But John mistook this heavenly saint for an angel, so glorious was his
appearance, and he fell down to worship him, but was told, "See thou do
it not; for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets,
and of them which keep the sayings of this book." Then what will she
herself be, when these eyes behold her again? And what will she have
treasured up to tell me? she, who always brought rare things for me from
the woods and the shore, surpassing those of her companions. If He who
redeemed her, and has presented her faultless before the presence of his
glory with exceeding joy, will bestow that nurture and culture upon her
which are implied in leading her to living fountains of waters, what
will she be? and how good it will seem that she left earth so early,
since it was the will of God, to enter upon such a career of bliss!

A few years ago, I appropriated a wedding gift from a friend to the
purchase of a guitar for her, as a birthday gift in her early sickness.
To assist her in learning to play upon it, I first gained some knowledge
of the instrument. We kept it in its case in my study; and sometimes, on
coming home, and feeling in the mood of it, I wished to handle it, and
instead of unlocking the case to see if the instrument were there, I
would knock upon it; and straightway what turbulence of harmonies rang
from all the strings. Now, it is so with every thing connected with her
memory; every thing associated with her, even though outwardly sombre
and dreary, like those black cases for musical instruments, being
appealed to, or accidentally encountered, sings of her still, with a
troubled and a pathetic, pleasing music.

In her very early childhood, she and two of the children were sick with
a children's epidemic. The crisis had passed; an anxious day with regard
to one of the children had been followed by entire relief from our
fears. As we sat at table that evening, we heard music from the chambers