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ELESTIAL 
 
 BY 
 
 FRANZ LUDWIG NAGLER 
 
 FjPlIR.T FIRST. 
 
 
 ^13 1889" 
 
 ^Sh/hgTO^- 
 
 ■ 
 
 CINCINNATI, O : <=v 
 
 §S§ Printed for the Author by Cranston & Stowe. J^ 
 
 &&. 18S9. J@i& 
 
4n 
 
 Ha^ 
 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1889, 
 
 By FRANZ L,. NAGLKR, 
 
 in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, 
 
 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 
 
wt\ose trust a^ cheerfulness. 
 
 eLiarii-ts the years of t\er loi\g«c0nfe\iae(^ illness, 
 
 ^ve ever "been ^ inspiration t© 
 
 w\y t\e^rt, %\ese 
 
 ^re affectionately (^eeUestte^ fey the 
 
 Author. 
 
1 \21\2laj t^fan^^ully ariqinwlEtlgp rffE assistance 
 nenflEitefl By my fiiintI|Ei^. 
 
 August F\ TNTagler, 
 
 piIEpaiiation nl} tl\e.s2 pages. 
 
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 CLXS^ 
 
 ontents. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 To my Sister, 9 
 
 Jf erpf Kipsf : yl)e Qr)i$eps<z. 
 
 Immanuel, 28 
 
 Scene First, 29 
 
 Scene Second, 34 
 
 Scene Third, . 39 
 
 Scene Fourth, ...... 34 
 
 Scene Fifth, 46 
 
 Scene Sixth, 50 
 
 Scene Seventh, -55 
 
 Scene Eighth,, .-59 
 
 Scene Ninth, 62 
 
 Scene Tenth, .67 
 
 Scene Eleventh, . . . . . .71 
 
 Scene Twelfth, . . • . . . 74 
 
 Scene Thirteenth, 78 
 
 Scene Fourteenth, 81 
 
 5 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Scene Fifteenth, 84 
 
 Scene Sixteenth, . . . . 88 
 
 Scene Seventeenth, . . . . .90 
 
 Scene Eighteenth, 93 
 
 Scene Nineteenth, 96 
 
 Scene Twentieth 99 
 
 Scene Twenty-first, 102 
 
 Scene Twenty-second, .... 105 
 
 Scene Twenty-third, 108 
 
 Scene Twenty-fourth, . . . .111 
 Scene Twenty-fifth, . . . . .114 
 
 *^>@W<^<<-* 
 
Q 
 
 (^(O fonblp, rpy "oGGpGs, inbo blpG Wide, Wide World, 
 find sIpoW blpo Worlds ofr God ip bpicjlpbesb Ipue : 
 if boucjjp, Wjpen your IpGd^Gnly beaubics apG unfurled, 
 if o nobiGc bberp, bliGrc should be bub a ^eW j 
 Go Forbb, qo Forbb, petferbbGless, 
 if Ipese |gW bo Gomforb and bo bless. 
 
[o my ipister. 
 
 A 
 
 ORE promising the sun ne'er shone, 
 dear Sister, 
 In spring-time after winter's frost and chill, 
 When chirping birds built nests among the 
 J& branches 
 
 That gently drooped o'er pond and murmur- 
 ing rill, 
 And fragrant blossoms which had just un- 
 folded 
 
 Their slender petals 'mongst the emerald leaves, 
 Foretold us, all aglow with praise and promise, 
 Midsummer's fruit and autumn's golden sheaves : 
 Than in life's early morn the sun of fortune 
 In charming luster rose above your head, 
 And cast anon on future's dusky dimness 
 A glimmering wreath wherein we fondly read, 
 
IO CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Earth's sweetest joys and heaven's abundant 
 
 blessings, 
 And all that loving kindness might invent, 
 Be ever thine, until thy course is ended, 
 And God's own messenger, "Well done!" is 
 
 sent. — 
 But, as when by the rising sun are banished 
 The morning-mists that hug the dewy earth, 
 And then, before he climbs to zenith-splendor, 
 The western skies to numerous clouds give birth, 
 Which, as for battle, muster all their forces, 
 And upward march with slow, but certain tread, 
 Until the concave vast of high-arched heaven 
 By their united gloom is overspread : 
 Thus, Sister, fled, alas too soon, forever 
 Your days of childish glee and girlhood bloom, 
 And scarce a ray of hope was left to comfort 
 Your drooping heart amidst the darkening 
 
 gloom. — 
 
 As when in battle fierce the blood-stained 
 warrior 
 O'erpowers and disarms a weaker foe, 
 Then, thrusting ruthlessly his deadly weapon, 
 Inflicting agonies of direst woe ; 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. II 
 
 Unmindful of his anxious plea for pity, 
 Untouched by cries of anguish, burning tears, 
 Thinking but of the ill-gained spoils, forgetting 
 The awful cost, at which he sounds his cheers; 
 Thus came on you as with fell strokes of venge- 
 ance, 
 And whence so suddenly, you scarcely knew, 
 Severest pain, of sickness cruel token, 
 And naught was left you but your fate to rue. — 
 'Tis true, you long withstood the grim destroyer, 
 So well your dauntless courage oft was hailed ; 
 But when he brought his all to bear upon you, 
 It was too much, your weakened spirit failed. 
 Your glee, alas, had given way to sadness, 
 Dimmed was the youthful luster of your eye ; 
 The rosy hue upon your cheeks had vanished, 
 Bach weary breath was but a plaintive sigh. 
 
 No more were you allowed to trip and wander 
 O'er meadows gay to watch the purling brook ; 
 No more to gather flowers by the hillside, 
 Then hasten home again with cheerful look, 
 Spread them on mother's lap who would entwine 
 
 them, 
 Deck with the flowery crown your golden hair, 
 
12 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Whilst telling of the lessons which the Savior 
 Drew from their tender life and beauty rare. 
 Those days forever past; — in darkened chamber 
 The weary moments sluggishly moved on ; 
 Bach morn but added pain to pain, each evening 
 Brought forth the sigh, O that the night were 
 
 gone ! 
 Full well you know, what tears of bitter anguish 
 Rolled down your cheeks for grief to seek re- 
 dress. 
 And how you prayed, that God would soon in 
 
 mercy 
 Alleviate your pain and sore distress. — 
 
 Since those dark hours full many a day, on 
 
 seeing 
 Its birthplace, fled; and seasons not a few 
 Rolled down the mighty stream thewhilst her 
 
 circles 
 The earth around the sun, time-measuring, drew. 
 Thee also, Sister, did the varying seasons 
 Bring changes many, and, with them, relief. 
 Not that all pain had fled, and sore affliction, 
 And gladness banished every thought of grief. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 13 
 
 O no ! for often clouds o'ercast your heavens, 
 
 And tempests raged along your lonely path ; 
 
 Your heart was filled with dread and dire fore- 
 bodings, 
 
 As nearer pealed the thunder's awful wrath. 
 
 Not always, though, your sky was veiled in 
 mourning, 
 
 Not always did you walk in dismal shade ; 
 
 At times the faintest cloudlets grew still fainter, 
 
 And darkness fled, and fear, from wood and glade. 
 
 As when through foggy realms the sun with 
 
 smiling, 
 But all-victorious rays dispels the night, 
 And rears against the storm-cloud's gloomy 
 
 shadow 
 An arch in sevenfold splendor pearly bright ; 
 And flowerets, which to earth were sorely beaten, 
 As if light-born in richest colors gleam : 
 So you, the eye of faith to God uplifted, 
 Felt strength renewed, and joy, beneath the beam 
 Of that eternal Sun which shines all-glorious 
 Above the mists of anguish and despair, 
 And which, in piercing them, brought heavenly 
 
 brightness 
 And, with it, peace, in answer to your prayer. 
 
14 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Through tribulation leads the way to glory, 
 When in the Savior's blood the robes are 
 
 white ! 
 Thus are you taught in God's sure Word which 
 
 ever 
 Remains our pathway's guiding-star and light. 
 But you have also learned in days of sorrow, 
 That often God in his unerring love 
 By tribulation erst the heart can conquer, 
 And thus prepare it for the joys above. — 
 That what I say, is true, my proofs are many 
 And as infallible as they can be. 
 Shall I then go in search of others? Never. 
 Your testimony will suffice for me. — 
 In it I see, that though at times encompassed 
 You are by pain and sorrow, yet the light 
 Of God's own countenance shines down upon 
 
 you, 
 And ever trusting in his grace and might 
 You still can raise your eyes toward home and 
 
 heaven 
 And say with cheerfulness of soul: u Thou art 
 My guide, O Lord ; and trusting, I will follow, 
 Though I can understand Thee but in part!" — 
 Your testimony — given me unrequested — 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 1 5 
 
 Speaks to the heart, as from the heart it flowed ; 
 There gleams in it, as in a mirror polished, 
 The soul's fair image, purity's abode. — 
 This image now, unchanged, I hold before 
 
 you, 
 Albeit in this frame of myrtle hue. 
 Full well you know the graces, which, entrancing 
 The eye, the heart with gentle love imbue : — 
 
 "And is it possible, another summer 
 With all its bloom and cheeriness is gone? 
 O time, all-precious time! why ever fleeting? 
 Why are you ever, ever moving on ? — 
 Now twenty times and thrice the vernal sun- 
 beams 
 Aroused to new-felt life the slumbering earth, 
 Since I from naught to consciousness was wak- 
 ened, 
 Hope greeting as with fairest smile my birth. 
 Since that first day, so promising and sunny, 
 How many a one has come and gone, and O! 
 What have I not endured of pain and anguish, 
 Of disappointments and heart-rending woe ! 
 How many clouds have darkened my horizon ! 
 
1 6 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 How many storms have raged above my head! 
 I felt forlorn ; no help was found, nor helper ; 
 And oft my heart moaned, O that I were 
 dead ! 
 
 "Thank God, I now can see w T hat once I 
 could not. 
 Those sorrows were but blessings in disguise ; 
 Of struggling forces, bent, it seemed, on malice : 
 My body was the field — my soul the prize ! 
 What in the light of day I ne'er could fathom, 
 That I beheld in midnights dark and drear; 
 The stars looked down into my lonely chamber, 
 And though so far away, they shone so near. — 
 Yea, then it was that heaven appeared re- 
 opened 
 And sent into my soul a golden ray ; 
 And what ere then in deepest gloom was 
 
 hidden, 
 Now open as in morning sunlight lay. — 
 All-merciful the Lord has been, my Sovereign, 
 So lenient, as now I understand; 
 He led me, though I did not recognize it, 
 And leads me still with his unerring hand. 
 He was my Friend in days so dark and dreary, 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 17 
 
 My only Friend, my Counsel good and true. 
 I know it now that he 's my Heavenly Father, 
 And I 'm his child, — O blessing ever new ! 
 He knows, he only, whither I'd have wandered, 
 If fringed with flowers my early path had 
 
 been, 
 And if he not in his far-seeing goodness 
 With many prickly thorns had hedged me in. 
 It seems that in distress and sufferings only 
 The all-wise God my sinful heart could win, 
 And keep me midst the world's alluring pleas- 
 ures 
 From snares of evil, — dangerous paths of sin. 
 
 u Oft I had prayed, with heart oppressed and 
 yearning, 
 And to the heavens I raised my longing eyes, 
 That God in his great mercy would restore me ; 
 Alas, there came no answer from the skies ! 
 And my poor soul sank low in grief and an- 
 guish, 
 Hope well-nigh overcome by dread despair. 
 My feeble faith could find no rock of safety, 
 As futile seemed my every cry and prayer. 
 O, said I, God has left me to my sorrow, 
 
1 8 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 And heeds not when to him I raise my voice ; 
 And more than my frail body's pain and torment 
 Was then my soul's distress, void every choice ! — 
 
 " But now those days are gone, those doubts 
 forever, 
 And from their thrall my soul has been re- 
 leased. 
 They fled, as do the shades of night, when 
 
 gently 
 Aurora spreads her wings across the east. 
 A bright and glorious day has dawned upon me, 
 And softly fell the pearly morning dew. 
 His 'peace be with you!' I have heard Him 
 
 utter 
 Who also said: 'Lo, I make all things new!'- — 
 I know that he has heard my every prayer, 
 And kindly granted what for me was best ; 
 Though not as human wisdom understood it, 
 Nor yet according to my loud request. 
 He did not give me what my heart had longed for, 
 But gave what in his love-plans, deeply laid, 
 He saw was better far than things for which I, 
 In child-like ignorance, so oft had prayed. 
 I longed for health, of earth the richest blessing ; 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 19 
 
 God graciously looked down upon my soul, 
 My soul that was far weaker than my body. — 
 He saw, and came, and blessed, and made it 
 whole! — 
 
 " He did not take away my pain, but gave me 
 The mind that was in his beloved Son ; 
 So that with joyful confidence I ever 
 Can say to him: 'Thy will, O Lord, be done!' 
 I take in simple faith what he has given ; 
 What 's good for me, he better knows than I. 
 Though now I can not comprehend his dealings, 
 I trust, that I shall know them by and by. 
 He, who was with me to this very moment, 
 Will in the future ever be with me. 
 He gave his promise: 'I will not forsake thee!' 
 And, 'As thy day, e'en so thy strength shall be !' 
 I humbly give him charge of all that mine is, 
 And though the billows seem to overwhelm 
 My little bark, I never fear their fury ; 
 For he, the mighty One, stands at the helm. 
 What matters it, though stormy be my voyage, 
 Bereft of comfort, joyfulness, and ease — 
 If only I will reach the blessed haven, 
 The haven of eternal rest and peace? 
 
