Children's stories; Christian life -- Juvenile fiction; Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction; Poor -- Juvenile fiction
It was not yet day when I left my house to obey the summons. The morning
star shone conspicuously clear. The moon cast a mild light over the
prospect, but gradually diminished in brightness as the eastern sky
became enlightened. The birds were beginning their songs, and seemed
ready to welcome the sun's approach. The dew plentifully covered the
fields, and hung suspended in drops from the trees and hedges. A few
early labourers appeared in the lanes, travelling towards the scene of
their daily occupations.
All besides was still and calm. My mind, as I proceeded, was deeply
exercised by thoughts concerning the affecting event which I expected
soon to witness.
The rays of the morning star were not so beautiful in my sight, as the
spiritual lustre of this young Christian's character. "Her night was far
spent;" the morning of a "better day was at hand." The sun of eternal
blessedness was ready to break upon her soul with rising glory. Like the
moon, which I saw above me, this child's exemplary deportment had gently
cast a useful light over the neighbourhood where she dwelt. Like this
moon she had for a season been permitted to shine amidst the surrounding
darkness; and her rays were also reflected from a luminary, in whose
native splendour her own would quickly be blended and lost.
The air was cool, but the breezes of the morning were refreshing, and
seemed to foretell the approach of a beautiful day. Being accustomed, in
my walks, to look for subjects of improving thought and association, I
found them in every direction around me as I hastened onwards to the
house where Jane lay, waiting for a dismissal from her earthly dwelling.
I felt that the twilight gravity of nature was, at that hour, peculiarly
appropriate to the circumstances of the case; and the more so, because
that twilight was significantly adorned with the brilliant sparklings of
the star on one hand, and the clear, pale lustre of the waning moon on
the other.
When I arrived at the house, I found no one below; I paused for a few
minutes, and heard the girl's voice very faintly saying, "Do you think he
will come? I should be so glad--so very glad to see him before I die."
I ascended the stairs--her father, mother, and brother, together with the
elderly woman before spoken of, were in the chamber. Jane's countenance
bore the marks of speedy dissolution. Yet, although death was manifest
in the languid features, there was something more than ever interesting
in the whole of her external aspect. The moment she saw me, a renewed
vigour beamed in her eye; grateful affection sparkled in the dying face.
Although she had spoken just before I entered, yet for some time
afterwards she was silent, but never took her eyes off me. There was
animation in her look--there was more--something like a foretaste of
heaven seemed to be felt, and gave an inexpressible character of
spiritual beauty, even in death.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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