 ,all seemed lost in contemplation of the theme so tenderly dwelt upon4 ,then the heavy curtains back of the platform parted1 and a tall form1 about whom all the glory of heaven seemed to center1 emerged from their folds and advanced toward the middle of the platform4 ,instantly the vast concourse of souls arose to their feet1 and burst forth as with one voice into that grand anthem in which we had so often joined on earth3 ,all hail the power of ,jesus' name1 ,let angels prostrate fall2 ,bring forth the royal diadem1 ,and crown him ,lord of all4 ,such a grand chorus of voices1 such unity1 such harmony1 such volume1 was never heard on earth4 ,it rose1 it swelled1 it seemed to fill not only the great auditorium1 but heaven itself4 ,and still1 above it all1 we heard the voices of the angel choir1 no longer breathing the soft1 sweet melody1 but bursting forth into paeans of triumphant praise4 ,a flood of glory seemed to fill the place1 and looking upward we beheld the great dome ablaze with golden light1 and the angelic forms of the no longer invisible choir in its midst1 with their heavenly harps and viols1 and their faces only less radiant than that of ,him in whose praise they sang4 ,and he1 before whom all heaven bowed in adoration1 stood with uplifted face and kingly mien1 the very ,god of earth and heaven4 ,he was the center of all light1 and a divine radiance surrounded him that was beyond compare4 ,as the hymn of praise and adoration ceased1 all sank slowly to their knees1 and every head was bowed and every face covered as the angel choir chanted again the familiar words3 ,glory be to the ,father1 and to the ,son1 and to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,as it was in the beginning1 is now1 and ever shall be1 world without end4 ,amen1 ,amen6 ,slowly the voices died away1 and a holy silence fell upon us4 ,presently1 slowly and reverently1 all arose and resumed their places4 ,no1 not all4 ,sweet ,mary ,bates had accompanied us to the sanctuary1 and ,i now noticed that she alone still knelt in our midst1 with clasped hands and radiant uplifted face1 her lovely eyes fixed upon the ,savior1 as he still stood waiting before us1 with such a look of self-forgetful adoration and love as made her herself truly divine4 ,she was so rapt ,i dared not disturb her2 but in a moment the ,master turned and met her adoring eyes with such a look of loving recognition1 that with a deep sigh of satisfied desire1 as he turned again1 she quietly resumed her seat beside me1 slipping her little hand into mine with all the confidence of a child who feels sure it is understood to the utmost4 ,as ,i looked upon the glorious form before us1 clothed in all the majesty of the ,godhead1 my heart tremblingly asked3 ,can this indeed be the ,christ-man whom ,pilate condemned to die an ignominious death upon the cross8 ,i could not accept it4 ,it seemed impossible that any man1 however vile1 could be blind to the divinity so plainly revealed in him4 ,then the ,savior began to speak1 and the sweetness of his voice was far beyond the melody of the heavenly choir4 ,and his gracious words6 ,would that ,i could1 would that ,i dared1 transcribe them as they fell from his lips4 ,earth has no language by which ,i could convey their lofty meaning4 ,he first touched lightly upon the earth-life1 and showed so wonderfully the link of light uniting the two lives--the past with the present4 ,then he unfolded to us some of the earlier mysteries of the blessed life1 and pointed out the joyous duties just before us4 ,when he ceased1 we sat with bowed heads as he withdrew4 ,our hearts were so enfolded1 our souls so uplifted1 our spirits so exalted1 our whole being so permeated with his divinity1 that when we arose we left the place silently and reverently1 each bearing away a heart filled with higher1 more divine aspirations1 and clearer views of the blessed life upon which we were permitted to enter4 ,i can touch but lightly upon these heavenly joys4 ,there is a depth1 a mystery to all that pertains to the divine life1 which ,i dare not try to describe2 ,i could not if ,i would1 ,i would not if ,i could4 ,a sacredness enfolds it all that curious eyes should not look upon4 ,suffice it to say1 that no joy we know on earth1 however rare1 however sacred1 can be more than the faintest shadow of the joy we there find2 no dreams of rapture1 here unrealized1 approach the bliss of one moment1 even1 in that divine world4 ,no sorrow2 no pain2 no sickness2 no death2 no partings2 no disappointments2 no tears but those of joy2 no broken hopes2 no mislaid plans2 no night1 nor storm1 nor shadows even2 but light and joy and love and peace and rest forever and forever4 ,amen1 and again my heart says reverently1 ,amen4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,jerusalem6 ,jerusalem6 ,thy streets of pearl and gold ,are trod by the blest feet of them ,we knew and loved of old4 ,their voices full of calm delight ,steal through the radiant air-- ,jerusalem6 ,jerusalem6 ,our hearts are with them there6 ,as the days passed ,i found my desires often led me to the sacred lake1 sometimes alone1 sometimes with one or more of my own family circle--my revered father and precious mother1 my dear brother and sister1 and many beloved friends both within and without the bond of consanguinity4 ,it was always to me an inspiration and an uplifting4 ,i never could grow sufficiently familiar with it to overcome the first great awe with which it inspired me2 but ,i found that the oftener ,i bathed or floated and slept in its pellucid current1 the stronger ,i grew in spirit1 and the more clearly ,i comprehended the mysteries of the world about me4 ,my almost daily intercourse with the dear ones of our home life from whom ,i had so long been separated1 served to restore to me the home feeling that had been the greatest solace of my mortal life2 and ,i began to realize that this was indeed the true life1 instead of that probationary life which we had always regarded as such4 ,i think it was the day after my return from my first visit to earth1 that1 as ,i had started to cross the sward lying between my father's house and our own1 ,i heard my name called in affectionate tones4 ,i turned and saw approaching me a tall1 fine-looking man1 whose uncovered head was silvery white1 and whose deep blue eyes looked happily and tenderly into mine1 as he drew near4 ,oliver6 ,i cried with outstretched hands of welcome1 dear1 dear ,oliver6 ,it was the husband of my eldest sister1 always dearly loved4 ,i did not know that you had come1 until a few moments since1 when our father told me4 ,it is delightful to have you here2 it seems more like the old life to see you than any of the others who are here--we were together so much during the last years of my stay1 he said1 grasping my hands warmly4 ,where are you going now8 ,can you not come with me awhile8 ,i was thinking only a few days ago how much ,i wished you could be here a little while before ,lu came2 you know her tastes so well4 ,and now here you are6 ,so often our unspoken wishes are thus gratified in heaven6 ,is my sister coming soon8 ,i asked a little later4 ,that ,i cannot confidently say2 but you know the years of the earth-life are passing1 and her coming cannot be much longer delayed4 ,can you come with me now8 ,gladly1 ,i said1 turning to walk with him4 ,it is only a little way from here1 he said4 ,just where the river bends4 ,lu loves the water so1 ,i chose that spot in preference to one even nearer your home4 ,this is truly enchanting6 ,i cried1 as we drew near the place4 ,i have not been this way before4 ,i want you to see the river from her room windows1 he said2 ,i know you will enjoy it4 ,we entered the truly beautiful house1 built of the purest white granite1 so embedded in the foliage of the flower-laden trees that from some points only glimpses of its fine proportions could be seen4 ,she loves flowers so much--will she not enjoy these trees8 he asked with almost boyish delight4 ,beyond everything1 ,i answered4 ,we passed through several delightful rooms on the lower floor1 and1 ascending the stairway1 which in itself was a dream of beauty1 entered the room he was so anxious ,i should see4 ,i stopped upon the threshold with an exclamation of delight1 while he stood watching with keen enjoyment the expression on my face4 ,it is the most delightful room ,i ever saw6 ,i cried enthusiastically4 ,the framework of couches1 chairs and desk was of pure and spotless pearl1 upholstered in dim gold2 soft rugs and draperies everywhere2 and through the low window1 opening upon the flower-wreathed balcony1 so enchanting a view of the broad1 smooth river below1 that again ,i caught my breath in delight4 ,a thousand exquisite tints from the heavens above were reflected upon the tranquil waters1 and a boat floating on the current was perfectly mirrored in the opaline-tinted ripples4 ,far across the shining waters the celestial hills arose1 with domes and pillared temples and sparkling fountains perceptible everywhere4 ,when at last ,i turned from this entrancing view1 ,i saw on the opposite wall1 smiling down upon me1 the same ,divine face that ,i daily looked upon in my own room at home4 ,we descended the stairs without a word1 then ,i could only falter3 ,only heaven could give such perfection in everything6 ,oliver pressed my hand sympathetically1 and let me depart without a word4 ,many months1 by earthly time1 had passed since that day1 and many times ,i had visited that lovely home and held sweet converse with one ,i loved so well4 ,i could suggest nothing that would add to the beauty of the place1 but we talked of it together1 and planned for and anticipated the joy of her coming4 ,one day ,i found him absent1 and though ,i waited long for his return1 he came not4 ,i had not seen him for several days1 and concluded he had been sent upon some mission by the ,master4 ,as ,i passed onward to our home1 ,i met a group of happy young girls and boys1 of different ages1 hastening the way ,i had come1 with their arms full of most beautiful flowers4 ,as they drew near ,i saw they were the grandchildren of my dear sister--,stanley and ,mary and ,david and ,lee and little ,ruth4 ,as soon as they saw me1 they all with one accord began to shout joyfully3 ,grandma is coming6 ,grandma is coming6 ,we are taking flowers to scatter everywhere6 ,we are so glad6 ,how do you know she is coming1 children8 ,i have just been to the house--no one is there6 ,but she is coming1 said little ,lee4 ,we had a message from grandpa1 and he is to bring her4 ,then ,i will tell the others1 and we will all come to welcome her1 ,i said4 ,with a great joy in my heart ,i hastened onward to my father's house4 ,i found them awaiting me1 full of joyful expectation4 ,yes1 we also have had word1 my father said1 and were only awaiting your return1 that we might go together4 ,then ,i will go for brother ,frank1 that he also may accompany us1 ,i said4 ,he is here6 said a genial voice2 and1 looking up1 ,i saw him at the door4 ,col4 ,sprague is always present when he is needed1 said my father cordially4 ,so we set forth1 a goodly company1 to welcome this dearly loved one to her home--my father1 my mother1 and my sister ,jodie2 my brother the doctor1 and his two fair daughters2 my ,aunt ,gray1 her son ,martin1 and his wife and daughter2 my brother ,frank and ,i4 ,as we approached the house we heard the sound of joyous voices1 and looking in1 we saw my sister standing in the room1 her husband's arm about her1 and the happy grandchildren thronged around them1 like humming-birds among the flowers4 ,but what was this8 ,could this radiant creature1 with smooth brow and happy eyes1 be the pale1 wan woman ,i had last seen1 so bowed with suffering and sorrow8 ,i looked with eager eyes4 ,yes1 it was my sister2 but as she was full thirty years ago1 with the bloom of health upon her face1 and the light of youth in her tender eyes4 ,i drew back into the shadow of the vines and let the others precede me1 for my heart was full of a strange1 triumphant joy4 ,this truly was the victory over death so surely promised by our risen ,lord4 ,i watched the happy greetings1 and the way she took each beloved one into her tender arms4 ,when1 one by one1 she had greeted