20 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 E'en now the eye of faith beholds with rapture 
 The rising shore beyond the trackless wastes ; 
 And as the breezes waft from yonder hillsides, 
 My soul with joy their sweet aroma tastes. 
 
 "When I have reached my home, high in 
 the heavens, 
 Forever free from sickness, pain, and death, 
 My every song shall be a hallelujah ! 
 A 'worthy is the Lamb !' my every breath. 
 Then I shall feel what passeth understanding ; 
 Then I shall know e'en as I now am known ; 
 Then I shall see the King in all his glory, 
 And with the angels stand before the throne." 
 
 I ofttimes think of you, my darling Sister, 
 Afflicted as you are with many pains ; 
 Still — trusting in the love of your Redeemer 
 Who over all omnipotently reigns — 
 You look from earth's despair and dark do- 
 minions 
 So confidently up into the skies, 
 Where, high above this transient sphere of sorrow, 
 Our hope's fair home and sweet fulfillment lies. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 21 
 
 'T is true, your body, aching, weak, and prostrate, 
 Seems to a narrow space forever chained ; 
 Not so your spirit, — which, its fetters broken, 
 New strength and joyful liberty has gained ; 
 And soars away with eagle-like endurance 
 Up to the realms of everlasting light, 
 Where earth's dark mysteries for aye will vanish, 
 Where error wanes, and where there is no 
 
 night. — 
 To give you guidance in these realms ethereal, 
 Where angels often, men but seldom tread, 
 I '11 show you what my wondering eyes have 
 
 witnessed, 
 As by the mighty Cherub I was led 
 From this terrestrial ball to worlds angelic, 
 Yea, higher e'en, lip to Immanuel's throne ; 
 And what with skill and greatest care I 've painted 
 As God's own blessed light around me shone. — 
 
 I trow, when these " Celestial Scenes" have 
 reached you, 
 And you cognize them closely, you will say : 
 Though fair the colors are, and most enchanting, 
 Still, all, their earth-born harmonies betray; 
 Who then, I pray, can give me the assurance 
 
22 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 That those angelic worlds are as they seem 
 
 In these "Celestial Scenes" which are thus 
 
 painted 
 In hues that bright in mundane colors gleam? — 
 'T is true, my Dear, that I from things terrestrial 
 Have borrowed form and hue wherewith to show 
 What I have seen in those bright worlds em- 
 pyreal, 
 And what you ne'er can witness here below. — 
 If not from earth, — whence then should I have 
 
 taken 
 The colors fair to paint for mortal eyes 
 What God in his eternal love and wisdom 
 Has wrought in realms beyond the starry skies ? 
 From heaven itself? — How can you ask such 
 
 question ? 
 You, for whose eyes the sun's rays are too 
 
 bright, 
 How could you hope to view with sight so feeble 
 The brilliancy of heaven's eternal light? — 
 
 In that most precious Book which God has 
 given, 
 You oft with swells of blessedness have read 
 Of New Jerusalem, the glorious city, 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 23 
 
 Where none but holy beings ever tread ; 
 Whose broad foundations in their twelvefold 
 
 grandeur, 
 Whose shining walls, of purest jasper built, 
 Whose gates of pearl, and golden streets, with 
 
 rapture 
 The last of all the God-sent prophets filled. 
 You 've read of that clear stream of living water, 
 Which from the throne of the Eternal flows ; 
 And of the tree of life which, once in Eden, 
 Now in that far-off heavenly country grows, 
 Whose leaves are for the healing of the nations, 
 Whose fruits are twelvefold, every month anew ; 
 And of the crystal sea where all the ransomed 
 Forever praise their Savior good and true. — 
 You read, and then exclaimed with exultation : 
 O heaven, how beautiful ! my blessed home ; 
 Where I shall see my glorious Lord and Savior, 
 And those, he loved — and never more shall roam ! 
 
 But did you never think that these are 
 
 beauties. 
 Transferred from earth to realms of peerless 
 
 light, 
 Because our eyes, made for this world of shadows, 
 
24 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Could ne'er endure high heaven's effulgence 
 
 bright ? — 
 E'en so our Savior clothed his thoughts eternal 
 In garments, woven on the loom of time, 
 Revealing thus to our dim-sighted vision 
 The truths of God, immeasurably sublime. 
 For only by things known can we endeavor 
 To comprehend in part the realms on high. 
 Therefore, as in a glass, the Lord has shown us 
 What lies beyond the reach of mortal eye. — 
 
 Now whether my "Celestial Scenes" will 
 
 teach you 
 The wonders of almighty Power and*Love, 
 That you shall see and know when Christ, your 
 
 Savior, 
 Has called you to your blessed home above. 
 Till then, view in this wreath of blooming 
 
 myrtle 
 What man on earth can never comprehend. 
 And if it serves to give you joy in sorrow, 
 In darkness, light; — then I have gained my end. 
 
 And there are others who in sorrows many, 
 As through a veil of tears look up to God ; 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 25 
 
 Them also would I show these "Scenes Ce- 
 lestial," 
 
 To comfort, while they pass beneath the rod ; 
 
 And tell them of a world of light and glory, 
 
 Where sin is not, and pain can never be ; 
 
 Where those that come from earth's great tribu- 
 lation 
 
 Shall celebrate their glorious jubilee ! — 
 
■j^Ks] 
 
 TIPL MSR: 
 
 PART I. 
 
 ^he Universe." 
 
 1 Parts to follow are :' II. Creation ; III. Redemption ; IV. Con- 
 summation. 
 
■^\~ (& -\, 
 
 iMM&K^fc- 
 
 And they shaft call his name Immanuel. {Matt, i, 23.) 
 
 Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every 
 creature : for by him were all things created, that are in 
 heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, 
 whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or 
 powers : all things were created by him, and for him : 
 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist : 
 and he is the head of the body, the church : who is the 
 beginning, the first-born from the dead ; that in all things 
 he might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father 
 that in him should all fullness dwell ; and having- made 
 peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all 
 things unto himself ; by him, I say, whether they be things 
 in earth, or things in heaven. ( Col. i, ij-20.) 
 
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 'cene fffirst. 
 
 WAS on a summer-eve : the gentle 
 zephyr 
 Passed rustling through the leaves of shrub 
 
 and tree, 
 As I reclined upon a mossy hillside, 
 The glories of the setting sun to see. 
 
 fl looked upon that wondrous panorama, 
 Called Nature, which, in its proportions 
 
 grand, 
 Set forth a mighty Artist's skill and wisdom, 
 Though human eyes ne'er saw his working hand. 
 A fertile plain, with orchards decked, and gar- 
 dens, 
 And fields of ripening wheat and growing maize, 
 Stretched out before my eyes to where the colors 
 Seemed blended in the ever deepening haze. 
 Off toward the right a crystal sheet of water 
 Reflected the bright image of the sun, 
 
 29 
 
30 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 As slowly he approached the broad horizon, 
 Rejoicing in the course he just had run ; 
 While to the left arose in rugged splendor 
 A mountain, that appeared a mighty wall, 
 Built by Omnipotence, the plain to shelter 
 Against the storm-cloud's drear and blight- 
 ing pall. 
 A streamlet wound its way in windings many 
 Along the verdant meadows of the plain ; 
 And, laughingly, among the drooping willows 
 The distant lake, and rest, it sought to gain. 
 
 As thus in pensive mood I sat and won- 
 dered, 
 My eyes a-resting on the limpid stream, 
 A winged shadow flitted down the hillside, 
 Touching my forehead with its outer seam. 
 I raised my eyes, and there against the sun- 
 light 
 Two birds with outstretched wings coiled circles 
 
 drew ; 
 And higher, ever higher, they ascended, 
 Then straightway toward the mountain's summit 
 
 flew. 
 I followed them along their course till only 
 As tiny specks they in the heavens appeared ; 
 I followed still, intent with expectation, 
 But lost them as the rugged peak they 
 neared. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 31 
 
 "Gone! gone!" I said, my heart filled with 
 emotion ; 
 "Among the craggy cliffs they've built their 
 
 nest; 
 And now, that night is coming on, and darkness, 
 They 've sought their home, high on the mount- 
 ain's crest." 
 
 u O that my soul had wings!" I sighed most 
 plaintive ; 
 "And were but broken earth's mysterious bond, 
 I 'd fly away — away from care and sorrow, 
 Up to my home-land, in the great beyond ! 
 I 'd fly away to where my spirit's yearning, 
 The longing of my heart would be appeased ; 
 Where no more pains are, tears forever banished, 
 My troubled thpughts from fear of death re- 
 leased ; 
 Where ever fresh the stream of life is pouring 
 Down vernal plains, ne 'er scorched by sum- 
 mer's heat, 
 On whose fair shores the ransomed of the nations 
 In their eternal jubilee shall meet ; 
 Where I could view the works of God Almighty, 
 Where I might know creation's mystery, 
 And understand what now I see but dimly, 
 Redemption's plan in all eternity! — 
 There I would go, unchecked by fear of dis- 
 tance, 
 
32 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 No earthly pleasure should my heart decoy, 
 And seek beyond the stars, in heights supernal, 
 My soul's sweet paradise, and endless joy !" 
 
 Thus sighing, I gave vent to deep soul- 
 yearnings, 
 And tears, soft-burning, trickled down my cheeks, 
 As I, my weary eyelids still uplifted, 
 Gazed languidly along the mountain-peaks. 
 
 "Have patience yet a while!" I heard it 
 
 whispered 
 Among the rustling branches soft and low ; 
 "The time will come, when from earth's thrall 
 
 to heaven 
 And glorious liberty your soul may go." 
 
 The moments fled, the day was well-nigh 
 
 ended ; 
 Far in the west the mighty King of light, 
 Retiring fast and robed in brightest purple, 
 With smiling face looked back, and said, "Good 
 
 night !" 
 Then with his golden beam he touched the 
 
 hill-tops, 
 And their hard cheeks with fairest crimson 
 
 glowed. 
 I watched the colors while they slowly faded, 
 Nor earth nor heaven a trace of twilight showed. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 33 
 
 Surrounded now I was by night and darkness ; 
 But night, e'en more than day, with awe can fill. 
 She drew her gem-decked veil across the heavens, 
 And through my soul there passed a joyous 
 
 thrill. 
 "Look out upon the hills, the plains, the valleys," 
 The day had said, "God's handiwork to see !" — 
 "Look up toward yonder star, and gaze, and 
 
 marvel ; 
 And praise thy God !" — thus said the night to me. 
 I raised my eyes and scanned the starry heavens, 
 Until the deep-felt cry burst from my heart, 
 " O that in yonder light-land I might wander, 
 How gladly from this earth I would depart !" — 
 The starlight, twinkling, said, "In day eternal 
 With us through God's wide kingdom you shall 
 
 roam !" 
 And more and more their beams my soul en- 
 chanted, 
 And more and more I felt, Yon is my home ! 
 
34 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 S(£E]^E §ECO$ip. 
 
 [MYSTERIOUSLY there now sank down 
 
 upon me 
 A feeling strange; and like a radiant 
 stream 
 Of living light it bounded through my being. 
 Was it reality? — Was it a dream? — 
 But ere an answer to the questions many, 
 Which thus flashed up within me, I could find, 
 They, meteor-like, had vanished from my 
 
 vision. — 
 The what? — the how? — they troubled not my 
 mind. 
 
 I looked about, and saw, and gazed, and 
 marveled ; 
 The place itself seemed new to me and strange. 
 Then all at once my questing eye was captured 
 By a quaint form within my vision's range 
 Which seemed far more inscrutable and mystic 
 Than all things else, now open to my view. 
 Of hazy dimness first, then ever brighter, 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 35 
 
 As though with sunbeams clad, the being grew. 
 
 And still I saw its radiance increasing 
 
 Until it stood a pier of living fire. 
 
 What could it be?— an angel, sent from heaven?— 
 
 A spirit pure?— I dared not yet inquire. 
 
 When first I saw this form of light and luster, 
 I deemed it far away ; but as it grew 
 In brightness, I perceived it coming nearer, 
 Till now I found it standing in full view. 
 It searched my inmost heart, with eyes more 
 
 piercing 
 Than any eye of man I ever saw. 
 I wished to flee ; but void was my endeavor, 
 Held fast, so it appeared, by higher law. 
 
 I stayed, and looked at the mysterious being, 
 Expecting, though with terror, its first word. 
 'Twas all in vain !— I stayed, and looked, and 
 
 listened ; 
 But not a sound from its closed lips I heard. 
 With princely mien it stood, and gazed upon me. 
 I, trembling more and more, wished now to speak ; 
 But not a word, to question, could I utter. 
 The will I had, my heart with fear was weak. 
 
 The light-clad being saw my soul's great 
 anguish, 
 And soon I felt my confidence renewed ; 
 
36 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 For by its look, now changed to tender glowing, 
 My soul with trust and courage was imbued; 
 So that — my terror gone — I should have spoken, 
 Had I not heard a clear, melodious voice : 
 "Fear not, O child of earth," it said, "I'll 
 
 lead you 
 To worlds of light, where angel-hosts rejoice, 
 And where you oft have wished to go." — "Who 
 
 are you ?" 
 I cried; "one of the spirits near the throne 
 Of heaven above ? — one of the seven archangels 
 That ever praise Jehovah, God alone ?" 
 
