All was peaceful and still, as a calm Sabbath day, For man was no more to his brother a prey. Each dwelling I entered revealed the true sign Of Christian communion--the Presence Divine, For they in whose souls His graces abide, In each other’s friendship forever confide. Fatigued with my journey--deprived of my rest, Long time I remained in that city a guest, Pondering deeply on all I had seen and had heard ’Till my soul from its deepest recesses was stirred. There was seen in all things such a marvellous change, One could hardly imagine an era so strange; Here a library stood with its wide open door, The clerks and librarian needed no more, As the readers took works from their place on the shelves And duly returned them uninjured themselves. No comic nor frivolous lectures were known, Instruction and knowledge were sought for alone, There were schools for the infant, the child and the aged; In all labors of love the fair sex was engaged; No voting was heard of--no taxes were paid, For religion from government needed no aid. Throughout the wide world not a vestige was found Of weeds that for ages were known to abound, Nor a poisonous serpent to sting or annoy, Nor an insect, the rich harvest hopes to destroy. The sun, moon and stars each in turn gave their light, One scorched not by day, while the rest warmed the night; And nature was fair as the garden of God, The Paradise once by angel feet trod. “Blest world!” I exclaimed, “all honor and praise Be to Him who now rules these millenial days!” With fervor I spoke--raised my hand towards the sky, And heard the soft whisper of some one near by; Then turned just in time to see sunset’s last gleam, When the present rushed back, and lo! ’twas a dream! [Illustration]