and embraced them all1 ,i saw her1 with a strange yearning at my heart1 turn and look wistfully around1 then whisper to my father3 ,is not my little sister here8 ,i could wait no longer1 but1 hastening to her side1 cried3 ,dearest1 ,i am here6 ,welcome6 ,welcome6 ,she folded me to her heart and held me fast in her warm arms1 she showered me with kisses upon my upturned face1 while ,i returned each loving caress1 and laughed and cried for very gladness that she had come at last4 ,oh1 what a family reunion was that inside the walls of heaven6 ,and how its bliss was heightened by the sure knowledge 7not the hope7 that there should be no partings for us henceforth forever6 ,my brother ,oliver looked on with proud and happy eyes4 ,the hour for which he had longed and waited had come to him at last2 his home-life would now be complete for evermore4 ,i told him how ,i had waited for him that day1 and he said1 ,we saw you as you left the house1 but were too distant to call you4 ,i had taken her into the river1 and she had looked at and admired the house very greatly before she knew it was our home4 ,what did she do when she saw her lovely room8 ,cried like a child1 and clung to me1 and said1 ',this more than repays us for the lost home of earth6' ,if the children had not come1 ,i think she would have been at that window still6 he said1 laughing happily4 ,i am glad you had her all to yourself at the first1 ,i whispered2 you deserved that happiness1 dear1 if any man ever did4 ,he smiled gratefully1 and looked over at his wife1 where she stood the center of a happy group4 ,does she not look very young to you1 ,oliver8 ,i asked4 ,the years rolled from her like a mask1 as we sat beneath the water in the river4 ,ah1 truly in those life-giving waters we do all 'renew our youth'2 but she became at once uncommonly fair and young4 ,her coming has brought youth likewise to you1 ,i said1 noting his fresh complexion and his sparkling eyes2 but ,i hope it will not change your silver hair1 for that is to you a crown of glory4 ,he looked at me a moment critically1 then said3 ,i wonder if you realize the change that has likewise come to you in this wonderful clime8 ,i8 ,i said1 a little startled at the thought2 ,i confess ,i have not once thought of my personal appearance4 ,i realize what1 through the ,father's mercy1 this life has done for me spiritually1 but as for the other1 ,i have never given it an instant's thought4 ,the change is fully as great in your case as in ,lu's1 though with you the change has been more gradual1 he said4 ,i felt a strange thrill of joy that when my dear husband should come to me1 he would find me with the freshness and comeliness of our earlier years4 ,it was a sweet thought1 and my heart was full of gratitude to the ,father for this further evidence of his loving care4 ,so we talked together as the hours sped1 until my father said3 ,come1 children2 we must not forget that this dear daughter of mine needs rest this first day in her new home4 ,let us leave her and her happy husband to their new-found bliss4 ,so with light hearts we went our way1 and left them to spend their first hours in heaven together4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,holy1 holy1 holy6 ,all the saints adore ,thee1 ,casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea2 ,cherubim and ,seraphim falling down before ,thee1 ,which wert1 and art1 and evermore shalt be4 --,bishop ,heber4 ,after we had left my parents and friends on our return from our welcome to my sister1 my brother hastened away upon some mission1 and ,i walked on alone toward the sacred lake4 ,i felt the need of a rest in its soothing waters after the exciting scenes through which ,i had passed4 ,i had hitherto visited the lake in the early morning hours2 it was now something past noontide of the heavenly day1 and but few persons lingered on the shore4 ,the boats that sped across its calm surface seemed to be filled rather with those intent upon some duty than simply pleasure-seekers4 ,i walked slowly down into the water1 and soon found myself floating1 as at former times1 in mid-current4 ,the wonderful prismatic rays that in the early morning were such a marvel1 now blended into a golden glory1 with different shades of rose and purple flashing athwart their splendor4 ,to me it seemed even more beautiful than the rainbow tints2 just as the maturer joys of our earthly life cast into shadow1 somewhat1 the more evanescent pleasures of youth4 ,i could but wonder what its evening glories would be1 and resolved to come at some glowing twilight1 and see if they would not remind me of the calm hours of life's closing day4 ,i heard the chimes from the silver bell of the great city ringing an anthem as ,i lay1 and its notes seemed to chant clearly3 ,holy6 ,holy6 ,holy6 ,lord ,god ,almighty6 ,the waters took up the song and a thousand waves about me responded1 ,holy6 ,holy6 ,holy6 ,the notes seemed to vibrate1 if ,i may use the expression1 upon the waves1 producing a wondrously harmonious effect4 ,the front row in the battalion of advancing waves softly chanted ,holy as they passed onward2 immediately the second roll of waves took up the word that the first seemed to have dropped as it echoed the second ,holy in the divine chorus1 then it1 too1 passed onward to take up the second note as the third advancing column caught the first2 and so it passed and echoed from wave to wave1 until it seemed millions of tiny waves about me had taken up and were bearing their part in this grand crescendo--this wonderful anthem4 ,language fails me--,i cannot hope to convey to others this experience as it came to me4 ,it was grand1 wonderful1 overpowering4 ,i lay and listened until my whole being was filled with the divine melody1 and ,i seemed to be a part of the great chorus1 then ,i1 too1 lifted up my voice and joined with full heart in the thrilling song of praise4 ,i found that1 contrary to my usual custom1 ,i floated rapidly away from the shore whence ,i had entered the water1 and after a time was conscious that ,i was approaching a portion of the lake shore ,i had never yet visited4 ,refreshed and invigorated1 ,i ascended the sloping banks1 to find myself in the midst of a lovely suburban village1 similar to the one where our own home was situated4 ,there was some difference in the architecture or construction of the houses1 though they were no less beautiful than others ,i had seen4 ,many were constructed of polished woods1 and somewhat resembled the finest of the chalets one sees in ,switzerland1 though far surpassing them in all that gives pleasure to the artistic eye4 ,as ,i wandered on1 feasting my eyes upon the lovely views about me1 ,i was particularly pleased by the appearance of an unusually attractive house4 ,its broad verandas almost overhung the waters of the lake1 the wide low steps running on one side of the house quite to the water's edge4 ,several graceful swans were leisurely drifting about with the current1 and a bird similar to our ,southern mocking-bird1 but with softer voice1 was singing and swinging in the low branches overhead4 ,there were many larger and more imposing villas near1 but none possessed for me the charm of this sweet home4 ,beneath one of the large flowering trees close by this cottage home1 ,i saw a woman sitting1 weaving with her delicate hands1 apparently without shuttle or needle1 a snow-white gossamer-like fabric that fell in a soft fleecy heap at her side as the work progressed4 ,she was so very small in stature that at first glance ,i supposed she was a child2 but a closer scrutiny showed her to be a mature woman1 though with the glow of youth still upon her smooth cheek4 ,something familiar in her gestures1 rather than her appearance1 caused me to feel that it was not the first time we had met2 and growing accustomed now to the delightful surprises that met me everywhere in this world of rare delights1 ,i drew near to accost her1 when1 before ,i could speak1 she looked up1 and the doubt was gone4 ,maggie6 ,mrs4 ,sprague dear6 we cried simultaneously1 as1 dropping her work from her hands1 she stepped quickly up to greet me4 ,our greeting was warm and fervent1 and her sweet face glowed with a welcome that reminded me of the happy days when we had met1 in the years long gone1 by the shore of that other beautiful lake in the world of our earth-life4 ,now ,i know why ,i came this way to-day--to find you1 dear1 ,i said1 as we sat side by side1 talking as we never had talked on earth2 for the sweet shyness of her mortal life had melted away in the balmy air of heaven4 ,what is this lovely fabric you are weaving8 ,i presently asked1 lifting the silken fleecy web in my fingers as ,i spoke4 ,some draperies for ,nellie's room1 she said4 ,you know we two have lived alone together so much1 ,i thought it would seem more like home to her1 to us both1 if we did the same here4 ,so this cottage is our own special home1 just a step from ,marie's1 pointing to an imposing house a few yards distant1 and ,i am fitting it up as daintily as ,i can1 especially her room4 ,oh1 let me help you1 ,maggie dear6 ,i said4 ,it would be such a pleasure to me4 ,she hesitated an instant1 with something of the old-time shyness1 then said3 ,that is so like you1 dear ,mrs4 ,sprague4 ,i have set my heart on doing ,nellie's room entirely myself--there is no hurry about it1 you know--but if you really would enjoy it1 ,i shall love to have you help me in the other rooms4 ,and will you teach me how to weave these delicate hangings8 ,yes1 indeed4 ,shall ,i give you your first lesson now8 ,lifting the dainty thread1 she showed me how to toss and wind it through my fingers till it fell away in shining folds4 ,it was very light and fascinating work1 and ,i soon was weaving it almost as rapidly as she did4 ,now1 ,i can help ,carroll6 was my happy thought1 as ,i saw the shimmering fabric grow beneath my hands4 ,to-morrow ,i will go and show him how beautifully we can drape the doors and windows4 ,so in heaven our first thought ever is to give pleasure to others4 ,you are an apt scholar1 said ,maggie1 laughing happily2 and what a charming hour you have given me6 ,what a charming hour you have given me1 my dear6 ,i answered4 ,when we parted it was with the understanding that every little while ,i was to repeat the visit4 ,when ,i urged her likewise to come to me1 the old-time shyness again appeared1 as she said3 ,oh1 they are all strangers to me1 and here we shall be entirely alone4 ,you come to me4 ,so ,i yielded1 as in heaven we never seek to gain reluctant consent for any pleasure1 however dear2 and many were the happy hours spent with her in the cottage by the lake4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,i take these little lambs1 said ,he ,and lay them in my breast2 ,protection they shall find in ,me1 ,in ,me be ever blest4 --,samuel ,stennett4 ,on one of my walks about this time1 ,i chanced upon a scene that brought to mind what ,mae had said to me about the ,savior's love for little children4 ,i found him sitting beneath one of the flowering trees upon the lake shore1 with about a dozen children of all ages clustered around him4 ,one dainty little tot1 not more than a year old1 was nestled in his arms1 with her sunny head resting confidingly upon his bosom1 her tiny hands filled with the lovely water-lilies that floated everywhere on the waters4 ,she was too young to realize how great her privilege was1 but seemed to be enjoying his care to the utmost4 ,the others sat at his feet1 or leaned upon his knees2 and one dear little fellow1 with earnest eyes1 stood by him1 leaning upon his shoulder1 while the ,master's right arm encircled him4 ,every eye was fixed eagerly upon ,jesus1 and each child appeared alert to catch every word he said4 ,he seemed to be telling them some very absorbing story1 adapted to their childish tastes and capacities4 ,i sat down upon the sward among a group of people1 a little removed from the children1 and tried to hear what he was saying1 but we were too far away to catch more than a sentence now and then1 and in heaven one never intrudes upon another's privileges or pleasures4 ,so we simply enjoyed the smiles and eager questions and exclamations of the children1 and gathered a little of the tenor