 "I am a Cherub great ! — let this suffice you — 
 Sent by Immanuel, of heaven the King, 
 To lead you through the realms of light and 
 
 glory, 
 Up to the life-stream's ever flowing spring. 
 Then back to where God caused the first be- 
 ginning, 
 Where worlds were made, and spirits, clothed 
 
 with might, 
 That you might see the wonders of creation 
 Which were long ere the earth was bathed in 
 
 light ; 
 And how the quenchless fire was first enkindled 
 That devastation brought to realms of bliss, 
 From which proud Lucifer and those, rebellious, 
 Were hurled into the bottomless abyss; 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 37 
 
 Then too, how Man was made, and sorely 
 
 tempted. 
 And Sin destruction brought upon his race; 
 But also, how God's mighty Love redeemed him, 
 An everlasting monument of Grace! — 
 This you shall see, and understand more fully 
 The works of God, Redemption's love-born Plan ; 
 And why Immanuel, the Lord of angels, 
 Took, bore, and glorified the form of Man." 
 
 Thus spoke the heavenly being; and with 
 
 trembling 
 And ever growing awe I heard his speech, 
 In which far more was tendered me, than ever 
 I deemed within my mind's most daring reach. 
 "How can this be?" I asked, my heart a-throb- 
 
 bing; 
 "How can my feeble mind e'er comprehend 
 The wonders of God's Might and sovereign 
 
 Wisdom, 
 Where they began, and whitherto they tend?" 
 
 Again the Cherub spoke in tones most 
 
 solemn : 
 "Far is the way, and high beyond the flight 
 Of human thought, up to the heaven of heavens : 
 But not beyond a Cherub's will and might. 
 My arm shall bear you, strength will e'er be 
 
 given 
 
38 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 To mind and heart, and to your feeble eye, 
 That you may know the works of God Almighty, 
 As they are apprehended from on high." 
 
 No sooner had these words the Cherub 
 uttered 
 Than closer still he drew, and laid his hand, 
 I kneeling down before him, on my forehead, 
 And broken was the bond which to this land 
 Of night and error, and of sorrows many 
 My longing soul had chained, and which alone 
 Had hindered it — the God-born Breath im- 
 mortal — 
 From rising upward, toward its Maker's throne. 
 "Pray, is this death? and am I now in heaven?" 
 I asked, astonishment writ on my brow. 
 "This far surpasses all I fain had hoped for; 
 If ever I have lived, I 'm living now !" 
 "E'en without death man's spirit, in the image 
 Of God created," — I the Cherub heard, — 
 "May rise from earth and clay to heights 
 
 empyreal ; 
 As ofttimes you have read in Truth's sure 
 Word." 
 
 Thus now I stood, altho' upon the earth yet, 
 Surrounded — so it seemed — by light divine. 
 Did I belong to time? — to heaven already? 
 I hardly knew, so near the border-line. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 39 
 
 Sck^k TWSA 
 
 || FELT prepared now, though my heart 
 
 w> still trembled, 
 
 To follow him who from high heaven was 
 sent 
 
 To lead me to the realms of light, his home- 
 land; 
 
 So I had understood his word's intent. 
 "I 'm ready now," I said, high expectations 
 O'er dread and fear the victory had won ; 
 " And leaning on your arm, I may accomplish 
 What of myself I never could have done." 
 The Cherub raised his right hand toward the 
 
 heavens, 
 And with the other to his bosom close 
 He clasped me, as a mother would her darling, 
 And with him to his home-land I arose. — 
 
 Far in the west I saw the sun arising, 
 But faster, than I e'er had in the east. 
 In brightest hues the continents he painted; 
 The ocean seemed a brilliant amethyst. 
 
4-0 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 'T was charming to look down upon the earth- 
 ball. 
 One side of which lay bathed in solar light, 
 The other, plainly visible, though only 
 In the sad-somber garments of its night. 
 Then higher, ever higher, we ascended, 
 And lower sank the earth, and smaller grew. 
 I glanced ahead, — amazement filled my being! 
 A grand and glowing world-ball toward us flew. 
 
 I often with delight had seen fair Luna, 
 When silver-eyed she looked down from the 
 
 skies ; 
 But never in such awe-inspiring grandeur 
 As now she beamed upon my wondering eyes. 
 What glorious world! It filled my soul with 
 
 rapture 
 To gaze upon ten thousand shining peaks, 
 Ring-mountain-fortresses, and granite cities, 
 As one in vain among earth's wonders seeks. 
 
 We lingered not ; and downward rolled the 
 moon-ball, 
 Till far below — thus speedy was our flight- 
 It shone to me as when, soon after sunset, 
 It clothed the moorlands with its placid light. 
 Also the earth, with every fleeting moment 
 Grew smaller, viewing her from space so far, 
 Till to my eye she did not seem much larger 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 4 1 
 
 Than oft I 'd seen the radiant morning-star. 
 And like a child in following its mother 
 Along the meadow-path, now on this side, 
 Then, skipping round, seeks flowerets on the 
 
 other ; 
 So ever to and fro is seen to glide : 
 Thus I beheld the moon, the lesser planet, 
 Near mother-earth, though circling round and 
 
 round. 
 They moved along their orbit's spacious highway, 
 As if by mutual love together bound. 
 The sight was pleasing to my eye, and long- 
 time 
 It rested on their gleam, my soul was glad; 
 Till, suddenly, without a premonition, 
 There came on me a feeling lone and sad. 
 'T was Sorrow, veiled— though not in black- 
 that slyly 
 Drew nigh, in her soft-glowing eye a tear, 
 Which, falling down into my joy's pure fountain, 
 Disturbed and ruffled all its surface clear. 
 
 As when a youth, approaching nigh to man- 
 hood, 
 For the first time takes leave of childhood's home 
 To seek life's worth and fast-increasing fortunes, 
 And in a far-off country needs must roam, 
 Once more stands still— a sigh his bosom 
 
 heaving — 
 
 4 
 
42 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 And looks across the plains to where he sees 
 His father's house, the good and dear old home- 
 stead, 
 Soft-gleaming through the vistas of the trees : 
 Thus sadly I looked down upon the earth-star, 
 My home; and ne'er in all my life before 
 Did it appear so dear as at this moment, 
 When I had left it to return no more. 
 No more! — for so I understood the message 
 That by the mighty Cherub me was given, 
 And in accord with which e'en now he bore me, 
 As angels soar, up toward the highest heaven. 
 
 "Be cheerful, child of earth," I heard the 
 Cherub, 
 And presently, I felt my joy renewed ; 
 "Soon you shall see the earth, as by the angels, 
 In other than the sun's light, she is viewed." 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 43 
 
 Sce^e Fou£T¥< 
 
 HTH great delight I followed my good 
 Leader 
 Who bore me onward, toward Immanuel's 
 
 throne. 
 Once more I turned my eyes upon the 
 earth-star 
 Which now but with a feeble glimmer shone. 
 
 « How wondrous strange!" said I; "the earth 
 
 which always 
 I deemed so large, is but a twinkling star, 
 Less bright than ofttimes I have seen fair 
 
 Venus." 
 "Things may appear quite other than they are," 
 The Cherub said, and then explained more fully: 
 "Small is the earth, compared with yonder host 
 Of worlds and suns, and myriad-graded systems; 
 A raindrop in the ocean, — she is lost. 
 But not by weight, nor size of bulk, is measured 
 What in the mind of God is valued high. 
 In heavenly realms the earth far more esteemed is 
 Than all the systems which around her lie. 
 
44 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 The marvelous works of God that she has 
 
 witnessed, 
 Than which no other world has ever seen, 
 Have brought to her the crown of high dis- 
 tinction, 
 That she, though low-born, reigns a glorious 
 
 queen. 
 This you shall know more fully, when from heaven 
 You '11 see Immanuel's Beloved Star — 
 As angels call the earth — and all the God-works 
 Which in the Book of Truth recorded are." 
 
 As thus he spoke, he swiftly bore me upward, 
 While underneath fled earth and dreary night, 
 With every trice the journey fast increasing, 
 For slow was not the mighty Cherub's flight. 
 
 Yet was my mind engaged in contemplating 
 The wondrous things, I of the earth had learned, 
 In which, as I conceived, not only mankind, 
 But all angelic beings are concerned, 
 When I again the Cherub heard who, pointing 
 Straight forward, said: "See Jupiter, the bright, 
 Majestic star, as witnessed from your earth- 
 home; 
 Beholding which oft filled you with delight." 
 I looked ahead, and saw the prince of planets, 
 With bulk enormous, plunging down through 
 space ; 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 45 
 
 And his four moons, like wayward children 
 
 sporting, 
 Still, with the parent-world a-keeping pace. 
 
 It filled my soul with rapturous amazement, 
 As nearer drew what seemed a burning world, 
 From which great vapor-pillars rose, which, 
 
 spreading, 
 To wide-extended cloud-sheets were unfurled. 
 
 "How different is Jupiter than ever 
 I deemed, when viewing him from earth- below! 
 I thought, he too must teem with living beings, 
 But now I see, no herb on him can grow." 
 Thus I exclaimed. My Guide forthwith re- 
 sponded : 
 "No living being you on him can see! 
 As he now is, so was the earth, your home- 
 land; 
 As is the earth, so Jupiter shall be. 
 When that time comes, he also will be peopled 
 With creatures, as you 've read of earth, when God 
 For the abode of man had full prepared her, 
 And living beings called forth from the clod." — ■ 
 
 Most gladly I a moment would have lingered, 
 To contemplate more fully this grand world; 
 But onward sped the heavenly Guide, and down- 
 ward — 
 
46 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 For so it seemed — the fiery planet whirled. 
 I followed him in his receding motion 
 Till he but as a brilliant star appeared; 
 E'en then he seemed to me a light, fast fading, 
 As more and more the sun's bright orb he neared. 
 
 SeE^E FtFT¥- 
 
 RAISED my eye to where we now were 
 going, 
 And soon was greeted by another light. 
 'T was Saturn, with his moons around him 
 circling, 
 
 «^*And girded by two rings of silvery white. 
 And ever nearer drew the mighty planet; 
 What an imposing sight! my eyes were dazed; 
 A world-wheel, rolling through the spacious 
 
 heavens 
 With fiery retinue! I looked and gazed. 
 Was Jupiter o'erwhelming in his grandeur, 
 Much more the winged orb that now held sway 
 O'er all the powers of mind and soul. I 
 
 watched it, 
 As on it sped around the source of day. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 47 
 
 "Why are those rings?" I turned and asked 
 
 the Cherub; 
 And he forthwith gave me to understand: 
 "In seeing these, man, searching, may decipher 
 How worlds are formed by God's creative hand. 
 In ages past I 've seen the sun's bright children, 
 E'en Jupiter, encircled by a ring; 
 Also the earth." — "The earth a ring?" I 
 
 questioned ; 
 "Why, I have never heard of such a thing!" — 
 "And yet you have," he said; "for it is written, 
 How the Lord God the veil of darkness rent; 
 Then, how the upper from the lower waters 
 He separated by a firmament. — 
 These, when Immanuel in his own image 
 Created Adam, spanned the sunlit sky, 
 And filled the heart of man with admiration 
 W T hen to the mighty deep he raised his eye." 
 
 Thus spoke my Guide; and with fast-grow- 
 ing wonder 
 I heard the revelations of his speech; 
 Then asked: "Where, now, are those revolving 
 
 waters?" 
 And he who ever ready was to teach, 
 Gave answer: "The Almighty, — when the 
 
 children 
 Of men forsook the path of truth and life, 
 And, wandering far beyond the reach of mercy, 
 
48 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Soon for severest punishment were rife, — 
 Stretched forth his hand, and opened wide the 
 
 windows 
 Of heaven, and all the flood-gates of the deep; 
 And downward rushed the fierce and surging 
 
 torrents 
 And covered valleys broad and mountains steep. 
 'T was then that God destroyed the race of 
 
 scoffers, 
 And every living creature on the earth ; 
 And, sparing Noah — as you 've been instructed — 
 He to a new and better race gave birth." 
 
 So wondrous-strange seemed what the Cherub 
 told me, 
 And took so firm a hold upon my mind, 
 That I did not take note of fleeting moments, 
 Nor of the space, we swiftly left behind. 
 
 "Why, it is growing dark here! what has 
 happened? 
 Where is the ringed orb which shone so bright?" 
 I asked my guide, when I had looked about me, 
 And found no trace of Saturn's beaming light. 
 "A brilliant star you still can see the ring-world, 
 The brightest in the glittering vault below ; 
 And as on earth the mellow-gleaming north-light, 
 Shines here the distant sun's effulgent glow." 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 49 
 
 While thus the Cherub spoke, and bore me 
 
 onward, 
 I turned my eye whence came the sun-born 
 
 ray; 
 And there, far off, against the gem-decked 
 
 heavens 
 In lonely grandeur stood the light of day. 
 Though brighter still than all the hosts that 
 
 twinkled 
 Along the borders of immensity; 
 Yet not, as ever I was wont to see it, 
 In all-surpassing power and brilliancy. 
 I saw the planets Jupiter and Saturn, 
 Both, seemingly, not distant from the sun; 
 I saw them as I oft before had seen them, 
 When light and day their mutual course had 
 
 run. 
 And still I gazed into the depths below me ; — 
 My heart was longing for another star- 
 In vain; — I could not find the tiny earth-ball, 
 Great distance to my vision proved a bar. 
 
 u Is that cold Neptune yond?" I asked the 
 Cherub, 
 As I beheld a new, soft-gleaming ball, 
 Which — for thus rapidly my Guide ascended— 
 From out the stellar regions seemed to fall. 
 The Cherub said : "It's not as you imagine; 
 
 5 
 
50 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 We 're far beyond the realm where Neptune 
 
 sways ; 
 What you behold, the last is of the planets, 
 Which man has not yet found, so dim its rays." 
 
