IV.
"In my Father"s house are many mansions. * * * I go to prepare a place for you."--_John 14:2_.
Two men were walking in the grounds surrounding a stately residence on the outskirts of the city.
"I told you some time ago of the king of Poland"s visit," said the one who had been instructor at the school. "Did you see that item in the paper this morning?"
"Yes," replied the other. "The visit must have made a great impression on him, judging by what he is doing."
"He was much interested. He is a good man, and is carrying out the instructions which he received while here. You have not been here before?"
"No; this is my first visit."
"This house is being built for a descendant of mine who is yet in mortality. I visit with him frequently, and he has asked me for suggestions as to its construction. I have had much pleasure in giving them. Soon he is to bring a wife into his new home, a dear good girl whom I am pleased to welcome in this way into our family. The workmen have nearly finished their labors and I am devoting some time to the preparation of the grounds. Will you have time to look around with me?"
"I have time today, brother."
They walked towards the house. It stood on the slope of a gentle elevation which furnished a view of the country westward.
"Here you see what I am doing. I am departing somewhat from the usual form of lawn plans, but I want this place to have a special feature. You see, I have led this stream of water around the hill-side and made it fall over this small precipice into this tiny lake. What do you think of it?"
"It is beautiful and unique."
"You see, brother, I have a liking for streams of water. They always please my eye, and their babble and roar is music to my ears. And then, someone else will soon be visiting with me here. I call this my temporary Earth-home; and brother, nothing can be too beautiful for my wife."
His companion looked at him and smiled. The speaker smiled in return.
They understood each other.
"Yes, she is coming soon--at any time, now."
They walked into the house and inspected the building. It was no exception to the other houses in the city, as beautiful as gold, silver, precious stones, fine woods, silks, and other fabrics could make it.
Most of the rooms were furnished, as if in readiness for occupancy.
"I delight in statuary," was explained to the visitor, "and my wife delights in paintings. You see, I have catered to both our tastes, and especially hers. Those panels are the work of the famous Rene, and this ceiling was painted by the best artist in the city. Here, what do you think of this?"
They paused before a large painting hung in the best light. It showed traces of age, but the colors indicated the hand of a master. It represented a scene where grandeur and beauty mingle; in the distance, blue hills; nearer, they became darker and pine clad; in the foreground loomed a rocky ledge; encircled by the hills, lay a lake, around whose sh.o.r.es were farms and farm houses with red roofs; and in the foreground of the lake was an island.
"A fine picture," said the visitor, "and an old one."
"It is a scene in old-time Norway, by one of Europe"s best painters.
Here is another. This is new, hardly dry, in fact. You observe that there are no pines on those hills. The farm house and the orchard in the foreground are as natural as life. She will recognize them at once."
They pa.s.sed out.
"I have not had time to collect much in the way of statuary. I work a little at that art myself. Here is an unfinished piece, a model for a fountain."
They sat on a bench within sight of the falling water.
"Tell me about your family."
"I have a wife and four children yet in the spirit world. It is not long as we count time since I left them, and they are soon to follow; but I am impatient, I think. Oh, but she is a good woman, brother, good and true and beautiful; and my children are n.o.ble ones--two boys and two girls--even if one has been wayward. He will come back in time. Yes, my wife first taught me the knowledge of G.o.d, in the second estate, and opened to me the beauties of our Fathers" great plan. I had fallen low, and was in danger of going lower, when she came--G.o.d sent her--and with her pure, strong hand drew me up from the mire, G.o.d bless her." And the speaker smiled at the splashing waters.
"Then in earth-life I left them so suddenly, and she struggled bravely on to the end. It was all for the best--we know that now. I had a work to do in the spirit world, and G.o.d called me to it. I did it, and was accepted of the Master. We all met in the spirit world, and there continued our labors of love for the glory of G.o.d and the salvation of His children. Then my time came to pa.s.s through the resurrection, and here I am.--Hark, what is that? Someone is calling."
They listened. From the house came a voice, a low, sweet voice, calling.
"Brother, I must go," said he who had been talking. "Someone calls my name."
He disappeared hurriedly within the door-way; and the visitor went on his way.
V.
"And G.o.d shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there by any more pain: for the former things are pa.s.sed away.
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his G.o.d and he shall be my son."--_Rev. 21:4-7._
A sound, a whispered word echoes through the air and enters the ear. It touches the chords and finds them tuned to its own harmony. It plays tenderly on responsive strings, and what an awakening is within that soul! What rapture in the blending, what delight in the union! From it is born a joy of the heavenly world.
A sight, a glimpse of a form--a certain form or face; the rays of light entering the eye meet with something keenly sympathetic, and the soul leaps in ecstasy.
A touch, a gentle pressure of the hand; the union is complete.
What was that voice that reached him--a voice love-laden, full to over-flowing from the regions of the past? Ah, what sweetness courses through his veins, what joy leaps in his heart!
Within, he sees her. She stands in the middle of the room, with her eyes upon the open door. She does not move. Her beautiful robe of shining white clings about her form or falls in graceful folds to the floor. Her hair, light as of old, now glistens like silken threads. Her face shines with the indescribable glow of immortality.
She sees her husband. She raises her arms, and takes a step forward. She smiles--such a smile!
"Homan--Rupert."
"Delsa--Signe."
He takes her in his arms. He kisses her and holds her to his breast....
Presently strains of music came from another room. He listened as if surprised, but she looked up into her husband"s eyes and smiled. The music ceased and a little girl appeared in the doorway.
"May I come in?" she asked.
"Alice, my darling."
She runs towards them.
"Papa, papa, oh, how glad I am!"