of the story from the disjointed sentences which floated to us4 ,a little child lost in the dark woods of the lower world-- we heard the ,master say1 in response to the inquiring looks of the interested children4 ,lions and bears-- came later on4 ,where was his papa8 asked an anxious voice4 ,we could not hear the reply1 but soon a little fellow leaning upon the ,savior's knee1 said confidently3 ,no lions and bears up here6 ,no1 he replied1 nothing to harm or frighten my little children here6 ,then as the story deepened and grew in interest1 and the children pressed more closely about the ,master1 he turned with a sweet smile--and we could see an increased pressure of the encircling arm--to the little fellow with the earnest eyes who leaned upon his shoulder1 and said3 ,what1 ,leslie1 would you have done1 then8 ,with a bright light in his eyes and a flush on his fair cheek1 the child answered quickly and emphatically3 ,i should have prayed to ,thee and asked ,thee to 'close the lion's mouth1' as ,thou didst for ,daniel1 and ,thou wouldst have done it6 ,ah1 ,i thought1 could ,c---- and ,h---- see the look the beloved ,master cast upon their boy as he made his brave reply1 they would be comforted even for the absence of their darling4 ,lost in these thoughts1 ,i heard no more that passed1 until an ecstatic shout from the little folks proclaimed how satisfactorily the story had ended1 and1 looking up1 ,i saw the ,savior passing onward1 with the baby still in his arms1 and the children trooping about him4 ,of such is the kingdom of heaven4 ,how well he understood6 ,how much he loved them6 ,i1 too1 arose and started homeward4 ,i had not gone far before ,i met my brother ,frank1 who greeted me with3 ,i am on my way to the city by the lake2 will you accompany me8 ,it has been long my wish to visit the city4 ,i only waited until you thought it wise for me to go1 ,i answered4 ,you are growing so fast in the knowledge of the heavenly ways1 he said1 that ,i think ,i might venture to take you almost anywhere with me now4 ,you acquire the knowledge for the very love of it2 not because you feel it your duty to know what we would have you learn4 ,your eagerness to gather to yourself all truth1 and at the same time your patient submission in waiting1 ofttimes when ,i know the trial is great1 have won for you much praise and love from our dear ,master1 who watches eagerly the progress of us all in the divine life4 ,i think it only right that you should know of this2 we need encouragement here as well as in the earth-life1 though in a different way4 ,i tell you this by divine permission4 ,i think it will not be long before ,he trusts you with a mission2 but this ,i say of myself1 not by his command4 ,it would be impossible for me to convey1 in the language of earth1 the impression these words of commendation left upon me4 ,they were so unexpected1 so unforeseen4 ,i had gone on1 as my brother said1 eagerly gathering the knowledge imparted to me1 with a genuine love for the study of all things pertaining to the blessed life1 without a thought that ,i in any way deserved commendation for so doing2 and now ,i had won the approbation of the ,master himself6 ,the happiness seemed almost more than ,i had strength to bear4 ,my brother1 my dear brother6 was all ,i could say1 in my deep joy1 stopping suddenly and looking up into his face with grateful tears4 ,i am so glad for you1 little sister6 he said1 warmly clasping my hand4 ,there are1 you see1 rewards in heaven2 it does my soul good that you have unconsciously won one of these so soon4 ,i would ,i might record in detail the precious words of wisdom that fell from his lips2 ,i would that ,i might recount minutely the events of that wonderful life as it was unfolded to me day by day2 but ,i can only say1 ,i may not4 ,when ,i undertook to make a record of that never-to-be-forgotten time1 ,i did not realize how many serious difficulties ,i would have to encounter2 how often ,i would have to pause and consider if ,i might really reveal this truth or paint that scene as it appeared to me4 ,the very heart has often been left out of some wonderful scene ,i was attempting to describe1 because ,i found ,i dared not reveal its sacred secret4 ,i realize painfully that the narrative1 as ,i am forced to give it1 falls infinitely short of what ,i hoped to make it when ,i began4 ,but bear with me2 it is no fancy sketch ,i am drawing1 but the veritable life beyond1 as it appeared to me when the exalted spirit rose triumphant over the impoverished flesh1 made slavishly subservient through suffering4 ,my brother and ,i walked slowly back to the margin of the lake1 where we stepped into a boat lying near the shore1 and were at once transported to the farther shore of the lake1 and landed upon a marble terrace--the entrance to the city by the lake4 ,i never knew by what power these boats were propelled4 ,there were no oarsmen1 no engine1 no sails1 upon the one in which we crossed the water2 but it moved steadily onward till we were safely landed at our destination4 ,luxuriously cushioned seats were all around it1 and upon one of them lay a musical instrument1 something like a violin1 although it had no bow1 but seemed to be played by the fingers alone4 ,upon another seat lay a book4 ,i picked it up and opened it2 it seemed to be a continuation of that book that has stirred and thrilled millions of hearts in the mortal life--,the ,greatest ,thing in the ,world4 ,as ,i glanced through it while we journeyed1 ,i grasped the truth that this great mind already had grappled with the mighty things of eternity and given food to immortals1 even as he had to those in mortal life in the years gone by4 ,i was roused from my thoughts by the boat touching the marble terrace1 and found my brother already standing waiting to assist me to the shore4 ,passing up a slight acclivity1 we found ourselves in a broad street that led into the heart of the city4 ,the streets ,i found were all very broad and smooth1 and paved with marble and precious stones of every kind4 ,though they were thronged with people intent on various duties1 not an atom of debris1 or even dust1 was visible anywhere4 ,there seemed to be vast business houses of many kinds1 though ,i saw nothing resembling our large mercantile establishments4 ,there were many colleges and schools2 many book and music-stores and publishing houses2 several large manufactories1 where1 ,i learned1 were spun the fine silken threads of manifold colors which were so extensively used in the weaving of the draperies ,i have already mentioned4 ,there were art rooms1 picture galleries and libraries1 and many lecture halls and vast auditoriums4 ,but ,i saw no churches of any kind4 ,at first this somewhat confused me1 until ,i remembered that there are no creeds in heaven1 but that all worship together in harmony and love--the children of one and the same loving ,father4 ,ah1 ,i thought1 what a pity that that fact1 if no other in the great economy of heaven1 could not be proclaimed to the inhabitants of earth6 ,how it would do away with the petty contentions1 jealousies and rivalries of the church militant6 ,no creeds in heaven6 ,no controverted points of doctrine6 ,no charges of heresy brought by one professed ,christian against another6 ,no building up of one denomination upon the ruins or downfall of a different sect6 ,but one great universal brotherhood whose head is ,christ1 and whose corner-stone is ,love4 ,i thought of the day we had listened in the great auditorium at home to the divine address of our beloved ,master2 of the bowed heads and uplifted voices of that vast multitude as every voice joined in the glorious anthem1 ,crown ,him ,lord of ,all6 and ,i could have wept to think of the faces that must some day be bowed in shame when they remember how often they have in mortal life said to a brother ,christian1 ,stand aside2 ,i am holier than thou6 ,we found no dwelling-houses anywhere in the midst of the city1 until we came to the suburbs4 ,here they stood in great magnificence and splendor4 ,but one pleasing fact was that every home had its large door-yard1 full of trees and flowers and pleasant walks2 indeed1 it was everywhere1 outside of the business center of the town1 like one vast park dotted with lovely houses4 ,there was much that charmed1 much that surprised me in this great city1 of which ,i may not fully speak1 but which ,i never can forget4 ,we found in one place a very large park1 with walks and drives and fountains and miniature lakes and shaded seats1 but no dwellings or buildings of any kind1 except an immense circular open temple capable of seating many hundred2 and where1 my brother told me1 a seraph choir assembled at a certain hour daily and rendered the oratorios written by the great musical composers of earth and heaven4 ,it had just departed1 and the crowd who had enjoyed its divine music yet lingered as though loath to leave a spot so hallowed4 ,we will remember the hour1 my brother said1 and come again when we can hear them4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,not all the archangels can tell ,the joys of that holiest place1 ,where the ,father is pleased to reveal ,the light of ,his heavenly face4 --,charles ,wesley4 ,and the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of ,god1 and from his power4--,rev4 #ae3 #h4 ,still passing through the park1 we came out upon the open country1 and walked some distance through flowery meadows and undulating plains4 ,at length we entered a vast forest whose great trees towered above us like swaying giants4 ,the day was well-nigh spent--the day so full of joy and glad surprises and happy hours6 ,full as it had been ,i felt there was still something left for me1 deep hidden in the twilight-valley of the day2 something that held my soul in awe1 as the last moments preceding the ,holy ,sacrament4 ,my brother walked by me1 absorbed in silent thought1 but with a touch beyond even his usual gentleness4 ,i did not ask where we were going at that unusual hour1 so far from home1 for fear and doubt and questionings no longer vexed the quiet of my soul4 ,although the forest was dense1 the golden glow of the twilight rested beneath the trees1 and sifted down through the quivering branches overhead1 as though falling through the windows of some grand cathedral4 ,at length we emerged from the forest upon a vast plain that stretched out into illimitable space before us1 and far away we faintly heard the thunder of the breaking waves of that immortal sea of which ,i had heard so much but had not yet seen4 ,but for their faint and distant reverberation the silence about us was intense4 ,we stood a moment upon the verge of the forest1 then as we advanced a few steps into the plain ,i became aware that immediately to our right the ground rose into quite an elevation2 and1 as ,i turned1 a sight broke upon my bewildered eyes that the eternal years of earth and heaven can never efface4 ,upon the summit of this gentle slope a ,temple stood1 whose vast dome1 massive pillars and solid walls were of unsullied pearl1 and through whose great mullioned windows shone a white radiance that swallowed up the golden glow of the twilight and made it its own4 ,i did not cry aloud nor hide my face1 as at former revelations2 but ,i sank slowly to my knees1 and1 crossing my hands upon my breast1 with uplifted face1 stilled heart and silent lips1 laid my whole being in worship at ,his feet who sitteth upon the throne4 ,how long ,i knelt thus ,i know not4 ,even immortal life seemed lost before that greatest of celestial mysteries4 ,at length my brother1 who had been silently kneeling beside me1 arose1 and1 lifting me to my feet1 whispered gently1 ,come4 ,i felt rather than saw that his face was colorless with the depth of his emotion1 and ,i yielded to his guidance in silence4 ,a long flight of low1 broad steps1 in gradations1 rose from almost where we stood to the very door of the ,temple4 ,they1 too1 were of solid pearl1 bordered on either side by channels paved with golden stones through which coursed crystal waters that met and mingled in one stream far out upon the plain4 ,ascending these steps1 we entered the ,temple1 and for a moment stood in silence4 ,i do not know how it was1 but in that