 My eye with pleasure followed the new 
 planet, 
 Till — rushing past us, far off to the right, 
 Where it resembled earth as seen from Luna — 
 It in the deep below sank out of sight. 
 
 §£K£[E Sj^T¥ 
 
 u ||||E now have reached the point," I 
 
 heard the Cherub, 
 "Where you can still behold the sun's 
 
 bright face, 
 Though farther penetrates the solar star- 
 light. — 
 
 No planet ever rolls through this drear space. 
 Lone comets only, wandering stars, which often 
 You 've witnessed sweeping through the vaulted 
 
 skies, 
 May swing beyond the sun's remotest planet, 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 51 
 
 When, wayward, they to other sun-realms rise. 
 The cold, unfathomed depths now lie before us, 
 That from the sun yon glittering stars divide, 
 Which, as to cheer your soul in dismal darkness, 
 E'er seem to beckon from the other side. 
 You'll deem unbounded the abysmal chasms 
 Through which we needs must pass ; but as the 
 
 flight 
 Of lightning from the storm-cloud ; yea, e'en 
 
 faster, 
 I '11 bear you upward, toward the realms of light. 
 The great sun Sirius first, and then the cluster, 
 You've named Orion, mark our journey's course. 
 Then, soaring far beyond that sun-lit girdle, 
 We '11 reach of light and life the primal Source." 
 
 Immeasurable already seemed the distance 
 Through which the mighty Cherub led the way. 
 When I looked back : no trace I saw of planets, 
 The glorious sun himself, — a glimmering ray. 
 Yet, we had but commenced the heavenward 
 
 journey! 
 What did it mean, to reach the journey's end? 
 I gazed out, into distant world-strewn spaces, 
 I gazed and thought, — but could not comprehend. 
 And presently I felt upon my forehead 
 The Cherub's hand, and through my being 
 
 flowed 
 New strength, so that again with joy and courage, 
 
52 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 I could look up, along the star-paved road. 
 "You now can soar with me," I heard the Cherub, 
 "Up, far beyond that distant sun-bound zone, 
 As angel heralds do, when they with rapture 
 From world to world Immanuel's will make 
 known." 
 
 The sun-born rays which, leaping o'er the 
 chasms 
 That lie between the molten central hearth 
 And Vulcan, Mercury, and gentle Venus, 
 In eight short minutes spring upon the earth, 
 Were lagging far behind, — thus sped we onward. 
 This I could well discern by looking back : 
 In front I saw ten thousand worlds a-blazing ; 
 Behind, — no night on earth e'er was so black. 
 
 When thus full many an hour, as time is 
 measured 
 On earth, had passed, and Sirius would not show, 
 By light increased, that he was drawing nearer, 
 I longed to see the sun-star's fading glow. 
 The Cherub who had read my thoughts and 
 
 wishes, 
 To gratify, abated his swift flight; 
 Then, pointing downward, whence we 'd come, 
 
 he told me : 
 "You still can see the sun-star, beaming bright." 
 With wistful eyes I scanned the depths below me, 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 53 
 
 And searched amongst the myriad specks of 
 
 light 
 Which filled the deep expanse ; but none 
 
 purported 
 That it alone marked out the sun-ball's site. 
 I turned, perplexed, and said: "Though stars 
 
 unnumbered, 
 Some faint, some large and bright, I see full 
 
 well ; 
 Yet, which among the many stars that sparkle 
 The earth's great sun is, that I can not tell." 
 
 Again the Cherub pointed with his finger. — 
 And there, upon the winged Eagle's fringe 
 I saw — as often I had seen Altair — 
 A steady gleaming star with golden tinge. 
 "That star I saw, but took it for Altair." 
 So I ; the Cherub thereupon replied : 
 "The one, you've named, is seen in lesser 
 
 brightness ; 
 The other, larger one, close by his side, 
 The earth-sun is." — With joy and sweet emotion 
 My eye now rested on the golden ray. 
 Though but a star ; 't was yet the self-same luster 
 Which oft on earth had cheered life's lonely way. 
 
 Not many moments, though, could even the 
 sun-beam 
 Enthrall my eye, subserved to beauty's law ; 
 
54 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 O'erhead — beneath — on every side, the grandeur 
 Of God's creation filled my soul with awe ! 
 I ofttimes with delight and admiration 
 From earth's dark shade beheld the twinkling 
 
 light 
 Of myriad stars and systems ; but they never 
 Seemed so majestic as from this deep night, 
 Far out amidst the interstellar spaces, 
 So distant from the sun's all-powerful glare ; 
 And shining as the morning ray when bathing 
 In dewdrops, turning them to jewels rare. 
 The ruby's fiery hue, the crystal azure 
 Of th' amethyst, the chrysoberyl's green, 
 Shone out from every side in richer splendor 
 Than human eye on earth has ever seen. 
 The three times four most precious stones which 
 
 sparkled 
 Upon the breast of Israel's high-priest, 
 When he, as intercessor, with burnt-offerings 
 His people from their sins and guilt released, 
 And those the holy Seer beheld, when heaven 
 Was open to his gaze, and he espied 
 Jerusalem the New, th' Eternal City 
 Of man redeemed, the Lamb's beloved Bride : 
 These did not shine in beauty more entrancing, 
 In colors more superb, than to my eye 
 The suns and worlds, and gorgeous constellations, 
 As I beheld them on the boundless sky. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 55 
 
 g£E£[E gEVEOT¥ 
 
 GAIN my Guide sped on, his course pur- 
 suing, 
 Sun-distances were swiftly left behind ; 
 When all at once a streak of light flashed 
 
 by us, 
 And I received an impulse as of mind. 
 I saw and felt — and gone was the impression — 
 Then quickly turned, again to see the light, 
 Forgetting for a time our own fast motion, 
 And gazed into the pit of blackest night. 
 "What was this flash of living light?" I ques- 
 tioned 
 The Cherub ; and he quickly made reply : 
 "It was an angel, sent by man's Redeemer 
 To strengthen those who on his Grace rely, 
 Sustaining them in strife with evil spirits, 
 That ever seek their thoughts to lead astray. 
 So he informed."— " How could he?" quickly 
 
 asked I, 
 "While passing swifter than a sun-born ray?" 
 
56 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Again the Cherub gave me information : 
 " A spirit to another can impart 
 By one quick glance, without a moment's pausing, 
 If he so wills, the purport of his heart. 
 If man can fathom man, though dark his being, 
 And human eye oft read the human mind ; 
 How much more spirits, in whom deep dis- 
 cernment, 
 Quick thought, and ripe experience are com- 
 bined I" 
 
 What I thus learned of angels and their 
 
 power 
 So occupied my mind and every thought, 
 That I did not perceive how fast the journey 
 By my good Guide through this dark space was 
 
 wrought. 
 Orion seemed to raise his form gigantic, 
 And farther spread the stars upon his belt. 
 His arm was stretched high up against the 
 
 heavens, 
 And lower sank the ground on which he 
 
 knelt. 
 Mad Taurus to the left, with force tremendous, 
 His great round eyeballs glaring wild and 
 
 fierce, 
 His head and horns bent low, seemed rushing 
 
 forward 
 As though the Hunter's body he would pierce^ 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 57 
 
 Then slowly I perceived the light increasing, 
 As when Aurora hails the new-born day, 
 While onward sped the heavenly Cherub, scaling 
 The stellar heights as only spirits may. 
 'T was plain, we were approaching the dominions 
 Of Sirius, who shone, not like a star, 
 More like the sun, as viewed from ringed Saturn, 
 Though distant yet, full twenty times as far. 
 With joy I saw his radiance increasing, 
 Till he surpassed the solar noonday glare ; 
 When, all at once, a gleaming Sirius-planet 
 Of my attention claimed the greater share. 
 I saw him, as before I 'd seen the earth-moon, 
 And could distinguish clouds, and land, and sea. 
 Not long, however, for he quickly vanished, 
 And as I thought, it seemed a dream to me. 
 
 I gladly would have tarried here, the better 
 To note the wonders of this far-off world, 
 And how in life-forms new, replete, and varied 
 The power of God Almighty was unfurled. 
 "Far greater are the marvels that await you !" 
 The Cherub said ; and piercing light-filled space, 
 Soon Sirius shone in brightness more resplendent 
 Than ever I had seen the earth-sun's face ; 
 This, too, of radiance was the fullest measure, 
 We from his over-bounteous store received. 
 One moment ! and great Sirius had vanished, 
 And we of his effulgence were bereaved. 
 
58 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 We hastened on through dark and dismal regions, 
 Tov/ard Rigel — as on earth the orb is known; 
 But long it was, before that luminary 
 In other than a star's bright luster shone. 
 The distance seemed as far as from the earth- 
 star 
 To Sirius, though shorter much the time. 
 With rapture I beheld the constellations 
 In rolling change, exceedingly sublime ! 
 
 Now ever brighter grew the dazzling cluster, 
 Orion, — though his aspect disappeared. 
 The stars and systems formed new combinations, 
 As we his glorious, world-bound empire neared. 
 My eyes were fixed on Rigel's lustrous splendor 
 Who more and more filled space with light 
 
 of day. 
 Soon he loomed up, a sun in dazzling brightness ; 
 Then to the right I saw him fade away. 
 
 Past other suns and high-revolving systems 
 The Cherub bore me, fast as angels fly. 
 I hardly noted time's swift flight, so wondrous 
 Appeared the myriad worlds, a-rolling by. 
 I glanced around — my Guide his speed abating — 
 And found myself surrounded by a new 
 Star-heaven. O'erhead, the brilliant hosts ex- 
 panded; 
 Beneath, the starry circles closer drew. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 59 
 
 Again the Cherub paused, and pointed down- 
 ward, 
 That I once more might note the sun-star's 
 
 gleam. 
 Not far from Sirius I saw it glisten, 
 A tiny speck, with ever fading beam. 
 
 SeEi^E E{<syT¥ 
 
 ^MAJESTIC now loomed up before my 
 vision 
 ^ The starry belt known as the milky way, 
 
 yS And which, as seen from earth, o'erspans 
 the heavens, 
 A gorgeous arch in wonderful array. 
 I found no more so few of suns and systems 
 In these high regions as I had in those 
 Through which, thus far, the heavenly Guide 
 
 had led me, 
 And where the life-sustaining earth-sun glows, 
 Instead of gazing into starry heavens 
 I now beheld a heaven of suns, more bright 
 Than man's imagination ever pictured 
 In this faint, milky stream of nickering light. 
 
60 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Not only suns and planetary systems 
 In varied orders now rolled into view; 
 Gigantic nebulae, wide-spreading masses, 
 I also saw, august in form and hue. 
 
 What here I saw in ever-changing colors, 
 In shapes grotesque, yet marvelously grand; 
 And how my being throbbed with deep emotion, 
 Who can depict, who paint with mortal hand ? 
 On either side the clusters rose like mountains, 
 Far, far beyond the reach of human gaze ; 
 Beneath, there rolled a sea of gold and crystal, 
 Its distant shores lost in a silvery haze. 
 And on we bounded, toward a lucid portal, 
 Arched high o'er shining avenues of light ; 
 We passed beneath, and wonders new and 
 
 many 
 Enhanced my soul's delight : off to the right 
 There towered aloft, it seemed, a mighty palace, 
 With domes, arcades, and columns, manifold ; 
 To leftward, it appeared a sunny garden, 
 Surrounded by a wall of pearl and gold. 
 Then on, and on, o'er fields of light and luster, 
 Through colonnades, majestic in their cast, 
 Till overawed by e'er-increasing glories, 
 By multiplied immensities, at last 
 My strength gave way, and darkness veiled my 
 
 vision, 
 Although surrounded by vast floods of light. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 6 1 
 
 With faltering hand I clung unto the Cherub 
 Who sped away in his own wonted might. 
 
 "Too much! too much!" I cried, my heart 
 
 a-sinking, 
 "Too great these wonders for a human mind ! 
 How dare I hope to gaze upon the glories 
 You promised me, if these my vision blind ? 
 O take me back to earth, the home of mortals, 
 That I on it the works of God may praise, 
 Until, endowed with resurrection power, 
 The Lord my soul to these fair realms will raise." 
 The Cherub made reply: "Strength shall not 
 
 fail you, 
 To view the glories of Immanuel's throne. 
 My hand will guide you safely through the 
 
 heavens, 
 Up to creation's most exalted zone. 
 When we have reached the palace of Prince 
 
 Michael, 
 Your power of soul, now faint, shall be made rife 
 With strength, imparted ever new, as angels 
 Receive it from the Fount of Bliss and Life." 
 
 Again I felt the Cherub's hand, bestowing 
 New hope and courage to my wavering soul. 
 Now, all my weakness gone, I felt a longing 
 As ne'er before, to reach the heavenly goal. 
 
62 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Sce^k £[j#to- 
 
 Hi GAIN we journeyed on through realms 
 
 unnumbered, 
 And swiftly passed the suns on either side ; 
 Till, suddenly, there yawned before my 
 
 vision 
 A dismal void, unbounded, lone, and wide. 
 This did not seem to me like those broad chasms 
 That span the stellar hosts. From this drear 
 
 night 
 There shone no gleaming worlds, no starry 
 
 heavens, 
 Not even a nebula's soft, hazy light. 
 
 "Is this the utmost limit of creation? 
 Yond the eternal night that bounds it all? 
 In that great deep there gleam no star-lit 
 
 heavens, 
 Primeval darkness reigns in dread appall." 
 Thus I, with doubt, wdien more and more had 
 
 vanished 
 The realm of lustrous worlds through which 
 
 we'd sped, 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 63 
 
 And ever farther into dungeon blackness 
 My Guide with unabating swiftness led. 
 "Not are so limited God's works, as seemeth 
 To you," the Cherub quickly made reply ; 
 Then, pointing forward, tendered information : 
 "More worlds and systems over yonder lie." 
 
