Gently o’er us Came a breath of warm and balmy air, And before us Stood a man with silvery, flowing hair. How appearing From the murky gloom that round us fell, Mild and cheering In his presence, I could never tell. But I say with solemn asservation, That it was no fanciful creation, Bearing to this life no true relation, Which we saw that night, Standing in the city, Underneath the street-lamps’ changing light. “Children!” said he, “One of life’s great lessons you are taught; Be then ready To apply the teaching as you ought. _All_ are brothers-- _All_ are sisters in this lower life. Many others Make sad failures in the weary strife; But each failure is a grand expression Of the law which underlies progression, Which will raise the soul above transgression. Yea, this very night, All throughout this city, Every soul is striving toward the light.” “Bruised and broken, Many hearts in patient sorrow wait, To hear spoken Words of love, which often come too late. Lift their crosses, And their sins--the heaviest load of all-- Bear their losses, And be patient with them when they fall.” Then he vanished, as the shadows parted, Leaving us alone, but hopeful hearted, Gazing into space where he departed From our wondering sight, In that mazy city-- Vanished in the shadows of the night. Sacred presence! Dwelling just beyond our mortal sense, Through thine essence, Fill our beings with a life intense. By creation Man fulfills a destiny sublime, And salvation Comes to each in its appointed time. In that region of celestial splendor, Where the angel-faces look so tender, Human weakness needeth no defender. In the perfect light Of the heavenly city, Souls can read the law of life aright. A RESPECTABLE LIE. “A respectable lie, sir! Pray what do you mean? Why the term in _itself_ is a plain contradiction. A lie is a _lie_, and deserves no respect, But merciless judgment, and speedy conviction. It springs from corruption, is servile and mean, An evil conception, a coward’s invention, And whether direct, or but simply implied, Has naught but deceit for its end and intention.”