brief instant--it may have been longer than ,i knew--every detail of that wonderful interior was fastened upon my memory as a scene is photographed upon the artist's plate4 ,heretofore it had taken repeated visits to a room to enable me to describe it correctly in detail1 but this1 in a lightning's flash1 was stamped upon the tablet of my memory indelibly for all time--nay1 for eternity4 ,the immense dome1 at that moment filled with a luminous cloud1 was upheld by three rows of massive pillars of gold4 ,the walls and floors were of pearl1 as also the great platform that filled at least one-third of the ,temple upon the eastern side4 ,there were no seats of any kind4 ,the great golden pillars stood like rows of sentinels upon the shining floor4 ,a railing of gold ran entirely around the platform upon the three sides1 so that it was inaccessible from the body of the ,temple4 ,beneath this railing1 upon the temple-floor1 a kneeling-step passed around the platform1 also of pearl4 ,in the center of the platform an immense altar of gold arose1 supported by seraphs of gold with outspread wings1 one at each corner2 and underneath it1 in a great pearl basin1 a fountain of sparkling water played1 and ,i knew intuitively it was the source of the magical river that flowed through the gardens of heaven and bore from us the last stains of death and sin4 ,nothing living1 beside ourselves1 was within the ,temple except two persons who knelt with bowed heads beside the altar-rail upon the farther side2 but by the altar stood four angels1 one upon either side1 dressed in flowing garments of white1 with long1 slim trumpets of gold uplifted in their hands1 as though waiting in expectancy the signal for their trumpet call4 ,long draperies of silvery gossamer hung in heavy folds back of the altar platform4 ,suddenly1 in the moment that we looked1 we saw the draperies tremble and glow until a radiance far beyond the splendor of the sun at mid-day shone through them1 and the whole ,temple was filled with the glory of the ,lord4 ,we saw1 in the midst of the luminous cloud that filled the dome1 the forms of angelic harpers1 and as we dropped with bowed heads beside the altar-rail and hid our faces from the brightness of ,his coming1 we heard the trumpet-call of the four angels about the altar1 and the voices of the celestial harpers as they sang3 ,holy1 ,holy1 ,holy1 ,lord ,god ,almighty6 ,all thy works shall praise thy name1 in earth1 and sky1 and sea4 ,holy1 ,holy1 ,holy1 merciful and mighty1 ,god in three persons--blessed ,trinity4 ,amen6 ,the voices softly died away2 the last notes of the golden trumpets had sounded2 and there was silence in heaven4 ,we knew that the visible glory of the ,lord was1 for the present1 withdrawn from the ,temple which is his throne2 still we knelt with bowed heads in silent worship before him4 ,when at last we arose ,i did not lift my eyes while within the ,temple2 ,i desired it to remain upon my memory as it appeared when filled with his glory4 ,we walked some time in silence1 ,i leaning upon my brother's arm1 for ,i yet trembled with emotion4 ,i was surprised that we did not return into the forest1 but went still farther out upon the plain4 ,but when ,i saw that we approached the confluence of the two streams which issued from the fountain beneath the altar1 ,i began to understand that we would return by way of the river1 instead of by forest and lake4 ,we reached the stream1 at length1 and1 stepping into a boat that lay by the shore1 we were soon floating with the current toward home4 ,we passed through much beautiful scenery on our course that ,i had not seen before1 and which ,i resolved ,i would visit in the future1 when leisure from my daily duties would permit4 ,lovely villas1 surrounded by beautiful grounds stretching directly up from the water's edge1 lay on both sides of the river1 and formed a panorama upon which the eye never tired of resting4 ,toward the end of the journey we passed my sister's lovely home1 and we could plainly see her and her husband drinking in the scene with enraptured eyes1 from the window of her own room4 ,my brother and ,i were both silent the greater part of the time during our journey homeward1 though each noted with observant eyes the signs of happy domestic life by which we were surrounded on every side4 ,the verandas and steps of the homes we passed were full of their happy inmates2 glad voices could be constantly heard1 and merry shouts of laughter came from the throngs of little children playing everywhere upon the flowery lawns4 ,once ,i broke our silence by saying to my brother3 ,i have been more than once delightfully surprised to hear the familiar songs of earth reproduced in heaven1 but never more so than ,i was to-day4 ,that hymn has long been a favorite of mine4 ,these happy surprises do not come by chance1 he answered4 ,one of the delights of this rare life is that no occasion is ever overlooked for reproducing here the pure enjoyments of our mortal life4 ,it is the ,father's pleasure to make us realize that this existence is but a continuance of the former life1 only without its imperfections and its cares4 ,frank1 ,i believe you are the only one of our friends here who has never questioned me about the dear ones left behind2 why is it8 ,he smiled a peculiarly happy smile as he answered3 ,perhaps it is because ,i already know more than you could tell me4 ,i wondered if it was not so1 ,i said1 for ,i remembered well how my dear father had said1 in speaking of my brother upon the first day of my coming1 ,he stands very near to the ,master1 and ,i knew how often he was sent upon missions to the world below4 ,i lay down upon my couch1 on our return1 with a heart overflowing with joy and gratitude and love1 beyond the power of expression2 and it seemed to me the tenderness in the ,divine eyes that looked down upon me from the wall was deeper1 purer1 holier than it had ever been before4 ,i will reach the standard of perfection you have set for me1 my ,savior1 ,i faltered1 with clasped hands uplifted to him1 if it takes all my life in heaven and all the help from all the angels of light to accomplish it2 and with these words upon my lips1 and his tender eyes resting upon me1 ,i sank into the blissful repose of heaven4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,i shall know the loved who have gone before1 ,and joyfully sweet will the meeting be1 ,when over the river1 the peaceful river1 ,the ,angel of ,death shall carry me4 --,nancy ,a4 ,w4 ,priest4 ,so much occurred1 and so rapidly1 from the very hour of my entrance within the beautiful gates1 that it is impossible for me to transcribe it all4 ,i have been able only to cull here and there incidents that happened day by day2 and in so doing many things ,i would gladly have related have unconsciously been omitted4 ,of the many dear friends ,i met1 only a very few have been mentioned1 for the reason that1 of necessity1 such meetings are so similar in many respects that the constant repetition1 in detail1 would become wearisome4 ,i have aimed principally to give such incidents as would show the beautiful domestic life in that happy world2 to make apparent the reverence and love all hearts feel toward the blessed ,trinity for every good and perfect gift1 and to show forth the marvelous power of the ,christ-love even in the life beyond the grave4 ,this world1 strange and new to me1 held multitudes of those ,i had loved in the years gone by1 and there was scarcely an hour that did not renew for me the ties that once were severed in the mortal life4 ,i remember that as ,i was walking one day in the neighborhood of ,mrs4 ,wickham's home1 shortly after my first memorable visit there1 ,i was attracted by an unpretentious but very beautiful house1 almost hidden by luxuriant climbing rose vines1 whose flowers of creamy whiteness were beyond compare with any roses ,i had yet seen in earth or heaven4 ,meeting ,mrs4 ,wickham1 ,i pointed to the house and asked3 ,who lives there8 ,suppose you go over and see1 she said4 ,is it any one ,i know8 ,i asked4 ,i fancy so4 ,see1 someone is even now at the door as though expecting you4 ,i crossed over the snowy walk and flowery turf--for the house stood in an angle formed by two paths crossing1 almost opposite ,mrs4 ,wickham's--and before ,i could ascend the steps ,i found myself in the embrace of two loving arms4 ,bertha ,sprague6 ,i was sure it was you when ,i saw you go to ,mrs4 ,wickham's a day or two ago4 ,did not she tell you ,i was here8 ,she had no opportunity until to-day1 ,i said4 ,but dear ,aunt ,ann1 ,i should have found you soon2 ,i am sure you know that4 ,yes1 ,i am sure you would4 ,then ,i recounted to her something of my visit to ,mrs4 ,wickham's that eventful day4 ,she listened with her dear face full of sympathy1 then said3 ,there1 dear1 you need not tell me4 ,do ,i not know8 ,when the ,master comes to gladden my eyes1 ,i have no thought or care for anything beyond1 for days and days6 ,oh1 the joy1 the peace of knowing ,i am safe in this blessed haven6 ,how far beyond all our earthly dreams is this divine life6 ,she sat for a moment lost in thought1 then said wistfully3 ,now1 tell me of my children--are they coming8 ,i gladdened her heart with all the cheering news ,i could bring of her loved ones2 and so we talked the hours away1 recalling many sweet memories of the earth-life1 of friends and home and family ties1 and looking forward to the future coming to us of those whom even the joys of heaven could not banish from our hearts4 ,then also another evening1 as the soft twilight fell1 and many of our dear home circle were gathered with us in the great flower-room1 we heard a step upon the veranda1 and as my brother went to the open door a gentle voice said3 ,is ,mrs4 ,sprague really here8 ,she is really here4 ,come and see for yourself4 ,and sweet ,mary ,green entered the room4 ,i am so glad to welcome you home6 she said1 coming to me with extended hands1 and looking into mine with her tender1 earnest eyes4 ,my precious girl6 ,i cried1 taking her to my heart in a warm embrace4 ,i have been asking about you1 and longing to see you4 ,i could scarcely wait to reach here when ,i heard that you had come4 ,now1 tell me everything--everything6 she said as ,i drew her to a seat close beside me4 ,but questions asked and the answers given are too sacred for rehearsal here4 ,every individual member of her dear home-circle was discussed1 and many were the incidents she recounted to me that had occurred in her presence when her mother and ,i were together and talking of the dear child we considered far removed from our presence4 ,i was often so close that ,i could have touched you with my hand1 had the needed power been given1 she said4 ,after a long1 close converse had been held between us1 ,i took her to the library1 whither the rest had gone to examine a new book just that day received4 ,i introduced her to them all as the daughter of dear friends still on earth1 confident of the welcome she would receive4 ,my youngest sister and she at once became interested in each other1 finding congeniality in many of their daily pursuits1 and ,i was glad to believe they would henceforth see much of each other in many different ways4 ,there was no measurement of time as we measure it here1 although many still spoke in the old-time language of months and days and years4 ,i have no way of describing it as it seemed to me then4 ,there were periods1 and allotted times2 there were hours for happy duties1 hours for joyful pleasures1 and hours for holy praise4 ,i only know it was all harmony1 all joy1 all peace1 at all times and in all conditions4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,there is an endearing tenderness in the love of a mother to a son1 that transcends all other affections of the heart4 ,it is neither to be chilled by selfishness1 nor daunted by danger1 nor weakened by worthlessness1 nor stifled by ingratitude4 ,she will sacrifice every comfort to his convenience2 she will surrender every pleasure to his enjoyment2 she will glory in his fame1 and exult in his prosperity2 and if adversity overtake him1 he will be the dearer to her by misfortune2 and if disgrace settle upon his name1 she will still love and cherish him2 