 I turned, and searched in the direction given, 
 And noted soon a disc with soft, pale gleam, 
 Appearing like a star behind a vesture 
 Of floating mists, diffusing its bright beam. 
 "What you behold," continued then the Cherub, 
 "Yon tiny speck, surrounded by a dim, 
 vSoft glow, is one of seven vast world-creations, 
 Like this, we 've traversed to its outer rim. 
 Far greater is the deep, dark void that lieth 
 Before us now, than those wide gulfs which we 
 Have left behind, in coming from the earth- 
 star; 
 But speedier, too, our journeying shall be." 
 
 Long time I pondered on the depth of 
 
 meaning 
 Of these strange words. Howe'er the more 
 
 I thought, 
 The more I felt perplexed ; and ere I knew it, 
 A portion great of our high tour was wrought. 
 How rapidly the Cherub pierced the distance, 
 I could not tell in this most darksome night. 
 
64 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 No star beamed out, no glorious constellations, 
 In whose swift change I might have traced our 
 flight. 
 
 "I do not comprehend your words' deep 
 import," 
 I said, "of seven divisions which compose 
 Creation's whole. — Behind us are the systems 
 Through which we came, and where the sun- 
 ball glows ; 
 Before us, naught but yonder gleaming cloudlet. 
 Wherever else in search I turn my eye, 
 The densest night confronts me ; not a glimmer 
 Betokens other worlds, afar or nigh." 
 Again the Cherub spoke, and gave instruction : 
 "And yet it is, forsooth, as I have told; 
 The universe has seven great world-creations, 
 And each creation, systems manifold. 
 The sunny realms, we left so far beneath us, 
 And which seemed infinite, in one great zone 
 With other six, e'en more superb in splendor, 
 Revolve around Immanuel's radiant throne. 
 And what to you appears a growing cloudlet 
 Another is of these divisions, — great 
 And numerous systems which, their luster 
 
 blending, 
 Space, thus remote, with mellow light inflate. 
 Archangel Michael in those light-filled regions — 
 His principality — the scepter sways. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 65 
 
 There, entering his lucid palace, you shall 
 Cognize Jehovah's wondrous plans and ways." 
 
 Long time I thought upon these words, then 
 answered : 
 ''Infinite seemed the universe, when I 
 From earth looked* up, and scanned the starry 
 
 heavens. 
 But not so, now !" The Cherub made reply : 
 "Still, greater are God's works than mind can 
 
 fathom ! 
 In space's realm the sun-built systems roll 
 Through which we came,' and those you see o'er 
 
 yonder, 
 And others more ; but not creation's whole !" 
 Then, after pausing, my good Guide continued : 
 "When space's bounds in spirit you '11 transcend, 
 You then, through light divine, the God-efful- 
 gent, 
 Shall see, what now you can not comprehend. 
 Then you shall view the earth from heights 
 
 amaranthine, 
 As angels when they note a sinner's rue; 
 And stand before the throne of King Immanuel, 
 Source of the Beautiful, the Good, the True !" 
 
 " I shall behold the glorious King of heaven ! 
 Immanuel upon his throne !" I said 
 With throbbing heart and woeful apprehension ; 
 
 6 
 
66 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 "It fills my very soul with fear and dread. 
 Too high such honor for an earth-born being !" 
 The Cherub drew me closer and replied, 
 Whilst ever nearer the great goal he bore me : 
 u 'Tis very true, you now could not abide 
 The presence of Immanuel, so radiant 
 Is the effulgence of the God-born light. 
 First you must drink of the life-giving fountain 
 Which puissance imparts to spirit-sight." 
 
 The Cherub's words dispelled my apprehen- 
 sions ; 
 My fear was gone, once more my heart felt free. 
 I longed to ken heaven's mysteries, delighted 
 That such great honor lay in store for me. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 6j 
 
 SeEJ^E Te#T¥- 
 
 UT soon my pondering mind again was 
 troubled. 
 "That I, indued with angel-power, may see 
 Immanuel, the glorious King, I well can 
 Perceive ; but earth from heaven ! how can 
 this be?" 
 
 "Man's knowledge is of God and truth no 
 measure !" 
 The Cherub now replied with earnest mien ; 
 "Much, wrapped in mystery for his dim vision, 
 Is clearly witnessed by an eye more keen. 
 Yea, even the things which stand in light ap- 
 parent, 
 Still from his search their inmost being hide ; 
 And though he tries to penetrate the secret, 
 'T is vain ; he only scans the outer side. 
 So it will be when you 've attained the power 
 Of angel vision. Seeing, you shall see — 
 Space overcome— unbarred by depth of distance ; 
 Though knowing not how it, forsooth, can be. 
 
68 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Then you '11 perceive what lies in farthest regions, 
 As though by spirit-effort it drew nigh ; 
 And things, transpiring on the tiny earth-star, 
 Will seem to stand before your wondering eye." 
 
 Whilst thus the heavenly Guide my heart 
 enlightened, 
 Preparing it for wonders many and great, 
 He bore me, unperceived, through depths un- 
 fa thomed, 
 Toward distant fields of light with spirit rate. 
 The darkness which so long our path had com- 
 passed, 
 Grew less and less ; and far ahead there beamed 
 A sun-strewn disc of radiant glow, and from it 
 A flood of light in all directions streamed. 
 
 "Another universe!" I cried, "more lucent 
 And grand than that in which the earth-sun 
 
 glows." 
 How gloriously it spread before my vision 
 As we toward its resplendent center rose ! 
 The Cherub paused and gently touched my 
 
 forehead, 
 Imparting vigor to my failing sight, 
 Then swiftly toward the shining sun-realms 
 
 bore trie, 
 Till presently we reached its borders bright. 
 Not only could I now endure the splendor 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 69 
 
 Which met my eye in floods of dazzling rays ; 
 It also seemed, the suns were clothed in luster 
 As heretofore had never met my gaze. 
 
 On, on we sped, as speed the angel-heralds, 
 Past sunny hosts in marvelous array. 
 It filled my soul with rapture e'er increasing, 
 As I beheld them come and rush away. 
 As when in sailing 'cross the wild Atlantic, 
 One sees ten thousand billows, decked with foam, 
 Approach the vessel's keel with ceaseless rolling, 
 And then majestically past it roam : 
 Thus I looked out upon the mighty ocean 
 Of suns and systems, fathomless and wide ; 
 And ever new world-billows rolled before me, 
 And passed me swiftly by on either side. 
 
 More than ten times the distance of Orion 
 We 'd left behind in coining through this part 
 Of God's creation ; and with every gleaming 
 And new sun-cluster I within mv heart 
 Had vainly hoped that this of our long journey 
 The goal might be, Prince Michael's palace 
 
 bright, 
 When I with joy the Cherub heard, who, pointing 
 Straight forward, said: "Within that realm of 
 
 light 
 Which there you see, more brilliant than the 
 
 others, 
 
JO CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 The goal is of our journey." Quickly I 
 With eager look compared the gleaming systems, 
 And soon beheld a cluster drawing nigh, 
 More lucid than all else. Large as Orion, 
 When viewed from earth, these beaming hosts 
 
 appeared. 
 Perceptibly they spread — a heaven of sun- 
 globes — 
 As we their light-effulgent border neared. 
 "These are the realms whence I began my 
 
 journey 
 To earth," the Guide continued, "that your 
 
 heart 
 Might realize the vastness of God's empire, 
 And of his love-begotten plans a part." 
 
 ^,MTi& 
 
 tMd^lW^ 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 7 1 
 
 S(XE^E EliEVE^TO 
 
 ,| ! M|HILST thus the Cherub gave me infor- 
 IPH mation, 
 
 The floods of light increased with rapid 
 
 flow ; 
 Until the whole expanse, spread out be- 
 
 ^ fore me, 
 
 With dazzling luminaries was aglow. 
 
 Then it appeared as though it were a palace, 
 Built of ten thousand suns and systems great. 
 Ne'er had I seen such majesty unfolded 
 'Mongst all the gorgeous hosts of realms create. 
 Its flashing spires stretched into heights dis- 
 tracting, 
 Beyond the reach of eye its blazing walls ; 
 A portal grand, by thousand suns surrounded, 
 Showed us the way into its shining halls. 
 On either side the starry clusters towered 
 Like columns, by Omnipotence uptossed, 
 Till in a firmament of beaming systems 
 Their scintillating capitals were lost. 
 
72 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 The brilliancy by which I was surrounded 
 In this light-realm, the august stateliness, 
 Imagination, subtle gift of heaven, 
 Ne'er can conceive, nor human words express. 
 
 Unnumbered spheres, far brighter than the 
 day-star 
 Which light imparts to man's atomic world, 
 In circles small and great around each other, 
 As though pervaded by a life-breath, whirled. 
 In such harmonious order were these clusters 
 Around each other grouped, that every sun 
 In this superb display of colors added 
 To the enchantment of the nearer one. 
 Had not the Cherub, ere these heights we en- 
 tered, 
 Imparted vigor to my heart and mind, 
 I ne'er could have endured the radiation 
 Of light and hues, so wondrously combined. 
 
 These suns, I also noticed, were encircled 
 With planet-worlds in orbits far and nigh, 
 The home of angel-beings, so the Cherub 
 Informed me, as we passed a number by. 
 Though these shone brightly, yet they 'd not the 
 
 luster 
 Of the surrounding suns ; more like the moon, 
 With fulgor, borrowed from the central fires, 
 They gleamed, among the radiant sun-orbs strewn. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 73 
 
 Each planet traced around that sphere its 
 
 pathway, 
 Whence it received the fullest share of light. 
 But, as unnumbered sun-balls fill the heavens 
 With constant glow, there can be here no 
 
 night. 
 
 "I pictured heaven," thus I, to my great 
 Leader, 
 "As though 'twere but a single place; now I 
 Perceive it otherwise to be." — The Cherub, 
 Instructing me more fully, made reply : 
 "You ofttimes in God's Book have read of 
 
 heavens, 
 Which shadow forth Jehovah's might and praise ; 
 And though man's mind can never grasp their 
 
 number, 
 Still, they are but a portion of his ways. 
 But in that Book is also plainly written 
 That o'er the heavens the heaven of heavens 
 
 extends, 
 Seat of Jehovah's throne, whose radiant bright- 
 ness 
 The light combined of all these heavens tran- 
 scends." 
 
 "Will I attain this glorious heaven of heav- 
 ens?" 
 I asked the Cherub ; then heard him unfold : 
 
74 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 "When you have drank trom the life-giving 
 
 fountain, 
 You shall Immanuel therein behold." 
 
 Sg;e^k TTWELiFTy- 
 
 Gx\IN the Cherub pointed toward a 
 circle 
 Of radiant suns, and said: "When these 
 
 are gained, 
 We 've reached our goal, the palace of 
 Prince Michael; 
 Where since creation's early morn he's reigned." 
 I had no more than heard these welcome tidings, 
 And turned to gaze upon the sun : decked globe, 
 When I beheld a swift-approaching angel, 
 Who bore upon his arm a streaming robe. 
 His own glared like the hoar-frost's pearly glitter 
 When winter's morning-sun peers through the 
 
 bough 
 Of beech and elm, and on each bush there 
 
 glistens 
 A crown, as ne'er adorned a kingly brow. 
 His countenance appeared as does the lightning 
 When it illumes the lonely traveler's way, 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 75 
 
 Who gropes along in darkness, black and somber, 
 And deepest night is turned to sudden day. 
 
 But what a marvel ! Quick as thought, a 
 brightness 
 Burst from the Cherub, too, as I 'd not seen 
 Before, and filled my heart with awe and rapture ; 
 To me he seemed a form of living sheen. 
 His garment shone as though 't were interwoven 
 With threads of gold ; his visage flashed as bright 
 As that of the refulgent angel-herald ; 
 His eye betokened e'en superior light. 
 It seemed, my Leader, though with sheen in- 
 vested, 
 His high cherubic glory had concealed ; 
 And erst, when the transplendent angel-herald 
 Approached, he, too, his heavenly garb revealed, 
 Whereby of his high rank and role he taught me. 
 For in these glorious realms, I noted soon, 
 The outward semblance corresponds most fully 
 With inner worth, yea, is its source and boon. 
 
 "Great is Jehovah ! Majesty and honor 
 Be unto God, the everlasting King!" — 
 "Great is Immanuel ! Let all the heavens, 
 All angels glory and devotion bring!" — 
 Thus greeted the swift-winged angel-herald, 
 And thus my Guide his greeting quick returned. 
 Ne'er had I heard such heavenly salutations, 
 
j6 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 And ne'er my heart with expectation bnrned, 
 As when these two angelic beings greeted 
 Each other. Then with silent, princely look 
 Each in the other's eye his thoughts discerned, 
 As though they read them in an open book. 
 
 Then my good Guide prehended the white 
 
 garment 
 Out of the angel's hand, and said to me: 
 "This robe was sent that you for holy angels' 
 Companionship and life prepared might be. 
 For only what is bright and pure can enter 
 The heaven of heavens, and stand before the 
 
 throne 
 Of King Immanuel !" — Whilst thus I heard 
 
 him, 
 The angel's eye in tender beauty shone. 
 
