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By
R. E. S.
The snow lay still on the earth, and hung like
strings of pearls upon the graceful drooping
branches of the Laburnum <<132>> trees. Spring had
not yet gladdened the face of nature, with her sweet
joyous smile; everything in field and garden looked
sold and quiet, as the land of the shadow of death.
Nature was sleeping so tranquilly, that her breath
was scarcely audible even to the most observant of
her children, and she loved to have it so; for it
was her time of rest, when in dreams her spirit
ascended to the Most High. In the midst of this
deathlike stillness and repose, I beard the sound
of a soft delicate step upon the ground; I listened,
with a beating heart, and watched in breathless
anxiety; but no human form approached, as I knelt in
a little arbour of the garden, absorbed in profound
adoration; for a religious awe had already taken
possession of my soul.
I
had not long remained in this position when I
perceived a form of light gliding through the air,
somewhat resembling those golden evening clouds
which hover around the last glories of departing
day—a soft delicious perfume spread through the
atmosphere and filled me with intense joy.
Wings of a rainbow-hue gradually displayed
themselves on this form, half human, half divine; a
garment woven of the loveliest flowers, twined
together their leaves and branches, so as almost to
conceal the radiant vision. Her golden hair was
encircled with buds of roses and jessamine. I gazed
in an ecstasy of wonder and delight, every moment
perceiving new beauties, which seemed to arise from
earth and to descend from heaven, mingling
harmoniously yet imperceptibly. Suddenly I was
aroused from my dreamlike silence by a voice whose
undulating softness resembled the sighs which the
Aeolian harp utters to the passing breeze; the
tender melody of that voice resounded through my
heart, as it formed itself into these words:
“Beautiful, and full delight is the task assigned me
by the great Creator, the beneficent Author of all
things!—to watch over the flowerets of earth; to
awaken with the breath of love and joy their
slumbering beauties; to call forth their hidden
charms; to show them the first warmth of reviving
happiness; to shed the perfume of my spirit upon
their young beauty, that they may bask in the
sunshine, and rejoice in the love of the Most
Merciful. Now will I return, and at the foot of the
heavenly throne pour forth the <<133>> gratitude due
to Him, who rejoices in the joy of His children. But
first let me awaken thee, pale clamberer, that I may
commence—my work of love.”
With these words, the beauteous being bent her sweet
eyes to the earth, and looked long and earnestly
upon a small bed of mould, which was situated in a
remote part of the garden; seeing at length a soft
pale bud penetrating upwards through the snow, she
continued, “Fairest and earliest child of the earth!
approach and fear not.” At these words of
encouragement, the delicate bud rose slowly and
gradually from its icy bed; and the spirit fanning
it with her fragrant wings, vanished from my sight.
Some weeks had now elapsed, when I returned again to
the arbour, and praying fervently that I might trace
the Divine hand in all His works, and discover the
truth and beauty in them all, I turned my eyes in
the direction from whence had proceeded that
exquisite vision. The bud was no longer there, but
in its place a slender stalk of palest green, upon
the top of which hung pendent a little bell of fairy
dimensions and perfect whiteness; through the
half-open leaves might be seen the delicate tint of
soft green, pencilled by the angel’s touch. With
rapturous delight I watched the beautiful flower,
and examined with attention the thin spiral leaves
of dark green which encircled, but could not protect
it, from the cold wind which shook it to and fro.
“Sweetest blossom,” I exclaimed, “why art thou
blooming in coldness and solitude, thus drooping and
alone?”
At
these words of sympathy, light and fragrance again
pervaded the atmosphere, and the soft musical voice
of the spirit fell once more upon my ear; but more
radiant, far lovelier was she now than when I first
beheld her. The sun had shed a brilliant light over
the robe of flowers which encircled her. The fresh
dew of an early spring morning sparkled in her hair,
and on the lids of her long lashes; her eyes beamed
with a softer light, and her movement was more
joyous and elastic. Half flying, half gliding, she
approached the flower, “Snow-drop,” said the spirit,
“such is thy name, for out of the snow hast thou
appeared, first-born of the spring! emblem of hope
and innocence! I have watched thee from thy first
appearance upon this earth;— long, long hut thou
struggled against the darkness and the
<<134>> gloom
which surrounded thee; long went thou chilled by the
cold breath of the frozen elements, but thou hast
triumphed over all—thou hast come forth in blooming
loveliness; meek and lowly at the recollection of
thy past trials, thou bendest down thy sweet head
like humility in Genius—emblem of love and hope! of
joy and trust, of obedience and humility—type of all
that is most perfect in the sight of God!”
Scarcely had the spirit uttered these words, when a
distant chorus of angels was heard, approaching
nearer and nearer. Humility they knew was the
delight of the Most High, and they left their golden
harps to take back an offering so acceptable to Him.
“Ascend with us,” they sang, “and let us take to
heaven this child of patience and humility.”
The spirit then ascended, bearing with her the
delicate snow-drop, no longer desolate, but
surrounded by a guard of the angelic host. |