and if all the world beside cast him off1 she will be all the world to him4--,washington ,irving4 ,the current of my life flowed on in the heavenly ways1 until the months began to lengthen into years and my daily studies ascended higher in the scale of celestial mysteries4 ,i never wearied of study1 though much was taught and gained through the medium of observation in the journeys that ,i was permitted to take with my brother into different parts of the heavenly kingdom4 ,i never lacked time for social pleasures and enjoyments1 for there is no clashing of duties with inclination1 no unfulfilled desires1 no vain strivings for the unattainable in that life1 as in the life of earth4 ,many precious hours of intercourse were spent in my dear father's home1 and sometimes on rare occasions ,i was permitted to accompany him to his field of labor and assist him in instructing those lately come into the new life with little or no preparation for its duties and responsibilities4 ,on one occasion he said to me3 ,i have the most difficult problem to deal with ,i have ever yet met in this work4 ,it is how to enlighten and help a man who suddenly plunged from an apparently honorable life into the very depths of crime4 ,i have never been able to get him to accompany me to the river1 where these earthly cobwebs would be swept from his poor brain2 his excuse being always that ,god's mercy is so great in allowing him inside heaven's gates at all1 that he is content to remain always in its lowest scale of enjoyment and life4 ,no argument or teaching thus far can make him alter his decision4 ,he was led astray by infatuation for a strange woman1 and killed his aged mother in order to secure her jewels for this wretched creature4 ,he was executed for the crime1 of which in the end he sincerely repented1 but he left life with all the horror of the deed clinging to his soul4 ,has he seen his mother since coming here8 ,does she know of his arrival8 ,no2 she is entirely alone in this world1 and it was not thought wise to tell her of his coming till his soul was in a better condition to receive her4 ,he was an only child1 and does not lack the elements of refinement1 but he was completely under the control of this vile though fascinating woman4 ,it is said she drugged his wine and incited him to do the dreadful deed while under its influence1 because of her hatred for his mother1 whose influence was against her4 ,when he came from under the influence of the wine1 he was horrified at what he had done1 and his infatuation for the woman turned to loathing--but1 alas1 too late6 ,he would not see her during his entire incarceration4 ,how long was he in prison8 ,almost a year4 ,has he seen the ,christ8 ,no2 he begs not to see him4 ,he is very repentant1 and grateful to be saved from the wrath he feels was his just punishment1 but though he is conscious that his sin is forgiven1 he does not yet feel that he can ever stand in the presence of the ,holy ,one4 ,and here1 as upon earth1 each must be willing to receive him4 ,his presence is never given undesired4 ,i have not yet appealed for higher help2 my ambition is to lead these weak souls upward through the strength entrusted to me4 ,can you suggest anything that would probably reach him8 ,his mother4 ,may ,i bring her8 ,he thought a moment reflectively1 then said3 ,a woman's intuition4 ,yes1 bring her4 ,illustration3 ,o sweet and blessed country1 ,o sweet and blessed country1 ,the home of ,god's elect6 ,o sweet and blessed country ,that eager hearts expect6 ,there stand those halls of ,zion ,all jubilant with song1 ,and bright with many an angel1 ,and all the martyr throng4 ,i soon was on my way4 ,i found the poor woman1 laid the facts gently before her1 and waited her decision4 ,there was no hesitancy upon her part2 in an instant she said1 ,my poor boy6 ,certainly ,i will go with you at once4 ,we found my father waiting for us1 and went immediately to the great ,home where these students--would we call them8--stayed4 ,it was a beautiful great building in the midst of a park1 with shaded walks and fountains and flowers everywhere4 ,to one just freed from earth it seemed a paradise indeed2 but to those of us who had tasted heaven's rarer joys1 something was wanting4 ,we missed the lovely individual homes1 the little children playing on the lawns1 the music of the angel choir2 it was tame indeed beside the pleasures we had tasted4 ,we found the young man seated beneath one of the flower-laden trees1 intently perusing a book that my father had left with him4 ,there was a peaceful look on his pale face1 but it was rather the look of patient resignation than of ardent joy4 ,his mother approached him alone2 my father and ,i remaining in the background4 ,after a little time he glanced up and saw his mother standing near him4 ,a startled look came into his face1 and he rose to his feet4 ,she extended her arms toward him1 and cried out pathetically1 ,john1 my dear boy1 come home to me--,i need you6 ,that was all4 ,with a low cry he knelt at her feet and clasped her knees1 sobbing3 ,mother6 mother6 ,she stooped and put her tender arms about him2 she drew his head gently to her breast and showered kisses on his bowed head4 ,oh1 the warm mother-love1 the same in earth and heaven6 ,only the ,christ-love can exceed it4 ,here was this outraged mother1 sent into eternity by the hands of him who should have shielded and sustained her1 bending above her repentant son with the mother-love with which her heart was overflowing shining upon him from her gentle eyes4 ,i saw my father turn his head to conceal his emotion1 and ,i knew that my own eyes were wet4 ,my father had explained to the mother that the first thing to be accomplished was to get her son to the river1 so we now heard her say caressingly3 ,come1 ,john1 my boy1 take the first step upward1 for your mother's sake1 that in time ,i may have the joy of seeing you in our own home4 ,come1 ,john1 with mother4 ,she gently drew him1 and to our great joy we saw him rise and go with her1 and their steps led them to the river4 ,they walked hand in hand1 and as far as we could see them she seemed to be soothing and comforting him4 ,thank ,god6 said my father fervently4 ,there will be no further trouble now4 ,when they return he will see with clearer vision4 ,and so it proved4 ,after this1 by divine permission1 ,i became much of the time a co-laborer with my father1 and thus enjoyed his society and his instructions much oftener than otherwise ,i could have done4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,some day1 we say1 and turn our eyes ,toward the fair hills of ,paradise2 ,some day1 some time1 a sweet new rest ,shall blossom1 flower-like1 in each breast4 ,some day1 some time1 our eyes shall see ,the faces kept in memory2 ,some day their hand shall clasp our hand1 ,just over in the ,morning-land-- ,o ,morning-land6 ,o ,morning-land6 --,edward ,h4 ,phelps4 ,one evening1 some three years--counted by the calendar of earth--after ,i had entered upon the joys and duties of the heavenly life1 ,i sat resting upon the upper veranda of our home1 after a somewhat arduous journey to a distant city of the heavenly realm4 ,from this part of the veranda we caught rare glimpses of the river through the overhanging branches of the trees2 and just below us1 at a little distance1 we could see the happy children at their play upon the lawn4 ,here my brother sought me out1 and throwing himself upon a soft veranda lounge near1 lay for a time motionless and silent4 ,he looked as wearied as one can ever look in that life1 but ,i felt no anxiety about him1 for ,i knew the rest was sure4 ,he had been absent on some earth-mission much of the time for many days1 and ,i knew from experience that some of the fatigue and care of earth will cling to us on such occasions1 till we are restored by heaven's balmy air and life-giving waters4 ,he had not told me1 as he sometimes did1 where his mission had led him1 and ,i had not asked him1 feeling sure that all it was best ,i should know would be imparted4 ,my own duties had of late been unusually responsible1 leading me daily to a distant part of the heavenly kingdom1 hence ,i myself had not visited the beloved of earth for a much longer period than usually elapsed between my visits4 ,when last seen1 all of the dear ones had seemed in such vigorous health and were so surrounded by earthly blessings that ,i had ceased to feel they needed my ministrations as in the early days of their sorrow1 hence ,i had thrown all of my energies into the work assigned me by the ,master4 ,at length1 after a time of rest1 my brother arose to a sitting posture1 and regarding me for a moment in silence1 said gently3 ,i have news for you1 little sister4 ,a thrill like an electric shock passed through me1 and in an instant ,i cried out joyously3 ,he is coming6 ,he nodded his head1 with a sympathetic smile1 but did not at once reply4 ,when will it be8 ,am ,i to go to him8 ,i asked4 ,he hesitated an instant before saying3 ,of course you are permitted to go1 if your heart will not be denied4 ,oh1 ,i must go to him6 ,i must be the first to greet him6 ,perhaps it may be granted him to see me even while he is yet in the flesh4 ,he shook his head sadly at this1 and said1 ,no1 dear2 he will not know you4 ,why8 ,frank1 tell me all--and why you think1 as ,i plainly see you do1 that it is not best ,i should go4 ,he was stricken suddenly in the midst of his work1 while apparently in perfect health1 and has not regained consciousness since2 nor will he ever on earth4 ,hence your presence could be no solace to him4 ,when was this8 ,three days ago2 ,i have been with him almost constantly by day and night ever since4 ,oh1 why did you not sooner tell me8 ,it was thought wise to spare you the unnecessary pain of seeing him suffer when you could not minister to him1 and ,i have come to tell you now that you may go if you still so desire4 ,he will know me as soon as the struggle is past8 ,yes1 but he will be bewildered and weak2 he will need stronger help and guidance than you alone can give1 and you will miss the rapture of the meeting as it would be a little later on4 ,what would you have me do8 ,you know ,i will yield to your wiser judgment even against the pleadings of my heart4 ,but ,i can wait6 ,i will not say1 'do not go4' ,you shall accompany me if you wish4 ,i only think that after the first bewilderment of the change has passed1 after he has bathed in the waters of the ,river of ,life1 he will be better prepared for the delightful reunion which awaits him4 ,you remember what the waters did for you1 and how bewildered and oppressed in spirit you were till you went with me that morning1 into the river4 ,it is the same with all of us1 only where there has been serious trouble with the brain at last1 it is even more needed than on ordinary occasions4 ,and that is the case with my brother2 he will not be fully himself until the magical waters have swept the clouds from his brain4 ,you are always right1 my brother1 and ,i will yield to your wise advice1 although my heart cries out to hasten at once to his side4 ,when will you return to him8 ,immediately4 ,there will be little time to wait4 ,with the quickening of the morning light we will be here4 ,my brave-hearted1 wise little sister1 the delay will be to you neither sorrowful nor long4 ,he arose1 and1 bending over me1 dropped a kiss lightly on my brow1 and in a moment he had passed from my sight4 ,how strange1 ,i thought1 that even in this matter1 so near to my heart1 ,i am able to yield unmurmuringly6 ,father1 ,i thank ,thee6 ,i thank ,thee for the glad reunion so near at hand2 but1 even more than that1 for the sweet submission in all things that has grown into my life2 that ,i can yield to ,thy will even when ,thou wouldst permit it to be otherwise4 ,i bowed my head upon my hand and gave myself up to mingled sad and happy thoughts4 ,was he1 this dearly loved one1 indeed insensible to his suffering8 ,would the ,father mercifully spare him even the pang of the parting8 ,oh1 that the morning were here6 ,how could ,i wait even that brief while for the sight of the beloved face6 ,suddenly a soft touch rested upon my bowed head1 and a ,voice ,i had learned to recognize and love beyond all