 And soon I was enrobed with the bright 
 garment, 
 The angel kindly lent a helping hand, 
 Then turned about and swept away before us, 
 As he had come, toward the angelic land. 
 An instant ! and he shot beyond my vision ; 
 I found myself alone with my good Guide, 
 Who then again pursued the journey, holding 
 Me, as he 'd done before, close to his side. 
 I turned my look upon his beaming presence, 
 As though I saw him now for the first time. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. ^ 
 
 And he, well knowing what my heart was pon- 
 dering, 
 Because he read my thoughts e'en in their prime, 
 Remarked: "It seems so strange to you that 
 
 brighter 
 My countenance is beaming, and my pall, 
 Than hitherto you Ve seen. So I '11 inform you : 
 My body which created was withal 
 Of light divine, shines thus in pristine glory, 
 Emitting only what Jehovah's hand 
 Therein has treasured when he caused my being; 
 That I before his throne in heaven might stand. 
 But he has also vested me with power 
 That, when on ministrations I am sent, 
 As now, I may attire in garb less glaring, 
 And thereby pain to weakened eyes prevent." 
 
78 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 SCE^E T¥i5TEE^T¥. 
 
 jB rapidly approached the radiant circle 
 Of suns — our journey's long-desired 
 goal. 
 Ne'er had I seen, not in the brightest re- 
 gions, 
 
 ^ Such splendent orbs before my vision roll. 
 Sphere girding sphere — my mind thus appre- 
 hended — 
 They all in perfect harmony revolved. 
 What for a moment seemed a glowing center, 
 Soon into thousand radiant suns resolved. 
 I also here beheld — what seemed so wondrous 
 And strange — new colors, colors fulgent bright, 
 As human eye on earth has never witnessed 
 Beneath the day-star's gleam of sevenfold light. 
 Nor are there terms in man's so meager lan- 
 guage, 
 To give expression to the manifold 
 And varied works of God; nor things terrestrial 
 By which to image heavenly forms untold. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 79 
 
 "What gorgeous beauty!" I exclaimed, en- 
 raptured, 
 When we had reached, what I of surety deemed 
 The sun-realm's center, and an orb stupendous 
 And heavenly fair before my vision gleamed. 
 "This is Prince Michael's glorious habitation, 
 The home of those who in his presence stand," 
 The Cherub said. "Here in the light of heaven 
 You '11 view the marvels of Immanuel's hand." 
 
 Not with the glare of the surrounding sun-orbs 
 This angel- world shone out ; more like a globe, 
 Of purest crystal formed, reflecting clearly 
 The light received, as its own lustrous robe. 
 
 Now downward — so it seemed — we quickly 
 journeyed 
 Thewhilst the beauties of this heavenly world, 
 Which waxed with every moment larger, grander, 
 To my astounded mind were fast unfurled. 
 I noted sunny plains and blissful valleys, 
 And rivers which like cords of silver shone, 
 And pearly lakes that glistened on the land- 
 scapes 
 As does at noon the light-enkindled stone. 
 No hazy mists, nor film of cloud enveloped 
 The broad serene, far as my eye could see. 
 The purest sunlight — aye, of suns unnumbered 
 And fairest-hued — filled all with heavenly glee. 
 
80 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Still ever onward, high o'er plains and valleys, 
 The Cherub leisurely his course pursued, 
 Whilst underneath a gorgeous panorama, 
 Sublimely fair, in constant change, I viewed. 
 'Twas soul-entrancing thus to look upon the 
 Emblazoned seas, and river-systems grand, 
 And on the garden plains and flowery highlands 
 That stretched along their ever-balmy strand, 
 Where, also, I beheld the homes of angels, 
 Bright as on earth there never shone a gem 
 Or sheeny diamond, valued e'er so highly, 
 On sceptered hand or royal diadem. 
 And angels, too, in groups I saw ; their garments 
 White-glistening, like new-fallen Alpine snow, 
 Among the tender lawns of life-tree orchards 
 Which only in a heavenly country grow. 
 And blissful sweet their melodies resounded, 
 A stream of praise enlivening the whole 
 Surrounding space, and ever new inciting 
 The joy-swells of my heaven-enraptured soul. 
 
 Full well a thousand times the earth-ball's 
 circuit 
 We swiftly thus accomplished, roaming high 
 O'er the bright angel-world, whilst underneath us 
 The wonders in one grand survey swept by. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 8 1 
 
 SeE^E Fou£TEEOT¥. 
 
 ;AT is that beaming radiance?" I 
 questioned, 
 len I beheld a sheen, surpassing fair, 
 That fringed, Aurora-like, the far horizon, 
 As though a mighty sun were rising 
 there. 
 
 The Cherub answered: "We are fast ap- 
 proaching 
 Prince Michael's capital and palace bright; 
 In which, up to the heaven of heavens ascending, 
 You '11 see God's works in other than the light 
 Of suns." — High expectation ne'er pulsated 
 So mightily within me, as when I 
 Was thus advised, and the great angel-city, 
 Prince Michael's wondrous capital, drew nigh. 
 
 As fairly traceable the glorious city 
 In all her grandeur lay before my eyes, 
 I thought of that bright, fiery red which oft- 
 times 
 The sun had painted on earth's western skies, 
 
82 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 And which to me appeared a heavenly city, 
 Bnilt of fine gold and the most precious stone, 
 Through whose high palaces and spacious portals 
 The light of God in pure irradiance shone. 
 What on the earth was naught but a delusion, 
 And fancy's genial work, that here appeared 
 In sumptuous reality, the more we 
 This golden-hued, palatial city neared. 
 Yea, more than thousand times the dazzling 
 
 splendor 
 Of Michael's palace which before us gleamed, 
 Surpassed the fiery hues that in the evening 
 Earth's cloud-enrobed horizon overstreamed. 
 
 "Will I behold the great archangel, Michael?" 
 I asked the Cherub, who instructed me: 
 " You '11 stand, as I've presaged, within his 
 
 palace ; 
 But can not now behold the Prince, for he 
 Is, where you came from, on the distant earth- 
 star." — 
 "Prince Michael on the earth!" burst from my 
 
 heart, 
 "Might I inquire, what he is there pursuing?" 
 My Guide responded: "He is taking part 
 In that great conference of lords and rulers, 
 Which is devising, how the Congo-states 
 In sunny Africa shall be apportioned 
 And governed. That these mighty potentates 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES, 83 
 
 May only do what for Immanuel's Kingdom 
 Among the nations of the earth will prove 
 A blessing, — this the mission of Prince Michael. 
 Poor Africa shall know her Savior's love !" 
 
 So eagerly I listened, and with wonder, 
 To what the Cherub said, that ere I thought 
 He gently downward led his course ; our journey 
 To this far-distant angel-sphere was wrought. 
 
 We lighted on a mountain near the city, 
 Along whose foot a crystal river flowed, 
 Which led its currents toward a sheet of water, 
 In which, it seemed, a thousand sun-balls glowed. 
 I looked away, On paradises many 
 That girted the fair city like a wreath. 
 The life - tree orchards, interspersed, were 
 
 blooming 
 In purest white, whilst brooklets purled beneath. 
 Man's eye has never seen such heavenly country 
 
 As I beheld from this clear mountain-height. 
 Eternal spring breathed up the hillside, filling 
 
 My very soul with jubilant delight. 
 
 Allspace seemed vocal with the sweetest music; 
 
 All heaven a chorus to the praise of God. 
 
 All colors shadowed forth his light and glory, 
 
 In suns and seas, in mountain, weald, and clod. 
 
84 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 S(2ENE FlFTEE£lT¥ 
 
 ti NOTICED soon a group of angels coming 
 #ji Along the river bank, who, with the 
 
 sweet 
 Ambrosial perfumes, their Allelujahs 
 Sent up the mountain-slope, my Guide to 
 greet. 
 "We'll go to meet them," said the Cherub, 
 
 starting 
 Adown the mount. I kept close to his side. 
 Our pathway led through parks and fragrant 
 
 gardens, 
 As none but heaven's pure nature can provide. 
 
 The angels made obeisance to the Cherub 
 As we approached the river's pearly strand. 
 Then one of them with friendly mien drew closer 
 And cordially extended me his hand. 
 He seemed to know full well — what so sur- 
 prised me — 
 How man greets man, when they in friendship 
 meet. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 85 
 
 "We bid you welcome to the home of angels, 
 Child of the earth !" — I heard his voice most 
 sweet. 
 
 Short time the angel-conversation lasted ; 
 But strange to human ear was every word. 
 Though, as they often chose — -which soon I 
 
 noticed — 
 To glance at me, I readily inferred 
 That I myself the subject was whereof they 
 Conversed, and why to this angelic land 
 The Cherub me had borne. I felt embarrassed ; 
 Till he who first had tendered me his hand 
 In token of good-will and loving kindness, 
 Again drew nigh with mien so sweet and true, 
 That quickly all suspense of soul evanished, 
 And in my heart there nothing was to rue. 
 
 The angel-band remained a moment only ; 
 Then they moved on, the pearly bank along. 
 To where the stream poured into the clear waters 
 Of the bright lake. Again I heard their song 
 As they arose and crossed its crystal mirror, 
 And on the further shore passed out of view. 
 The Cherub still remained, as though awaiting 
 My questionings, whereof — as well he knew — ■ 
 My heart was full. I asked him: u Do these 
 
 angels 
 Know aught of man, and of the little world, 
 
86 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Where he abides?" With earnest mien the 
 
 Cherub 
 To my astonished heart these truths unfurled : 
 
 11 Remember, when Immanuel, the Sovereign 
 Of heaven, whom all the angel-hosts adore, 
 Lays down his majesty, his royal scepter, 
 To do what angel-eye ne'er saw before ; 
 Descends to the abode of sin and sinners, 
 There takes upon himself the form of man, 
 Walks in the pathway of the meek, — is beaten, 
 Rejected, scorned, to Israel a ban ; 
 Yea, when he then — He, of all life the Giver — 
 Dies on the cross and sinks into the grave, 
 Goes down to death's dark dungeon, — that the 
 
 fallen 
 He through the power of Love divine might save : 
 Then all the sons of heaven, all high dominions, 
 All thrones and powers, with interest supreme 
 Look down upon the earth ; and what the}' see 
 
 there 
 Is of their thoughts profound the deepest theme! 
 Unspeakable through all the realms of glory 
 The joy was when the Conqueror again — 
 With victory crowned — to his high throne as- 
 cended, 
 There in the majesty of God to reign ! 
 With ever-deepening interest, the angels 
 Behold what King Immanuel on earth 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 8j 
 
 Accomplished, and what there he still is doing, 
 
 To raise poor, fallen man to bliss and worth. 
 
 They see in his great victory over Satan, 
 
 What yet is hidden from the eye of man ; 
 
 For they beheld proud Lucifer, when first he — 
 
 Defying God and heaven — this war began, 
 
 Which by Immanuel will soon be ended. 
 
 All majesties, all angels are concerned 
 
 In Man, the brightest trophy of this conflict, 
 
 By Love divine, 'mid pain and sorrow earned !" 
 
 I well-nigh had forgotten my surroundings, 
 So were my thoughts engrossed by every word 
 The Cherub uttered as he spoke of th' interest 
 The angels take in man. But when I heard 
 Him speak of sin and death upon the earth-star, 
 A shadow slyly overcast my heart. 
 It seemed as though the heavenly joy which 
 
 sweetly 
 Had tuned my soul to praise, would now depart. 
 But this could seem so for a moment only, 
 Surrounded as I was by bliss and light. 
 The shadows fled, e'en faster than they 'd risen ; 
 My heart was jubilant, my vision bright. 
 
88 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 S(£E^E §I£TEEOT£I. 
 
 Ujjf HEN, up the stream, I saw a group of 
 angels 
 Who seemed to have some joyous task on 
 hand; 
 So I inferred from every gest and movement, 
 Though what it was, I could not understand. 
 The Cherub, knowing what was in my bosom, 
 Anticipated my request, and said : 
 "We'll go that you may see what they are 
 
 doing." 
 The path, he chose, along the river led. 
 What glorious stream ! Its waters, clear as 
 
 sunlight, 
 Flowed in a bed, o'erstrewn with sparkling gems, 
 Whilst the unnumbered radiant orbs of heaven 
 Flashed in its mirror-swells like diadems. 
 
 The angels greeted my good Guide, when 
 nearer 
 We came, — and me, as only angels do. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 89 
 
 And whilst they with the Cherub spake, again I 
 The name " Immanuel" heard, by which I knew 
 That they, because they saw an earth-born being, 
 Were speaking of Immanuel's mighty deed, 
 How he through sovereign Grace and Love the 
 
 guilty 
 From the enthralling power of sin has freed. 
 
 I soon divined, wherewith, e'er we ap- 
 proached them, 
 The angels had been occupied ; my mind 
 Discerning this when 'long the strand I noticed 
 A row of gems of the most precious kind. 
 Such vivid colors, such intrinsic beauty, 
 Man never witnessed in the choicest stone 
 The Orient ever furnished ; these reflected 
 The light, as though in each a Sirius shone. 
 
 While thus I viewed with joy and admiration 
 The gems upon the shore, I heard my Guide : 
 "Not these of heavenly jewels are the brightest; 
 See those o'er yonder, still more glorified." 
 With this he pointed farther up the river, 
 Where I beheld a pyramid of glare, 
 So bright, so manifold in tinge and luster, 
 That nothing earthly could therewith compare. 
 u These gems, less pure"— I further was in- 
 structed — 
 u The angels, by their innate power and skill, 
 
9 o 
 
 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Will raise to highest brilliancy and beauty, 
 And give them tone, according to their will." 
 
