All arrayed in robes of glory.
Crowned with righteousness and love;
Old companions wait to greet me,
Smilingly they bid me come.
Father, send Thy heavenly chariot,
Call Thy weary pilgrim home.

"Earth is fading from my vision;
Brightness gathers o'er my head:
Thrilling strains from heavenly harpers
Sound around my dying bed.
Blessed land of saints and angels!
Here I can no longer stay;
Yonder comes my Father's chariot;
Rise, my soul, and haste away!"

The song was ended. The harp was laid aside.

"Did my father enjoy the song?" soothingly inquired Mathias. Joram made
no reply. The "chariot" had arrived, and Joram had departed! As the last
vibrations of the "harp of Judah" died on the ear, his soul was wafted on
angelic pinions, and introduced to the melody around the throne of God.



CHAPTER XX.

AFTER the insanity of Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach, his son, acted as
regent. The misfortune of the Chaldean monarch cast a deep gloom over the
vast empire. He fell at the zenith of his popularity, and the government