ON HAPPY ISLANDS

I directed my sight as I was ordered, and, whether or not the good Genius strengthened it with any supernatural force, or dissipated part of the inist that was before too thick for the eye to penetrate, I saw the valley opening at the further end, and spreading forth into an immense ocean, that had a huge rock of adamant running through the midst of it, and dividing it into two equal parts. The clouds still rested on one half of it, insomuch that I could discover nothing in it: but the other appeared to me a vast ocean planted with innumerable islands, that were covered with fruits and flowers, and interwoven with a thousand little shining seas, that ran among them.

I could see persons dressed in glorious habits with garlands upon their heads, passing among the trees, lying down by the sides of fountains, or resting on beds of flowers; and could hear a confused harmony of singing birds, falling waters, human voices, and musical instruments. Gladness grew in me, upon the discovery of so delightful a scene. I wished for the wings of an eagle, that I might fly away to those happy seats: but the Genius told me there was no passage to them, except through the gates of death, that I saw opening every moment upon the bridge

"The islands," said he, "that lie so fresh and green before thee, and with which the whole face of the ocean appears spotted, as far as thou canst see are more in number than the sands on the seashore. There are myriads of islands behind those which thou here discoverest, reaching further than thine eye, or even thine imagination, can extend itself. These are the mansions of good men after death, who, according to the degrees and kinds of virtue in which they excelled, are distributed among these several islands, which abound with pleasures of different kinds and degrees, suitable to the relishes and perfections of those who are settled in them. Every island is a paradise accommodated to its respective inhabitants.

"Are not these, O Mirza, habitations worth contending for? Does life appear miserable that gives thee opportunities of earning such a reward? Is death to be feared that will convey thee to so happy an existence? Think not man was made in vain, who has such an eternity reserved for him.” I gazed, with inexpressible pleasure, on those happy islands. At length, said I, "Show me now, I beseech thee, the secrets that lie under those dark clouds, that cover the ocean on the other side of the rock of adamant."

The Genius making me no answer, I turned about to address myself to him a second time, but I found that he had left me. I then turned again to the vision which I had been so long contemplating; but, instead of the rolling tide, the arched bridge, and the happy islands, I saw nothing but the long hollow valley of Bagdad, with oxen, sheep, and camels, grazing upon the sides of it.-Addison.

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THE SOCIETY OF HEAVEN

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St. John describes the society in that world as composed of "angels and saints "-those who have never sinned, and those who were redeemed, and "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." The former were created and have continued in the highest rank of bright and glorious spirits. The latter were once "dead in trespasses and sins"; "walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience"; but they have been quickened together with Christ, and raised up together with him, and made to sit with angels and the Lord of angels "in heavenly places." Angels scorn not their society; they welcome them as partakers of their joy, and delight in their happiness. The interest which they take in man they have already manifested. When man was created, "these morning stars sang together; these sons of God shouted for joy." When he was redeemed, their bright hosts flew to earth, and sang, "Glory to God in the highest." When a sinner repents, there is joy in the presence of the angels; and in the midst of all the sorrows and trials and temptations here below, they are "ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation." They conveyed the departed Lazarus to Abraham's bosom. With what warmth of affection will these holy beings welcome us to their blissful society above! With what transport will they lead us up to the throne of God and the Lamb, and point us to the surrounding glories of our eternal abode; with what joy will they relate, and we hear, the account of their embassies of love to us, while we were here training for heaven! And while we celebrate the grace that brought us through, and dwell on the wonders of redeeming love, though they sing not our song, yet with a voice as the sound of many waters and the voice of mighty thunderings, they will strike the chorus to our praises.-Rev. W. Taylor, D.D.

THE JOY TO COME!

I staid a week at Niagara Falls, hoping thoroughly to understand and appreciate it. But on the last day they seemed newer and more incomprehensible than on the first day. Gazing on the infinite rush of celestial splendors, where the oceans of delight meet, and pour themselves into the great heart of God-how soon will we exhaust the song? Never! Never! The oid preachers, in describing the sorrows of the lost, used to lift up their hands and shout, "The wrath to come!" "The wrath to come!" To-day I lift up my hands and, looking toward the great future, cry, "The joy to come!"" The joy to come!" Oh, to wander on the banks of the bright river, and yet to feel that a little farther down we shall find still brighter floods entering into it! Oh to stand a thousand years, listening to the enchanting music of heaven, and then to find out that the harpers are only tuning their harps.-Rev. T. De Witt Talmage, D.D.

SLEEP WELL, MY DEAR

Sleep well, my dear, sleep safe and free,

The holy angels are with thee,

Who always see thy Father's face,

And never slumber, nights nor days.

Sleep now, my dear, and take thy rest,

And if with riper years thou'rt blest,
Increase in wisdom day and night

Till thou attainest the eternal light!-Martin Luther.

THE BIRD'S MESSAGE

Laura C. Halloway relates a beautiful story of the last hours of Mrs. Donelson-the "Lovely Emily," who, during Andrew Jackson's term, was "Lady of the White House," the General's wife, her aunt, being dead.

Always a fond and proud mother, as the time drew near for a final separation from her children, she clung to them with a tenderness and devotion touching to behold. A few evenings before her death she was sitting at an open window, admiring the beauty of a winter sunset, when a bird entered, and, flying several times around the room, alighted on her chair. One of the little children, playing by her side, made some exclamation, and tried to catch it. 'Don't disturb it, darling,' said the dying mother, maybe it comes to bid me prepare for my flight to another world. I leave you here, but the Heavenly Father, who shelters and provides for this poor little bird this wintry day, will also watch over and take care of you all when I am gone. Don't forget mamma; love her always, and try to live so that we may all meet again in heaven.' Ere the week closed, her chair was vacant; earth had lost one of its noblest, purest spirits, but heaven had gained an angel."

AS A LITTLE CHILD

"As a little child, as a little child!"

Then how can I enter in?

I am scarred, and hardened, and soul-defiled,
With traces of sorrow and sin.

Can I turn backward the tide of years

And wake my dead youth at my will?
"Nay, but thou canst, with thy grief and thy fears,
Creep into My arms and be still.”

I know that the lambs in the heavenly fold
Are sheltered and kept in Thine heart;
But I—I am old, and the gray from the gold
Has bidden all brightness depart.

The gladness of youth, the faith and the truth,

Lie withered, or shrouded in dust.

"Thou'rt emptied at length of thy treacherous strength;
Creep into My arms now-and trust."

Is it true? can I share with the little ones there

A child's calm repose on Thy breast?

Aye, the tenderest care will answer thy prayer,
My love is for thee as the rest.

It will quiet thy fears, will wipe away tears-
Thy murmurs shall soften to psalms,
Thy sorrows shall seem but a feverish dream,
In the rest in the rest in My arms.

"Thus tenderly held, the heart that rebelled,
Shall cling to My hand, though it smite;
Shall find in My rod the love of its God,
My statutes its songs in the night.

And whiter than snow shall the stained life grow,

'Neath the touch of a love undefiled,

And the throngs of forgiven at the portals of heaven,

Shall welcome one more little child."-Mary Lowe Dickinson.

WE SHALL ALL CHANGE

It appears probable that the radical transformation of life through a change of body and of worlds must work far greater modifications in our characters and opinions, without affecting our identity, than the increase of earthly years, the adoption of new views or removal from one locality to another.-John T. Perry.