 I closely watched the angels, whilst they 
 finished 
 With marvelous d xterity and ease 
 The many-colored gems ; and every moment 
 I saw their hue and brilliancy increase , 
 
 §<2;ei^e Skvkoteesito. 
 
 |OST wonderful is man's device and 
 
 knowledge — 
 His power of mind — the skill of his 
 deft hand. 
 What he on earth already has accomplished, 
 What yet awaits him, who can understand? 
 He with the subtle force of fire, in matter 
 The chain asunder breaks which atom binds 
 To atom ; turns the solid into liquid, 
 To vapor even, till eye no substance finds. 
 Then, what ere while beyond the power of vision 
 Was raised, again produces, — leads it through 
 The vaporous state, and liquid, back to solid ; 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 9 1 
 
 And changes thus its nature, form and hue. 
 But greater is the potency of angels 
 O'er heaven's pure nature ; they evolve and mold, 
 Not matter gross, but her most hidden forces, 
 To forms of beauty bright and manifold. 
 
 I watched the angels closely whilst the forces 
 Of heavenly substances they new combined. 
 But, as a child may see, and comprehend not, 
 So what I saw o'erreached my grasp of mind. 
 Though this seemed clear: from out the radiant 
 
 sunbeams 
 They crystallized the hues, so wondrous fair, 
 Wherewith they glorified the heavenly diamonds, 
 Till like the orbs o'erhead they seemed to glare. 
 
 As thus upon these gems I gazed, and mar- 
 veled, 
 The Cherub said : " Quite strange it seems to you 
 That angels can transform the lucent sunbeams 
 To diamonds of the most transcendent hue. 
 But let me tell you that, had man not fallen 
 From the estate wherein he first was placed, 
 Whereby his powers of mind were much en- 
 feebled, 
 The predilections of his soul debased, 
 He, too, might glorify the lower nature 
 Of earth, — as of the angels you behold. 
 If — though his mind a wreck, his soul a discord — 
 
92 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 He ne'ertheless has power to remold 
 The grosser forms of matter ; how much greater 
 Might his achievements be, if from the clod, 
 Untarnished by the stain of sin and error, 
 He would have risen to the light of God." 
 
 Again there swept, though for a moment only, 
 A shadow through my soul. " Even here," I said, 
 " Surrounded as I am by bliss and glory, 
 It pains me when I hear of sin ; I dread 
 The thought. Does it disturb the joy of angels 
 When they behold what sin and death have 
 
 wrought 
 Upon the earth ; how to a fair creation, 
 And God's design, it desolation brought?" 
 
 "It ne'er can weaken" — was the Cherub's 
 answer — 
 "The joy of holy beings, when they view 
 The ruin sin has wrought upon the earth-star, 
 'Neath God's dominion, who beforehand knew 
 That all things would contribute to the glory 
 Of sovereign wisdom. Therefore, when they see 
 The power of sin and darkness, they assured are : 
 More glorious will the last great victory be 
 Of King Immanuel, when every creature, 
 In heaven and earth, and in the nether world, 
 Will bow the knee unto the Lord of Glory, 
 And all apostates into th' pit be hurled." 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 93 
 
 With fervency the mighty Cherub uttered 
 These words ; I never saw his face so bright, 
 His visage wore an aspect most triumphant 
 And with unwonted keenness flashed the light 
 Of his undaunted eye. My heart was thrilled, 
 My soul enkindled by his ardent flame ; 
 The shades had fled for aye, and my whole being 
 Exulted in Immanuel's glorious Name! 
 
 3(£E$[E Kj(££ITEE^TO- 
 
 lINCE from the cliffs of Patmos the lone 
 Seer, 
 A-standing on the pinnacle of time, 
 Looked down through the dim vistas of 
 the future, 
 
 J\. And there beheld in all her heavenly prime 
 Jerusalem the New, the habitation 
 Of God's own chosen people, eye ne'er gazed 
 Upon a scene so bright and soul-exalting 
 As now before my wondering vision blazed. 
 
 Prince Michael's capital was built of diamonds, 
 But such as only in the heavens are known. 
 
94 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 In purest white these, — others in most varied 
 And rich-harmonious blending colors shone. 
 The temples, palaces, and angel-mansions, 
 With which the gorgeous avenues were lined, 
 Were so diverse in form and decoration, 
 As ne'er could be conceived by human mind. 
 More luminous than burnished gold at noon- 
 time, 
 A-nashing 'neath the day-star's lucent beam, 
 Shone the great jewel-domes, the gem-wrought 
 
 columns, 
 The thousand pinnacles in varied gleam. 
 
 "Most beautiful I always deemed high 
 heaven, 
 The home of holy angels," I exclaimed ; 
 "But this surpasses far man's keenest vision, 
 Or what in his dull language might be named." 
 "The grandeur you behold," the Cherub an- 
 swered, 
 "Is angel-wrought; but creatures can not rise 
 To beauty absolute, in their conceptions ; 
 This, Deity alone can realize." 
 
 Wide avenues from every point of com- 
 pass 
 Led toward the center, while on either side 
 There flowed a stream of purest lymph, o'er- 
 shadowed 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 95 
 
 By life-tree groves in fullest bloom. My Guide 
 Conducted me along a gem-built pathway. 
 So lucid were the stones on which I trod, 
 That I, in looking down, beheld my image, 
 And underneath, the gleam of a pearly clod. 
 The angel-groups along the way saluted 
 Us, as we passed, with friendly gest and 
 
 mien; 
 And lovingly their eyes shone down upon me, 
 So beautiful in their angelic sheen. 
 
 "What glorious edifice? what mighty cas- 
 tle?" 
 Thus I exclaimed with rapturous delight, 
 As grand and wondrous fair there rose before me 
 A palace, which in its resplendent light 
 And towering altitude surpassed all others 
 Within the angel-city. I was told : 
 u This is Prince Michael's heaven - aspiring 
 
 palace, 
 Where you Immanuel's glory shall behold." 
 I listened to these words with rapt attention, 
 My eyes fixed steadily upon the light 
 Of the great palace-dome, which on a terrace 
 Erected stood, the city's choicest site. 
 It was begirded by a wreath of gardens, 
 In which the most delightful flowers bloomed 
 Among life-giving trees, and crystal fountains, 
 Whose silvery spray above the branches loomed. 
 
96 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Our path led through these ever-blooming gar- 
 dens, 
 Where many angels I beheld, whose cheer 
 Welled forth in strains of gladdening Allelujahs, 
 That filled with joy the heavenly atmosphere. 
 
 S(£E]^E £[j£[ETEKOT¥- 
 
 fO while beneath the ever-teeming life- 
 trees, 
 That flourish only in the land of light ! 
 No mortal tongue can tell the glowing rapture 
 It bids the soul enjoy, and pure delight. 
 
 "You, too, may taste this fruit," I heard the 
 Cherub, 
 When I looked up, and saw how fair it gleamed 
 Through the rich foliage and tender blossoms, 
 As once in Eden it for man had teemed. 
 And scarcely had these words the Cherub ut- 
 tered, 
 When I perceived an angel drawing nigh — 
 It was the self-same one who 'd brought the 
 garment — 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 97 
 
 Who with a gentle voice and loving eye 
 
 Spoke thus, as from the tree he plucked and 
 
 gave me : 
 "Partake what once for man in Eden grew, 
 Ere he gave ear unto the wily Tempter, 
 And of transgression the disaster knew." 
 
 Since from the earth the tree of life was 
 
 taken, 
 Naught can be found in the terrestrial land, 
 That with the fruit could be compared the 
 
 which I 
 With joy received out of the angel's hand. 
 Although my soul was happy ere I tasted 
 This heavenly fruit, the joy within my breast 
 Became unbounded now ; so that no longer 
 The high ecstatic tides could be repressed. 
 I, who on earth had raised my voice so seldom 
 In song — though through my bosom often rang 
 Melodious strains — I could inthrall no longer 
 The joyous impulse of my heart. I sang — 
 Sang of Immanuel and his redemption ; 
 How T he through all-prevailing Love and Grace 
 Had burst the galling chains of sin and Satan, 
 And from their doom released a fallen race. 
 
 But wonderful ! when the nigh-standing an- 
 gels — 
 And small was not their number — heard the song 
 
 9 
 
98 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Of one, redeemed from death and dark op- 
 pression, 
 They gathered from all sides, a listening throng. 
 And when I'd ceased, he, who the fruit had 
 
 given, 
 Came near, and said: "We gladly hush our 
 
 voice, 
 When the redeemed extol so great salvation, 
 And in Immanuel's glorious name rejoice. 
 Our songs rise up to God through all the 
 
 heavens ; 
 But when the Lord's redeemed, mysterious-sweet, 
 Exult in dying Love, with deep deference 
 All angels high, such glorious anthems greet." 
 These words were followed by profoundest si- 
 lence ; 
 And then anew I heard the angels' song, 
 Thewhilst the Cherub led through fragrant 
 
 gardens, 
 Toward the great dome, the purling stream along. 
 
 Again I raised my eyes, then being distant 
 Not more than a thousand paces from the wall 
 Of the bright palace-dome. I gazed and mar- 
 veled ! 
 Of all, that man on the terrestrial ball 
 Erected has: the pyramids of Egypt, 
 The palaces of Babylon and Rome, 
 The marble temples of far Ind, the towering 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 99 
 
 Cathedrals of his new-found, western home ; 
 If all, what these include of cast and grandeur, 
 Could be embodied in one edifice, 
 'T would still in nowise be a rival structure ; 
 Yea, almost infinitely grander this ! 
 
 SeE^lE r J7wK^T{ET¥. 
 
 |ITH joyful expectation I ascended 
 The diamond steep which to the por- 
 tal led. 
 We entered ; and a hall in gorgeous beauty, 
 Pilaster-lined, before my vision spread. 
 ' T is vain for finite mind to try to image, 
 Or human tongue to tell what here I saw 
 In halls and corridors, in gem-wrought parlors, 
 In keeping all with beauty's highest law. 
 
 Throughout the rich apartments angels min- 
 gled, 
 Of which — I was informed — the most had come 
 From other worlds of Michael's realm ; and even 
 From principalities afar ; and some 
 Had visited the earth, the home of mortals. 
 
IOO CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 I also learned that kin there is and race 
 Among the angel-host. As one, by noting 
 In man the form and color of his face, 
 Can well discern his family, tribe, and nation ; 
 So 'mongst the angels which the palace thronged, 
 One readily conld tell to what dominion 
 And principality each one belonged. 
 
 When halls and corridors we 'd passed full 
 
 many 
 We reached a portal, built of purest pearl, 
 Which led into a vast rotunda, where I 
 Beheld a fount whose lymph in constant 
 
 whirl 
 Twelve sparkling streams shot upward into 
 
 vistas 
 That touched the distant empyrean. "This," 
 The Cherub said, "is Life's e'erflowing fountain ; 
 For holy beings, source of purest bliss." 
 Twelve other streams poured from the golden 
 
 basin 
 Into the gardens, and the life-trees fed ; 
 Thence 'long the avenues, as I had witnessed, 
 When my good Guide me through the city led. 
 
 From all directions I saw angels enter 
 The great rotunda, and approach the fount. 
 Some drank, then went away ; but many others 
 I saw as with the currents upward mount. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. IOI 
 
 " For angels, and for man who in the image 
 Of God created is, this fountain flows," 
 Thns said my Guide ; then dipping full a chalice, 
 Drank of the lymph, and toward the heights 
 
 arose. 
 I followed his example, took the chalice 
 And drank of heaven's pure stream. A new- 
 born life 
 Flowed through my deepest soul, that in an 
 
 instant 
 My powers of mind with energy were rife 
 As I had never felt before. And keener 
 With every moment waxed my strength of eye, 
 So that — what I had ne'er anticipated — 
 All things appeared as if a-drawing nigh. 
 What I experienced no human language 
 Can ever tell, nor man's best science know. 
 I felt, a being new create, my spirit 
 With aspirations and high bliss aglow. 
 
 Then quickly with the rising flood I fol- 
 lowed 
 My Guide, who in a golden portal stood. 
 "We are ascending," he informed, " that you may 
 Experience high heaven's unbounded good. 
 On the first stag you saw the living fountain, 
 Which puissance imparts to mind and eye ; 
 The second you 've attained, the angel cities' 
 To view, which at your fee-t now lie. 
 
102 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Five stages more of spirit-heights await you ; 
 In each shall be increased your vision's zone. 
 When in ascending we have reached the seventh, 
 You '11 stand in view of King Immanuel's 
 Throne." 
 
 Scej^e TweotY-FWST- 
 
 BEFORE me lay the glorious angel-city, 
 A wondrous sight ! as I had never seen. 
 Not simply street by street I comprehended, 
 But all the mansions fair in one vast sheen. 
 Then to the third elevation we ascended, 
 And ever clearer grew the realms of light. 
 A wonder new filled me with exultation ; 
 The angel-world it was, in garb most bright. 
 Its mountains, valleys, seas, and charming rivers, 
 Its bright, palatial cities, far and nigh. 
 I saw them all — a gorgeous panorama — 
 In marvelous distinction passing by. 
 
 I still was contemplating the fair landscapes 
 And cities, when again my Leader chose 
 To take me by the hand ; and with him quickly 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 1 03 
 
 To the fourth elevation I arose. 
 
 The light increased — with it, my power of vision ; 
 
 And suns and systems loomed up myriadfold. 
 
 "The principality " — I was instructed — 
 
 "Of the Archangel Michael you behold!" 
 
