I saw them arrive at the opening. But in what words can I describe their delight at the sudden change it presented to the sight! No wonder it had looked brilliant, even from the distance at which they had first beheld it, for on emerging from the dismal caves the glorious sunshine almost blinded their eyes. Just before them stood a magnificent golden gate, and along the top of it were wreaths, whose leaves and flowers were formed of emeralds, amethysts, opals, and sapphires, wrought by no mortal hand. Beyond this gate, which, being of an exquisitely transparent pattern, could easily be seen through, appeared the most beautiful trees and plants, unlike any they had ever hitherto seen, and emitting odours which far surpassed the fragrance of earth's rarest flowers and shrubs. The ear as well as the eye was also charmed by sounds of the most enchanting music.

Surely this is the garden of Eden!" exclaimed Luke; "but its gates are shut!"

"They are the gates of Paradise," responded a voice, the sweetest they had ever heard, "and shall be opened to you, if you can shew your title to admittance."

They looked up, and an angel stood before them! In a tremor of joyful hope they produced the

THE GATES OF PARADISE.

201

certificates given them by the Evangelist on arriving at the Wicket-gate at the head of the way; and now this Celestial one was opened to them, with a sound like the melodious ringing of distant bells.

They had scarcely passed through when they beheld with ecstacy, at a short distance, the loved companions they had lost on earth! Yes, there were Grace and Myra, Marcus and Phoebe, beautified in appearance beyond imagination, and in raiment like the plumage of the swan. The eyes of the newly arrived pilgrims were so rivetted on all they saw that only by chance did they cast them on each other, and then they found to their surprise that they themselves were also clad in robes of purest white. They concluded that their old garments must have been left in the caverns of Death, which from the darkness of the place they were unconscious of. It was true: the mortals had put on immortality.

Now as they were hastening forward to embrace the friends so happily restored to them, an appearance arrested their steps, and filled their souls with unutterable joy.

The holy Prince of that celestial region advanced to welcome them. In all his heavenly grace and glory did they see him. A radiant crown encircled that sacred head which, in the time of his

humiliation, had been cruelly pierced by one of thorns; and in his hand he bore what resembled a brilliant rainbow, but in the form of a cross. Extending it towards them, with a smile of inconceivable benignity, he spake these words:"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world."

The tones and the words of that divine voice thrilled to my heart so powerfully that I awoke. My dream was ended; and I wished, with a sigh, that it had "known no ending."

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."-2 COR. iv. 17.

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