things in earth or heaven said3 ,have ,i not said truly1 ',though he were dead1 yet shall he live again'8 ,what are now the years of separation1 since the meeting again is at hand8 ,come1 and let us reason a little together1 the ,master said1 smiling down into my uplifted face4 ,he took my extended hand into his own1 and sitting down beside me1 continued3 ,let us consider what these years have done for you4 ,do you not feel that you are infinitely better prepared to confer happiness than when you parted from him you love8 ,i nodded in glad affirmation4 ,do you not realize that you stand upon a higher plane1 with more exalted ideas of life and its duties2 and that1 in the strength of the ,father1 you two henceforward will walk upward together8 ,again ,i gladly acquiesced4 ,is the home-life here less attractive than it was in the earth-life8 ,no1 no6 ,a thousand times no6 ,i cried4 ,then there is nothing but joy in the reunion at hand8 ,nothing but joy1 ,i echoed4 ,then the ,savior led me on to talk of the one so soon to come1 and ,i opened my glad heart to him and told him of the noble life1 the unselfish toil1 the high aspirations1 the unfaltering trust of him ,i loved4 ,i spoke of his fortitude in misfortune1 his courage in the face of sore trial and disappointment1 his forgiveness of even malicious injury2 and concluded by saying1 ,he lived the ,christianity many others professed4 ,he always distanced me in that4 ,the face of the ,master glowed in sympathy as ,i talked1 and when ,i ceased he said3 ,i perceive that you have discovered the secret which makes marriage eternal as the years of heaven4 ,oh1 ,i said1 to me marriage must be eternal6 ,how could it be otherwise when two grow together and become as one8 ,death cannot separate them without destroying2 they are no longer two perfect beings1 but one in soul and spirit forever4 ,aye1 he answered2 but having the marriage rite pronounced does not produce this change4 ,it is the divinity of soul wedded to soul alone that can do it4 ,so he led me on until my soul flew upward as a lark in the early morning4 ,he unfolded to me mysteries of the soul-life that filled my heart with rapture1 but which ,i may not here reveal4 ,at length1 to my infinite surprise1 ,i saw the rosy glow deepening across the sky1 and knew that morning--love's morning--had dawned for me in heaven4 ,the ,master arose1 and pointing to the radiance1 said3 ,by the time thou art ready to receive them they will be here2 and with a smile1 and a touch that made a benediction1 he departed4 ,as ,i arose and stood with face uplifted to the coming day1 ,i caught in the near distance the triumphant notes of the angels' choral song2 and this morning1 as though in sympathy with my thought1 they sang3 ,he is risen6 ,hear it1 ye heavens1 and ye sons of earth6 ,he is risen1 and has become the firstfruits of them that slept6 ,i lifted up my voice with joy1 and joined their thrilling song2 and as they swept onward and the cadence died away1 ,i slowly descended the stairway1 crossed the lawn whose flowers never crushed or withered beneath our feet1 and sank for a moment beneath the pure waters of the river4 ,i felt no haste1 no unwonted excitement or unrest1 though ,i knew that he was coming for whom my soul had waited all these years4 ,the ,master's presence had filled me with calm and peace that nothing had power to disturb2 had prepared and fitted me for the great happiness lying just before me4 ,uplifted with a new1 strange delight1 ,i recrossed the lawn1 stopping upon the veranda before entering the house1 to gather a knot of cream-white roses and fasten them to my breast4 ,then going to the library1 ,i refilled the golden bowl with the spicy-breathed scarlet carnations1 laying one aside to fasten upon my husband's shoulder4 ,i wanted to myself gather the flowers that would greet him on his coming4 ,i twisted up my hair in the manner that he had most admired1 and fastened a creamy bud within the folds1 that ,i might seem to him as ,i had of old4 ,soon thereafter ,i heard voices and steps4 ,listen6 ,yes1 it is the same dear step for which ,i had so often listened in the old home-life1 the step that had always brought gladness to my heart1 and sunshine in our home6 ,his step in heaven6 ,i flew to the open doorway1 and in an instant was held close in the strong arms and to the loving1 throbbing heart of my dear husband4 ,was there anything more for me that heaven could give6 ,my brother1 with thoughtful care1 passed onward to the upper rooms of the house1 and for awhile we were alone together1 we whose lives had run1 so happily mingled1 through the long years of our mortal life4 ,i drew him within the house1 and in the vestibule again he took me in his arms and drew me to his heart4 ,this is heaven indeed6 he said4 ,we passed into the flower-room1 and on its threshold he stood a moment1 entranced with its beauty2 but when ,i would have related to him its history1 as my brother had given it to me1 he said3 ,not to-day1 my dear2 ,i have only eyes and ears for you to-day2 all else in heaven must wait4 ,so we sat and talked together as in the olden days1 and the happy hours came and went1 and the day melted into the twilight glow1 before we realized it was half spent4 ,our brother ,frank had come to us about the noontide1 and together we had gone over the lovely house1 had stood upon the broad verandas and eaten of the heavenly fruit4 ,then we all sat together where ,i had spent the hours waiting in the presence of the blessed ,master4 ,i told them much that he then had said to me1 and how he turned into triumphant rejoicing the hours which ,i had anticipated would pass in lonely waiting4 ,the eyes of my dear husband were tear-filled1 and he pressed my hand1 which he still kept in his1 in tender sympathy4 ,oh1 darling1 it is a blessed1 blessed life6 ,i said4 ,i already realize the blessedness1 he replied1 for has it not given me back my brother and my wife--my precious wife6 ,early the following morning ,i said to my husband and our brother3 ,we must go to father and mother ,sprague's to-day4 ,they have the first claim1 after ours1 ,frank4 ,yes1 we will go at once1 they both replied4 ,so together we all started4 ,in the earliest days of my heavenly life ,i had sought out with much joy the home of my husband's parents1 and was by them accorded1 as in the earth-life1 a warm place in their hearts1 and many happy hours had we spent together since4 ,now we were taking to them a favorite son1 and ,i realized how his coming would bring gladness to their hearts and home4 ,it was a joyful meeting1 especially to our mother1 and the day was far spent before we arose to return4 ,william1 said our mother1 fondly laying her hand upon his arm1 yours was a happy home on earth--,i used to think a perfect home2 it will be far happier here1 with a loving glance at me4 ,i am sure of that1 mother4 ,i have my dear wife and ,frank constantly with me2 and you and my father and ,josephine--a favorite niece--to come to here2 and after awhile1 with a little hesitation1 the holier joys and privileges of heaven4 ,we turned to go1 and upon the threshold met an aunt who in the earth-life--blind and helpless--had been a favorite with us all4 ,my dear children1 she exclaimed1 how good it seems to see you all again6 ,aunt ,cynthia6 my husband said fondly4 ,yes1 ,aunt ,cynthia1 but no longer groping helpless in the darkness4 ',whereas ,i once was blind1 now ,i see1' she quoted1 smiling happily4 ,and so it was--the ,master's touch had rested on the sightless eyes1 and1 closing to the darkness of earth1 they had opened upon the glories of heaven4 ,marvelous transition6 ,no wonder we left her singing3 ,glory to ,him who this marvel hath wrought1 ,filling my spirit with joy and delight6 ,lo1 in my blindness ,i safely have walked ,out of the darkness into the light6 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,down by the sea1 the crystal sea1 ,where all of the redeemed shall be1 ,where you and ,i1 beloved1 shall go1 ,our crimson robes washed white as snow ,in ,christ's dear blood--what hymns of praise ,thro' countless ages we shall raise6 ,there all our loved ones we shall see-- ,think what a meeting that will be ,down by the sea6 --,from ,songs by the ,sea4 ,days lengthened into weeks1 and weeks into months1 and these in turn crept onward into years1 and the duties and joys of heaven grew clearer and dearer with each passing hour4 ,our home-life was perfect1 though we looked forward with joy to the future coming of our son and daughter to make its ties complete4 ,we had often spoken of going together to the great celestial sea1 but the time had never seemed quite ripe for so doing4 ,we realized it was one of the great mysteries of heaven1 although we knew not just what to expect1 since there no one ever seeks to forestall sight by description4 ,one evening ,i said to my brother3 ,i have a strange desire to go to the sea1 if you think it wise that we should do so4 ,i am glad that it is your desire to go1 as it is mine to have you4 ,i was about to propose that you and my brother should take together this blessed journey4 ,will you not accompany us8 ,not at this time4 ,we will all take it again together1 but it is best that now you two should go alone4 ,you know the way4 ,through the forest that leads to the ,temple1 till almost there2 then bear to the right and follow the golden path that takes you direct to the shore4 ,so1 in the quivering light of the glorious morning we started1 full of a holy joy that together we might take this special journey4 ,we entered and traversed the great forest1 where the golden light fell through the quivering branches overhead1 and birds of gorgeous plumage and thrilling song were darting everywhere4 ,we heard1 nearer and ever nearer1 the regular dashing of the waves against the shore2 and now there came to us bursts of triumphant song and the harmony of many instruments of music4 ,at length we emerged from the forest1 and stood mute and motionless before the overwhelming glory of the scene before us4 ,can ,i describe it as it appeared to me that day8 ,never1 until my lips can speak1 and your heart understand1 the language of the royal courts above4 ,from our very feet sloped downward toward the shore a golden strand many hundred feet wide1 and extending on either hand far beyond the limits of our vision4 ,this strand caught and radiated the morning light until wherever it was visible it glittered and glimmered like the dust of diamonds and other precious stones1 and the waves1 as they came and went in ceaseless motion1 caught up this sparking sand and carried it on their crests1 like the phosphorescence we sometimes see in the wake of a vessel in mid-ocean4 ,and the sea6 ,it spread out before us in a radiance that passes description in any language ,i have ever known4 ,it was like the white glory that shone through the windows of the ,temple1 and beneath this shining glory we caught in the roll of the waves the blue tint of the waters of that sea which has no limit to its depths or bounds4 ,upon its shining bosom we saw in every direction boats1 representing all nations1 but in beauty of construction far surpassing anything earth has ever known4 ,they were like great open pleasure-barges1 and were filled with people looking with eager faces toward the shore1 many in their eagerness standing erect and gazing with wistful1 expectant eyes into the faces of those upon the shore4 ,ah1 the people upon the shore6 ,numberless as the sands of the sea1 they stood1 far as the eye could reach1 far as stretched the shore of that illimitable sea1 a great mass of beautiful souls clad in the spotless garments of the redeemed4 ,many among them had golden harps and various instruments of music1 and whenever a boat touched the shore and its inmates were welcomed by the glad voices and tender embraces of their beloved ones in the throng1 the harps would be held aloft1 all of the golden instruments would sound1 and the vast multitude would break forth into the triumphant song of victory over death and the grave4 ,do these people stand here always1 ,i wonder8 ,i said softly4 ,not the same people1 said a radiant being near us1 who had heard my question4 ,but there is always a throng of people