W. Observe it more closely, and then tell me why it attracts thee so.

H. Pardon me, who am so lately called from the earth, an earthly, childish comparison. At the home where I was born thou knowest it well, though at the time thou wast no longer upon earth I had planted a garden. As the spring came, I devoted myself to its cultivation, and enjoyed myself over my plants and their beautiful unfoldings. There were many trees there, much shrubbery, and many flowers; yet I knew every shoot. I had myself planted and watered it. Each in its turn. came under my inspection, and when it put on its bright green, and blossomed beautifully, and grew thriftily, then found I a heart friend in it. Thus seems to me that man to be the gardener in this heavenly garden. He moves hither and thither quietly, and in mildest radiance; but one can see that every thing here is familiar to him. He casts around on all besides a satisfied and friendly glance, and appears to find joy in all creation here. My heart! Till this moment, I have felt within me only soft, soothing emotions; but now a tempest is rising in my breast. I am dizzy. Heaven, with its glory, vanishes from my sight. I see him alone. Now pain returns again to this heart; yet in this pain there lives a higher blessedness. My soul burns with longing to approach him. Yes, he is indeed one known to me, though never before seen face to face. Now he turns hitherward, and looks

His eyes

upon us. He appears to rejoice over us. glisten with tears of joy. I can no longer restrain myself; I must away to him. I must say to him, that I love him as I never loved aught before. He raises his hands-how? in those hands a mark, and from the mark, rays darting forth? Yes, those are the pierced, the bleeding hands. He blesses us! Deep in my heart I feel his blessing. Now know I that I am in heaven! Now know I that this is He!

W. Away, then, to him.

"Bright glories rush upon my sight,

And charm my wondering eyes;

The regions of immortal light,
The beauties of the skies.

There's a delightful clearness now;
My clouds of doubt are gone;
Fled is my former darkness, too;
My fears are all withdrawn.

Short is the passage, short the space,
Between my home and me;

There, there behold the radiant place!
How near the mansions be!"

HEAVEN.

Is heaven a place where pearly streams Glide over silver sand,

Like childhood's rosy, dazzling dreams
Of some far fairy land?

Is heaven a clime where diamond dews
Glitter on fadeless flowers,
And mirth and music ring aloud
From amaranthine bowers?

Ah, no; not such, not such is heaven!
Surpassing far all these ;

Such cannot be the guerdon given
Man's wearied soul to please.

For saints and sinners, here below,
Such vain to be have proved;
And the pure spirit will despise
Whate'er the sense has loved.

There shall we dwell with Sire and Son,
And with the mother-maid,
And with the Holy Spirit, one,
In glory like arrayed.

And not to one created thing

Shall one embrace be given;

But all our joy shall be in God,
For only God is heaven.

REUNION IN HEAVEN.

IF yon bright stars, which gem the night,
Be each a blissful dwelling sphere,
Where kindred spirits reunite,

Whom death has torn asunder here,
How sweet it were at once to die,
And leave this blighted orb afar,
Mixed soul and soul to cleave the sky,
And soar away from star to star!

But O, how dark, how drear and lone,
Would seem this world of bliss,
If, wandering through each radiant one,
We failed to find the loved of this!
If there no more the ties shall twine,
That death's cold hand alone could sever,
Ah, then these stars in mockery shine,
More hateful as they shine forever.

It cannot be each hope, each fear,

That lights the eye or clouds the brow, Proclaims there is a happier sphere

Than this black world that holds us now. There is a voice which sorrow hears

When heaviest weighs life's galling chain; 'Tis heaven that whispers, Dry thy tears; The pure in heart shall meet again.

I WISH I WERE AT REST IN HEAVEN.

It is said that, many years ago, a young bride was kneeling at the altar, and remaining long on her knees, they raised her, and found that her spirit had departed. Her last words were, "I wish I were at rest in heaven!"

"I WISH I were at rest in heaven,
Among the faithful blest :

The soul is freed from anguish there,
The weary are at rest.

"I wish I were at rest in heaven,"

A fair girl gently sighed,

As she knelt beside the altar,
A young and lovely bride.

Rich pearls gleamed forth from her dark hair,
And diamonds without peer;

Yet grief was shadowed on her brow,
And in her eye a tear.

"I wish I were at rest in heaven:

Gently life's waters glide

In those bright realms of peace and love,
Where sorrows ne'er betide.

"I wish I were at rest in heaven:

O, sweet would be my song;
And heavenly bright my azure robe,
'Mid the angelic throng.