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is earned by our tears and the sweat of our brow; then greedy men come and plunder us, to squander it on their idle favourites. Weep, weep with me, my brethren! hatred pursues us; revenge sharpens its poniard in the dark; calumny brands us, and even deprives us of the power of making our defence; the object of tenderness betrays our confidence, and forces us to curse this otherwise consolatory sentiment. We must live in the midst of all the strokes of wickedness, error, pride, and folly.'

While my heart gave a free course to my complaints, I saw a band of shining seraphs descending from heaven; on which shouts of joy were immediately sent forth from the whole race of these fortunate beings. As I gazed with astonishment, I was accosted by an old man, who said, Farewel, my friend! the moment of our death draws near; or rather, that of a new life. The ministers of the God of clemency are come to take us away from this earth; we are going to dwell in a world of still greater perfection,'

Why, father,' said I, ' are you then strangers to the agonies of death, the anguish, the pain, the dread, which accompany us in our last moments?'

Yes, my child,' he replied, these angels of the Highest come at stated periods, and carry us all away, opening to us the road to a new world, of which we have an idea by the undoubted conviction of the unlimited bounty and magnificence of the Creator, A cheerful glow was immediately spread over their countenances; their brows already seemed crowned with immortal splendor; they sprang lightJy from the earth in my sight; I prest the sacred hand of each for the last time, while with a smile they held out the other to the seraph, who had spread his

wings to carry them to heaven. They ascended all at once, like a flock of beautiful swans, that, taking flight, raise themselves, with majestic rapidity, over the tops of our highest palaces. I gazed with sadness; my eye followed them in the air, until their venerable heads were lost in the silver clouds, and I remained alone on this magnificent deserted land. I perceived I was not yet fitted to dwell in it, and wished to return to this unfortunate world of expiation: thus the animal escaped from his keeper returns, following the track of his chain, with a mild aspect, and enters his prison. Awaking, the illusion was dispelled, which it is beyond the power of my weak tongue or pen to describe in its full splendor; but this illusion I shall for ever cherish; and, supported by the foundation of hope, I will preserve it till death, in the inmost recesses of my soul.

A PARABLE AGAINST PERSECUTION.

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1. And it came to pass after these things, that Abraham sat in the door of his tent, about the going down of the sun. 2. And behold a man bowed with age, coming from the way of the wilderness leaning on a staff. 3. And Abraham arose, and met him, and said unto him, Turn in, I pray thee, and wash thy feet, and tarry all night; and thou shalt arise early in the morning, and go on thy way. 4. And the man said, Nay; for I will abide under this tree. 5. But Abraham pressed him greatly: so he turned, and they went into the tent: and Abraham baked unleavened bread, and they did eat. 6. And when Abraham saw that the man blessed not God, he said unto him, Wherefore dost thou not worship the most high God, creator of heaven and earth? 7. And the man answered and said, I do not worship thy God, neither do I call upon his name; for I have made to myself a god, which abideth always in my house, and provideth me with all things. 8. And Abraham's zeal was kindled against the man, and he arose, and fell upon him, and drave him forth with blows into the wilderness,

9. And at midnight God called unto Abraham, saying, Abraham, where is the stranger? 10. And Abraham answered and said, Lord, he would not worship thee, neither would he call upon thy name; therefore have I driven him out from before my face into the wilderness. 11. And God said, have I borne with him these hundred ninety and eight years, and nourished him, and clothed him, notwithstanding his rebellion against me; and

A PARABLE AGAINST PERSECUTION.

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couldst not thou, who art thyself a sinner, bear with him one night? 12. And Abraham said, let

not the

anger of my Lord wax hot against his servant: lo, I have sinned, forgive me, I pray thee. 13. And Abraham arose, and went forth into the wilderness, and sought diligently for the man, and found him; and returned with him to the tent; and when he had entreated him kindly, he sent him away on the morrow with gifts. 14. And God spake again unto Abraham, saying, for this thy sin shall thy seed be afflicted four hundred years in a strange land: 15. But for thy repentance will I deliver them, and they shall come forth with power, and with gladness of heart, and with much substance.

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