here--those who are expecting friends from the other life1 and those who assemble to share their joy4 ,some of the heavenly choristers also are always here1 but not always the same ones4 ,you will notice that most of those who arrive are led quietly away by their friends1 and many others are constantly joining the multitude4 ,he passed onward toward the shore1 and left us rapt in awe and wonder4 ,we soon became deeply interested in watching the reunions1 and found ourselves joining with rapture in the glad songs of rejoicing4 ,now and then a face we remembered to have seen on earth would be among the eager faces in the boats1 but none that had been especially dear to us2 still it made us notice more closely and sympathize more heartily with those who welcomed beloved friends4 ,now we would see a wife caught in the close embrace of a waiting husband2 now a little child with a glad cry would spring into the outstretched arms of the happy mother2 friend would clasp friend in glad reunion1 and here an aged mother would be folded to the heart of a beloved child4 ,as one boat of more than usual strength and beauty came riding gracefully over the waves1 we observed the tall figure of a man standing near her prow with his arms about a graceful woman who stood by his side4 ,each shaded with uplifted hand from their dazzled eyes the unwonted splendor and scanned1 wistfully and searchingly1 the faces of the crowd as the boat neared the shore4 ,suddenly with a great thrill of joy surging through my being1 ,i cried out3 ,it is our precious son1 and his dear wife6 ,and they have come together6 ,in an instant we were swiftly moving through the throng that parted in ready sympathy to let us pass4 ,and1 as the boat touched the shore1 with a swift movement they were both beside us--the dear daughter already close clasped to the hearts of her own happy parents who were waiting near the water's edge1 while at the same instant we felt the arms of our beloved son enfolding us2 and soon thereafter we were all in each other's embrace4 ,oh1 what a rapturous moment was that6 ,our home life in heaven complete1 no partings forever6 ,as we stood with encircling arms1 scarcely realizing the unexpected bliss1 the heavenly choir broke into song2 and with uplifted faces radiant with joy1 eyes filled with happy tears and voices trembling with emotion1 we all joined in the glad anthem3 ,glory be unto the ,father1 and unto the ,son6 ,glory be unto the ever-blessed ,three in ,one6 ,no more sorrow1 no more parting1 no more grief or pain2 ,christ has broken death's strong fetters1 we are free again6 ,heart to heart and hand to hand1 ,meet we on the golden strand4 ,glory1 glory to the ,father6 ,glory to the ,son6 ,glory be unto the ever-blessed ,three in ,one6 ,alleluia6 ,amen6 ,the song rose and swelled triumphantly as the vast multitude caught it up1 and the surge of the waves made a deep undertone to the melody that increased its solemnity1 as with bowed heads and full hearts we passed onward hand in hand2 and the light that fell about us was purer1 holier1 more divine1 than it had ever been before4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,can such things be1 ,and overcome us like a summer's cloud1 ,without our special wonder8 --,shakespeare4 ,a time came when one day as ,i stood in my lovely room that had really become to me a shrine1 and looked up into the pictured face of the ,christ above me1 ,i fancied that the tender eyes looking down into mine no longer told of a deathless love alone1 but carried in their depths a pity1 a loving compassion which ,i had never noticed there before4 ,then as ,i turned toward my couch ,i even fancied that his hands reached out from the canvas and rested in benediction on my head4 ,i stood a moment in blessed peace before him1 then as the hands seemed to be withdrawn1 ,i turned and lay down for an instant's rest4 ,but strange thoughts and fancies crept into my brain1 such as ,i had not known in years4 ,i felt confused and bewildered1 and started up restlessly from my pillow1 only to fall back again in doubt1 and something akin to dread4 ,what could it mean8 ,could the old unrest of earth find place in this divine retreat8 ,then ,i heard unfamiliar voices4 ,someone said3 ,her color is better than it has been for several days1 ,i think4 ,yes1 there is no doubt but she is better to-day4 ,there is really hope for her now1 ,i am sure4 ,but she came very near passing through the ,gates4 ,very near passing through the ,gates6 ,as though ,i had not passed through1 and in returning left them so ajar that gleams of the heavenly radiance from beyond them will fall about my life forever6 ,i have been in my ,father's house4 ,we shall know each other there6 ,,supplemental ,,chapter ,in the many letters received since the publication of ,intra ,muros1 repeated inquiries have been made of me on different points contained in the book1 requiring much correspondence1 and it has been suggested that possibly the addition of a few pages1 as a supplement to the book1 might explain some matters1 or1 possibly1 make more clear some points that have not been fully comprehended by the reader4 ,let me in the beginning reassert what ,i have heretofore stated3 that ,i have never claimed that this strange experience is either a revelation or an inspiration4 ,it came to me during a period of great physical suffering and prostration1 and ,i have always considered it as sent in compensation for that suffering4 ,be this as it may1 it has been a great comfort and help to me1 and1 through the letters received from others1 ,i am led to believe it has been the same to many who have read it1 for which cause ,i am extremely gratified4 ,i wish that ,i might give the entire experience just as it came to me1 but ,i find that earth-language is wholly inadequate for me to do so4 ,there were so many mysteries1 so many teachings far beyond anything that in this life we have known1 that ,i find myself bewildered and lost when ,i attempt to convey to others the marvelous things that at that time seemed indeed to me to be a most wonderful revelation4 ,the question has repeatedly been asked me1 ,was this a real experience1 or merely a fanciful sketch8 ,what ,i have written above will as nearly answer that question as it is possible for me to do4 ,the preface and early pages as given in the little volume are as nearly accurate as ,i can make them2 and anything that ,i might add on that point would simply be superfluous4 ,to me1 at the time1 it was as real as any experience in this life could possibly be4 ,questions have been asked respecting the comparative distances in heaven and our powers of passing from one point to another2 and the question has even been asked if in the other life we developed wings that aided us in passage1 as the wings of a bird4 ,these matter-of-fact questions are sometimes quite difficult to answer1 for my belief is1 that if ,i were really in the other life1 as during this experience ,i seemed to be1 my thoughts would be so far above1 so lifted beyond such temporal matters1 that ,i would be unable to answer such inquiries satisfactorily on my return to this life4 ,looking back upon it now1 and trying to gather facts from the impressions that ,i then received1 ,i should say that none who have ever passed through mortal life would in any way be changed from their present personal appearance1 except to be etherealized and glorified4 ,when ,i seemed to stand in that wonderful ,temple filled with the ,glory of ,god the ,father1 four angels with uplifted trumpets stood beside the golden altar on the great platform of pearl1 and from their shoulders shadowy pinions enfolded them and touched the floor upon which they stood4 ,and when1 in a moment of bewildering emotion1 ,i lifted my eyes to the erstwhile cloud-filled dome1 ,i saw about the hitherto invisible choir1 the shadowy pinions of which we so often read1 half concealing the harps and instruments of gold4 ,also1 when at the close of that wonderful day when ,i had first met the ,savior1 we heard the angel voices as we stood together in the great flower-room1 and1 looking upward1 saw the child faces in the golden twilight above us1 they1 too1 had delicate shadowy wings1 half concealing the baby forms4 ,except for this1 ,i have no recollection of having seen any of those glorious wings of which we so often read4 ,to me it seems that to the angels of ,god who have always lived in heaven1 these are given2 but to those who have suffered and toiled and borne the cross below1 is given only the glorified form1 such as our ,savior himself bore4 ,we appear to our friends when we meet them over there just as they saw us here1 only purified and perfect4 ,still1 we had powers of locomotion given us that carried us from point to point swiftly and securely1 as though borne by a boat upon the waters4 ,i do not know how ,i can better illustrate this point than by giving a little incident not mentioned in the book4 ,i remember1 as ,i sat one morning upon the upper terrace in the house of my sister whom ,i had welcomed there soon after my arrival1 and who1 though really then a denizen of earth1 has since passed over and taken possession of that beautiful home prepared for her1 that my sister said to me3 ,i often look across the river to those lovely hills in the distance1 and wonder if it is all as beautiful there as here4 ,i mean some day to go and see4 ,why not go to-day8 was my answer4 ,could you go with me this morning8 was her inquiry1 as she turned her radiant face again toward the river and the lovely fields beyond4 ,with pleasure1 ,i replied4 ,i have often wished to go myself4 ,there is something very inviting in the beautiful landscape beyond the river4 ,where is my brother ,oliver8 ,i asked2 will he not accompany us8 ,no1 she said1 looking smilingly toward me1 he has gone upon an important mission for the ,master to-day2 but you and ,i1 dear1 can go1 and be at home again before his return4 ,then let us do so1 ,i replied1 rising and giving her my hand4 ,she at once arose1 and1 instead of turning toward the stairway in the center of the building1 we turned and walked deliberately to the low coping that surrounded the upper veranda4 ,without a moment's hesitation we stepped over this into the sweet air that lay about us4 ,there was no more fear of falling than if our feet had been upon the solid earth4 ,we had the power of passing through the air at will1 and through the water1 just as we had the power of walking upon the crystal paths and greensward about us4 ,we ascended slightly until we were just above the tree-tops1 and then--what shall ,i say8--we did not fly1 we made no effort either with our hands or our feet2 ,i can only think of the word drifting that will at all describe this wonderful experience4 ,we went as a leaf or a feather floats through the air on a balmy day1 and the sensation was most delightful4 ,we saw beneath us through the green branches of the trees the little children playing1 and the people walking--some for pleasure1 some for duty4 ,as we neared the river we looked down on the pleasure-boats upon the water and upon the people sitting or lying or walking on the pebbly bottom2 and we saw them with the same distinctness as though we were looking at them simply through the atmosphere4 ,conversing as we drifted onward1 we soon were over the tops of the hills to which we had looked so longingly from the veranda of my sister's house1 and1 for some time1 we had no words to exchange2 our hearts were filled with sensations such as only the scenes of heaven can give4 ,then my sister said very softly1 quoting from one of the old earth-hymns3 ,sweet fields beyond the swelling flood4 ,stand dressed in living green4 ,and1 in the same spirit1 ,i answered1 ,it is indeed a rapturous scene-- ',that rises to our sight1 ,sweet fields arrayed in living green1 and rivers of delight4' ,as we passed onward1 in looking down we began to see many suburban villages1 similar to that in which our own happy homes were situated4 ,among many of them there was an unfamiliar air1 and the architecture of the buildings in many respects seemed quite different from our own4 ,i suggested to my sister that we drop downward a little4 ,on doing so1 we soon realized what caused