HOPE.


Darkness had been upon the earth for a long time. It was a period of war
and bloodshed, crime and disaster.

The old earth seemed draped in habiliments of mourning; and there
was cause for aching hearts, for out of many homes had gone unto battle
sons, fathers, and husbands, who would return no more. They fell in
service; and kind mothers and wives could not take one farewell look at
their still, white faces, but must go about their homes as though life
had lost none of its helps.

* * * * *

"The poor, sad earth!" said one of a glad band, belonging to a starry
sphere above. "I long to comfort its people; but my mission is given
me to guide souls through the death valley, and bear them to their
friends in the summer-land. I must not leave my post of duty. Who will
go?"

"I will," said Love, in sweet, silvery tones.

"You are too frail to descend into such darkness as at present envelops
the earth; beside, they need another, a different element just now, to
prepare the way for better things."

"Who shall it be?" they all said, and looked from one to the other.