 Upward again the heavenly Cherub bore me, 
 And into the immensities I gazed. 
 A radiant galaxy of constellations, 
 Vast stores of light before my vision blazed, 
 And like the rolling waves upon the ocean, 
 Thus ever new world-billows came in view, 
 So far, and yet so near. In gorgeous sections 
 They bounded on, and on, whereby I knew 
 That I beheld the seven great world-creations 
 Whereof I 'd been informed. No finite mind 
 Can grasp the magnitude, the august grandeur 
 Of all these principalities combined. 
 The universe it was in all its vastness, 
 Which I in space's wide dominion saw. 
 Long time I gazed into the wondrous light- 
 realms, 
 And evermore it filled my heart with awe. 
 Then I remembered what my Guide had promised 
 That I from heaven above the earth should see; 
 Though not in sun-born light. The Cherub 
 
 knowing 
 My thoughts, said: "When we've gained the 
 sixth degree 
 
104 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 You shall behold the earth, the home of 
 
 mortals." 
 With this remark, he bore me upward through 
 Unmeasured heights — though that they were not 
 
 space-heights, 
 As in a sun-realm, I most clearly knew. 
 
 Again the worlds and systems blazed be- 
 fore me, 
 So clear within my vision's widening range. 
 And ever new ones crowded up, then onward 
 The constellations swept in mystic change. 
 Soon I saw Sirius and flaming Rigel ; 
 Then in the far beyond there rose a sun 
 In radiant brightness. Ah! it was the day-star 
 Of earth, which quickly my attention won. 
 Then Jupiter loomed up ; the ring- world Saturn ; 
 And then the earth, man's home, swept into 
 
 view. 
 I saw it with its continents and oceans, 
 Its mountains, valleys, rivers — though I knew 
 Not how it was ; and turned to ask my Leader, 
 Almost o'ercome by great astonishment. 
 "No here! no there!" the Cherub said, "you 
 
 see it ; 
 And seeing what you longed for, be content." 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 105 
 
 Sce^e T J7wE^TY-SEc:o^p. 
 
 |HO can describe the joy, the sweet emo- 
 tion 
 That filled my heart, as I beheld the earth, 
 Man's habitation, home of those that 
 loved me, 
 A And cherished dear my life, e'en from my 
 
 birth ? 
 And suddenly I felt an ardent yearning 
 To see the dear ones I had left behind. 
 And swiftly over mountain, plain, and valley 
 My vision swept, those whom I loved to find. 
 And there they were ! I seemed to be so near 
 
 them, 
 Or they to me ; and yet they did not know 
 That I was viewing them from heights empyreal, 
 In other than the sun-orbs radiant glow. 
 But only for a moment I beheld them, 
 Then, while I thought, they vanished from my 
 
 sight. 
 A group of beings next claimed my attention, 
 Who looked so shy, and seemed to shun the light. 
 
106 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 "Who are those darksome beings?" I in- 
 quired ; 
 "They seem nor men nor angels, and their eye 
 Betokens naught of good." The Cherub an- 
 swered : 
 "They are of those who, from their station high, 
 With Satan fell ; now in the dreary desert 
 They wander to and fro, a-seeking rest. 
 Their only joy — and that to all true pleasure 
 Is death — is to aggrieve those God has blessed." 
 
 Then toward the fiendish group I saw 
 
 a-coming 
 Two angels, clad in most transcendent white. 
 The demons, when they saw the heavenly 
 
 guardians, 
 Quick turned aside, as though in greatest fright. 
 My eye with pleasure followed the two angels, 
 Who toward a lowly cot pursued their way. 
 There on a humble bed in darkened chamber, 
 'Midst weeping friends, a dying Christian lay. 
 A Christian verily ! for life eternal 
 Glowed in his soul. The angels neared the couch 
 Unknown to all, except the saint departing, 
 Who, one bright moment, noticed their approach. 
 A radiant smile burst from his heart, enkindling 
 His eye — then I beheld his soul arise, 
 His inner self. The angels quick enfolded 
 And bore him toward the gates of Paradise. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 107 
 
 I noticed many souls along this highway, 
 Borne all by angels toward fair realms of light ; 
 But others, too, whose course was ever down- 
 ward, 
 As though in dread despair and constant flight. 
 I followed them a little distance only ; 
 Then from the land of night I turned my eye 
 Toward Paradise, where I beheld a golden 
 Inscription o'er a pearly gateway high : 
 "Forever safe, who enters here !" A constant 
 Stream of pure souls passed through this portal 
 
 wide. 
 I gladly would have followed them, the better 
 To note how they apportioned were inside. 
 " The place where souls await the consum- 
 mation, 
 When the Almighty will create anew 
 Man's home, now desolate with dire trans- 
 gressions, 
 This you at the appointed time shall view. 
 Now to the highest pinnacle of glory 
 A creature can attain, we will ascend ; 
 Where you shall stand before the King of 
 
 Heaven, 
 The wonders of his might to apprehend." 
 
io8 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Scei^e TwE^TY-TW^A 
 
 9jf HEN up again, through realms of sheeny 
 
 luster 
 The Cherub rose ; and lower — so it seerried — 
 The seven vast world-creations sank, and 
 
 'neath me 
 Like a revolving, light-filled circle gleamed. 
 
 " I note the heavens, the vastness of creation ; 
 But nowhere in the all-embracing zone 
 Do I behold what you, forsooth, have promised: 
 Immanuel, the King, upon his throne." 
 Thus I to my good Guide, who gave me answer : 
 " By clouds encompassed is the radiance bright 
 Of King Immanuel's throne ; the world-creations 
 Could ne'er endure the power of God-born light." 
 
 I raised my eyes toward the direction given, 
 And there beheld a globe of blazing sheen. 
 'T was not a world ; for as I gazed and marveled, 
 To infinite dimensions grew the scene. 
 And as fair Luna fades when in his glory 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. IOO. 
 
 The garish King of day ascends the throne, 
 Thus vanished all the beaming world-creations 
 Before the light that from above me shone. 
 I also noted that the suns and systems 
 Which in the circling world-creations glowed, 
 Shone not in their own light, but with the luster 
 That from this shrine of pristine glory flowed. 
 
 Was I raised toward the light?- — was it de- 
 scending ? — 
 I could not tell; one thing alone was clear: 
 What my good Guide had promised: highest 
 
 heaven, 
 Abode of purest bliss, was drawing near. 
 
 What language can describe the deep emotion 
 That filled my throbbing heart with raptur- 
 ous glee, 
 As thus the Light of heaven shone down upon me, 
 Wherein I Lord Immanuel should see ! 
 And ever brighter grew high heaven's efful- 
 gence, 
 Till I beheld a portal opened wide — 
 So it appeared — which stood in radiant splendor. 
 The majesty that shone from the inside, 
 Was so o'erpowering that my courage failed me, 
 And faint in heart I sank upon my face. 
 Just then a seraph touched my hand, imparting 
 New strength, enabling me to joy in grace 
 
HO CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 Which to poor fallen man accords the honor, 
 God's presence to approach. With my good 
 
 Guide 
 I entered highest heaven and bliss, ascending 
 Past shining multitudes on either side. 
 
 O heaven ! who can depict thy wondrous 
 
 glory, 
 The majesty that crowns thy every height, 
 The God-born sheen before which every luster 
 Of earth and day sinks into deepest night ! 
 Who can describe thy joys, the constant pleasure, 
 The ecstasy that here fills heart and soul ! 
 And thee, Immanuel, thou glorious Sovereign, 
 Source, Life and Light and End of the vast 
 
 whole ! 
 Who can enumerate you, high-born spirits 
 Before the throne of God in bright array, 
 Ascribing majesty and praise and power 
 To the Eternal One, for aye and aye ! 
 Though I could paint with hues of morning 
 
 sunlight, 
 And were to me the skill of angels given, 
 I ne'er could image what my eyes encountered, 
 As with my Guide I entered highest heaven. 
 If ne'ertheless, I speak of gold and diamonds, 
 Of rainbow-tints and earthly harmonies, 
 It is because these are of forms the fairest 
 With which the heart of man acquainted is. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. in 
 
 Scei^e Twei^tY-FOU^to. 
 
 jNFINITE seemed the luster-filled ex- 
 Jsf. tension, 
 Embracing in its sheen the farthest zone 
 
 fOf circling worlds. Above, in seven-fold 
 grandeur, 
 * A high-arched, sun-built rainbow shone ; 
 And underneath — it was of heaven the center — 
 Upon a gem-wrought throne of dazzling white, 
 I saw Immanuel, the glorious Sovereign, 
 The everlasting Fount of Life and Light. 
 I saw him as of old the holy Seer : 
 His countenance shone as the sun on high, 
 In all-surpassing loveliness and beauty ; 
 More wondrous, was the luster of his eye. 
 The crown upon his brow was gold and dia- 
 monds — 
 But gold and diamonds as are only known 
 In .highest heaven ; his robe, bedecked with 
 
 jewels, 
 Flowed from the shoulders to his feet, and shone 
 In radiant white ; upon his golden girdle 
 
112 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 I read in living letters these great words — 
 Which filled my heart with awe and admiration : 
 "The King of kings, and Lord of all the lords !" 
 
 The broad foundations which his throne sup- 
 ported, 
 Were covered by a zone of densest cloud ; 
 From this the lightnings flashed thro' all creation, 
 And thunder followed thunder, fierce and loud. 
 It was omnipotence, eternal power, 
 Which thus went forth, creation to uphold. 
 With every peal I saw the high-born spirits 
 Bend low ; and then an Allelujah rolled 
 Through heaven's high courts, that the remotest 
 
 systems 
 Of th' world-creations felt the joyous thrill ; 
 And every being through the endless heavens 
 With reverence bowed to do Immanuers will. 
 
 There I beheld the life-sustaining fountain, 
 A crystal sea, spread out before the throne ; 
 From which there flowed clear streams of living 
 
 waters 
 To joy and gladden the remotest zone. 
 
 Around the throne on golden seats, I noticed 
 The four and twenty Elders, clad in white, 
 Which once the Prophet saw, when to his vision 
 Were opened wide these realms of bliss and light. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. II \ 
 
 They had attained first-resurrection glory, 
 So by the heavenly Cherub I was taught. 
 He also told me who they were, and how they 
 On earth for God and righteousness had wrought. 
 They were of those who faithfully contended 
 For truth and godliness, who often frowned 
 Upon men's praise, and rather chose affliction ; 
 Now with reward eternal they were crowned. 
 
 There I beheld the Father of the faithful, 
 And Enoch, Moses, Job, and others more, 
 Who walked by faith in hope of the great 
 
 promise, 
 But passed into the vale of death, before 
 Their joy was realized. The other Twelve were 
 The chosen of the Lord ; who heard his call 
 To follow him, and then to preach the Gospel ; 
 Save Judas — in whose stead I noticed Paul. 
 
 10 
 
114 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 SeE^K r f WE^TY-FIFTO. 
 
 f O view Immanuel, heaven's glorious Sov- 
 ereign, 
 The King of kings upon his dazzling 
 
 throne ; — 
 The Savior who on earth once bore the image 
 Of fallen man, the sin-curse to atone, 
 And then victoriously to heaven ascended ; 
 To view him in the form of God and man, 
 Surrounded by the hosts of high-born spirits, 
 And clothed with majesty supreme; who can 
 Describe the ecstacy, the heavenly transport 
 That fills the happy soul, so dearly bought, — 
 The glowing love which by his beaming presence 
 To ever new-enkindled flame is wrought? 
 How long I stood and gazed, my soul enraptured, 
 I knew it not ; days, years, aye, centuries might 
 Elapse — as time upon the earth is measured — • 
 Without perceiving it : so grand the sight ! 
 
 His eyes were toward the home of man 
 directed, 
 The eyes of King Immanuel from his throne. 
 
CELESTIAL SCENES. 115 
 
 Again the lightnings flashed in all directions, 
 And brightly through the world-creations shone ; 
 Again I heard the thunder's voice, the power 
 Of God, which to the universe gave birth ; 
 Again the Allelujahs of high heaven 
 Arose in praise of Mercy's work on earth. 
 I stood and gazed, my marveling heart enrap- 
 tured, 
 Then mingled with the great seraphic throng ; 
 And with their sweet, ecstatic Allelujahs 
 I jubilantly joined my triumph-song. 
 And as I sang, He turned his eye upon me. 
 O ecstasy of bliss ! O joy supreme ! 
 No human language can describe the rapture 
 That filled my soul ; an overbounteous stream 
 Of blessedness flowed through my inmost being, 
 As I had never realized before, 
 Not e'en when of the life-tree fruit I tasted 
 In lower realm. I could withstand no more, 
 And started to kneel down before my Sovereign. 
 Just then a seraph rose and spread his wing 
 Across my field of vision, gently hiding 
 The bright irradiance of the Heavenly King. 
 
 Then I perceived him slowly coming to- 
 ward me 
 
 With widespread wings. What did the wonder 
 mean ? 
 
 Howbeit, soon I noticed why he did it; 
 
n6 
 
 CELESTIAL SCENES. 
 
 A cloud-film which had served my eyes a screen, 
 Was by the seraph's gold-fringed pinions broken, 
 And for a moment I beheld thej^ight 
 Of the Eternal Qod in such effulgence 
 That it o'erpowered at once my heart and sight. 
 I closed my eyes, too^weak for such high glory, 
 And sank exhaust upon the Cherub's hand ; 
 Then all was void. How long this syncope 
 
 lasted 
 I do not know. When I again command 
 Had of my powers of mind, I felt the current 
 As of a stream ; though it was not the force 
 Of wind or water which I felt. " Where are we ? 
 And what is this that thus obstructs our course ?" 
 I asked, amazed. The Cherub gave me answer : 
 "We are ascending the great stream of Time, 
 That you may view the works of the Eternal, 
 The world creations in their glorious prime." 
 
 End of Part First. 
 
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