this apparent difference in the architecture and surroundings4 ,where our homes were situated we were surrounded by people we had known and loved on earth1 and of our own nationality4 ,many of these villages over which we were now passing we found were formed from what1 to us1 would be termed of foreign nations1 and each village retained some of the peculiarities of its earth-life1 and these1 to us1 were naturally unfamiliar4 ,we recognized again the wisdom and goodness of the ,father in thus allowing friends of the same nationality to be located near each other in heaven1 as on earth4 ,as we still drifted onward1 in passing over an exquisitely beautiful valley1 between low hills of the most enchanting verdure1 we saw a group of people seated upon the ground in a semicircle4 ,they seemed to be hundreds in number1 and in their midst a man was standing who1 apparently1 was talking to them4 ,something familiar1 and yet unfamiliar1 in the scene attracted us1 and ,i said1 ,let us go nearer1 and hear1 if possible1 what he is saying1 and see who these people are4 ,upon doing this we found the people to resemble in a great measure our own ,indian tribes2 their dress1 in a manner1 corresponding to that worn upon earth1 though so etherealized as to be surpassingly beautiful4 ,but the dusky faces and the long black hair still remained4 ,the faces1 with intense interest depicted on each1 were turned toward the man who1 we could see1 was talking to them1 and1 looking upon him1 we saw at once that he belonged to the ,anglo-,saxon race4 ,in a whisper of surprise ,i said to my sister3 ,why1 he is a missionary6 ,as so often seemed to me to happen in that experience1 when a surprise or a difficulty presented itself1 there was always some one near to answer and enlighten us4 ,and so we found on this occasion that our instructor was beside us ready to answer any surprise or question that might be asked4 ,he said at once3 ,yes1 you are right4 ,this is a missionary who gave his life to what on earth were called the heathen4 ,he spent many years in working for them and enlightening those who sat in darkness1 with the result1 as you see before you1 of bringing hundreds into the kingdom of the ,master4 ,but1 as you will naturally suppose1 they have much to learn1 and here he still gathers them about him1 and day by day leads them higher and higher into the blessed life4 ,are there many such1 ,i asked1 doing this work in this beautiful realm8 ,many hundreds1 he said4 ,to these poor minds1 unenlightened as they were when they first came1 heaven is as beautiful and happy a place as it is to any who have ascended higher1 simply because we can enjoy only in the capacity to which our souls can reach4 ,there are none of us who have not much yet to learn of this wonderful country4 ,in several instances1 as we drifted across above the villages1 we heard songs of praise arising from the temples1 and from people collected in different ways4 ,in many cases1 to our surprise1 the hymns and the words were those with which we had been familiar on earth1 and1 although sung in a strange tongue1 we understood them all4 ,that was another of the wonderful surprises of heaven4 ,there was no language there that we could not understand4 ,on1 and on1 and on1 through wonderful scenes of beauty we passed1 returning finally to our own homes by a different way from that by which we had gone forth1 seeming to have made almost a circle in our pleasant journeyings4 ,when ,i left my sister in her own home she whispered to me as she bade me good-by for the present3 ,it has been a day of such wonderful rest and pleasure that we must soon repeat it together4 ,and ,i answered3 ,yes1 dear1 we will4 ,in several instances the subject of dual marriages has been introduced4 ,more than once it has been suggested1 ,if a man marrying in early life1 and1 being devotedly attached to the woman he has married1 should unfortunately lose her1 and after many years of solitary waiting find another congenial soul to whom his whole heart goes out and marriage is the result1 and they have many years of wedded happiness together before she1 too1 is called1 to whom will he belong in the other life8 ,in the many phases of the divine life that seemed to come to me in my vision1 such thoughts as the above were never by any means suggested4 ,speaking from my own natural intuitions1 ,i cannot but think that as soon as the immortal part of us leaves the earthly tenement1 it lays down forever1 with that tenement1 all thoughts that embarrassed or grieved or pained the spirit4 ,in the homes of heaven there was perpetual love and joy and peace and happiness without measure4 ,this one thing ,i know3 ,in heaven are no conflicting ties2 no questions that vex2 no conditions that annoy2 the whole heart springs up to do the will of the ,father1 and nothing less than that will suffice4 ,in answer to the question in many instances proposed to me1 as to whether ,i consider this experience as a revelation1 ,i can only say1 as heretofore1 that ,i gave it as it came to me1 and every one must draw his own inference concerning it4 ,i can be the guide for no one4 ,there are some seeming inconsistencies in the book1 of which ,i myself am aware4 ,looking back upon it after nearly four years have passed1 it seems to me to be more a series of instructions such as we give little children here in a kindergarten4 ,it does not purport to be a revelation of what has been or what will be1 in the strict sense of the word1 but1 as ,i have already suggested1 more as we would teach children in a kindergarten4 ,i myself noticed1 in transcribing this strange experience1 the fact that the first lesson to be taught almost invariably came as an illustration2 and1 after my wonder and pleasure had taken in all that the picture itself would teach1 then followed the revelation1 or a general application of its meaning4 ,for instance1 that ,i may make my meaning more clear3 ,when ,i myself first entered within the gates1 ,i was shown the wonders of the celestial gardens and the magic of the beautiful river2 then the meeting with the dear ones from whom ,i had been so long parted4 ,and so ,i came to know the rapture of the disembodied spirit on its first entrance ,within the ,walls4 ,afterwards followed the instruction or first lessons concerning this life into which ,i seemed to have entered1 until1 as ,i said1 the first illustrations and the instructions formed for me but one perfect lesson4 ,and when1 as time passed1 ,i met and welcomed my dear sister1 my husband and my son1 ,i knew the other side of the question--the joy that came even to the angels in heaven when they welcomed the beloved ones who came to them from the world below4 ,and so1 all through the book1 the instruction was invariably preceded by the illustration4 ,thus ,i can but think1 if any meaning can be attached to this strange vision1 that it is simply a lesson in a general way of what we may expect and hope for when we reach the thither shore4 ,again1 the question is many times repeated1 ,does this experience retain its vividness as time passes1 or does it grow unreal and dreamlike to you8 ,i can partially forget some of the happiest experiences of my earth-life1 but time seems only to intensify to me the wonders of those days when my feet really stood upon the border-land of the two worlds4 ,it seemed to me that at every step we took in the divine life our souls reached up toward something better1 and we had no inclination to look behind to that which had passed1 or to try to solve what in our mortal life had been intricate or perplexing questions or mysteries4 ,like the cup that is filled to overflowing at the fountain with pure and sparkling water1 so our souls were filled--more than filled--with draughts from the fountain of all good1 until there was no longer room for aught else4 ,how then1 you ask1 could you reach out for more1 when you had all that you could receive8 ,because moment by moment1 hour by hour1 our souls grew and expanded and opened to receive fresh draughts of divine instruction which was constantly lifting us nearer to the source of all perfection4 ,some of the letters that have come to me have been so pathetic in their inquiries1 that they have called forth sympathetic tears1 and an intense longing to speak with authority upon the questions raised4 ,that privilege ,god has not given me4 ,i can only tell how it seemed to me in those blissful hours when earth seemed remote and heaven very near and real4 ,one suffering mother writes1 ,do you think ,i could pray still for my darling girl8 ,how ,i longed to take her in sympathetic arms and whisper to her that the dear child of her love1 ,i doubted not1 was praising ,god continually and had no longer need of earthly prayer4 ,she loved and trusted the ,savior as she went down into the ,valley of ,shadows1 and his loving arms received and comforted her4 ,to all such ,i would say--and many are the letters of like import received3 ,look up1 dear friends1 and see the loved ones1 as ,i saw those so dear to me1 happy and blessed beyond all human conception in the house of many mansions prepared for us by our loving ,father4 ,oh1 those wonderful mansions upon which my longing heart looks back6 ,believe in them1 look forward to them1 beloved friends1 for we have the ,savior's promise that they at least are there3 ,in my ,father's house are many mansions4 ,his promises never fail2 and ,i am sure of one thing they will not be less beautiful than those ,i looked upon in my vision4 ,this thought1 to me1 answers in a measure the questions asked in regard to dual marriages4 ,my own belief1 of this mortal life1 is1 that no two friends can occupy the same place in our hearts4 ,each heart is filled with chambers stately and old1 and to each beloved guest is assigned a chamber exclusively for himself4 ,that room is always his4 ,if death1 or distance1 or even disgrace1 separates him from us1 still the room is his and his only forever4 ,no other person can ever occupy it4 ,others may have rooms equally choice1 but when a guest has once departed from the room he has held in another heart1 the door of that room is barred forever2 it is held inviolate--sacred to the departed guest4 ,and so1 in heaven1 each guest has his separate room or home4 ,in my ,father's house are many mansions4 ,i go to prepare a place 7room7 for you4 ,i am no advocate of second marriages4 ,the thought of two lives alone as one1 is beautiful to me2 but ,i do not1 all the same1 believe that a man sins against the memory of a wife beloved and lost1 when he places by her side 7not in her place7 a good woman to cheer and brighten his home4 ,she cannot1 if she would1 take the place left vacant in his home and heart2 it is inviolate4 ,i speak1 of course1 of true marriages1 where not only hands are joined1 but hearts and souls are knit together as one forever4 ,what are the duties of heaven8 ,so many and varied1 ,i should judge1 as to make the question unanswerable4 ,much in ,intra ,muros shows the trend of daily life4 ,rest8 ,one of the duties as well as the pleasures of heaven4 ,rest does not of necessity mean inactivity4 ,how often in this life does laying aside of one duty and taking up another bring rest to both mind and body6 ,still1 as ,i found it1 there was at times absolute rest for both mind and body in that blissful repose that only heaven can give4 ,in but one instance of the manifold letters received was any feeling produced in their perusal except that of pleasure and gratitude that ,i--with so little physical strength of my own--could bring comfort and pleasure into the lives of others4 ,i thank our gracious ,father that he has so kindly permitted it4 ,the one letter to which ,i refer contains so many almost puerile inquiries1 that ,i simply laid it aside with a quotation from ,st4 ,paul1 ,of the earth earthy1 and asked the ,father to lift the heart of the writer into a purer light4 ,in conclusion ,i can only reiterate that ,i am no prophet1 ,i am no seer2 but1 in my inmost soul1 ,i honestly believe that if the joys of heaven are greater1 if the glories ,within the ,walls are more radiant than ,i in my vision beheld them1 ,i cannot understand how even the immortal spirit can bear to look upon them4 ,r4 ,r4 ,s4