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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2010 with funding from 
 Duke University Libraries 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/1970visionofcomi00coll 
 

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 WAS musing alone one hot afternoon, 
 In tlie shade of a vine on a bright day in .Fiine ; 
 Not a sound in the air but the hum of the bees, 
 Nor a zephyr to sway the tops of the trees ; 
 The cricket seemed tired of the shrill noise he made. 
 The butterfly folded his wings in the shade. 
 The flowers, so fragrant when day had begun, 
 No longer breathed perfume before the fierce sun : 
 O'er nature a dull sleepy silence had grown, 
 And even the clouds seemed moveless as stone. 
 
 Reclined in a chair, with my face towards the sky. 
 The tall posts of the telegraph thought-road near by, 
 I fancied I heard every word sent along. 
 The short business message — the tale of some wrong. 
 An accident, not on the Jersey railway, 
 The prices of stocks —events of the day, 
 The lover's popped question, brief, pithy and sweet, 
 The assent of his charmer, his wishes to meet, 
 A summons to haste to the bed of a friend, 
 Whose life's flickering taper drew near to its end. 
 An invite to a wedding, a lecture or ball, 
 A county convention — a lyceuin hall ; 
 Like leaves by the wild winter wind swept along. 
 They came and they passed in a vast countless thnmg, 
 And I watched and I iistene<l with eager desire 
 To find out what passed through the quick thrilling wire. 
 The date T was sure of" — ai^ain and ao-iiii, 
 
It was "nineteen hundred and threescore and ten." 
 
 Came the first to a merchant of rank in Japan. 
 Saying "Forward those teas as soon as you can." 
 In two minutes returned, "I will do as you say, 
 But send me the Bibles you promised today." 
 "Buy for me," said a lady in Boston, in haste, 
 To a dear Cuban friend, "(I trust to your taste) ; 
 A barrel of oranges, fresh from the tree, 
 A dozen pine-apples, the fairest you see, 
 Two bunches of large, ripe bananas — a cask 
 Of the best of preserves — 'tis all that I ask. 
 And a few limes or lemons — smooth, juicy and bright, 
 In time to prepare for my parly to-night." 
 In halt an hour came, propelled through the air. 
 The fruits and the sweets packed with exquisite care. 
 And the fair one, delighted, sent word to each friend 
 Par or near, a long sociable evening to spend. 
 Methought that they came by balloon or by rail. 
 By the pneumatic tube, by steam or by sail, 
 At the rate of a thousand of miles in a day, 
 To the hub of New England hurrying away. 
 ^The next bit of news my very soul stirred, 
 '' 'Twas the greatest explosion that ever was heard : 
 An engine blew up, attached to a train 
 Of a hundred full cars on the Omaha plain — 
 To atoms it Hew, but no one was hurt, 
 Only some of the passengers covered with dirt. 
 The fireman was tbund half a mile from the spot, 
 Safely lodged in a village whose name I've forgot. 
 While the engineer's body was plunged in the sand 
 Hid entirely from sight save a part of one hand. 
 Both were strucl? with amaze at the quick change of l)ase, 
 But the sole damage done, was a scratch on each face. 
 The reason was clear — their lives were insured 
 And their limbs and their senses forever secured 
 By a policy made with the greatest reliance 
 In the "Fearless Assurance and Perpetual Defiance." 
 The next sound arresting my listening ear, 
 Was so soft and so musical, gentle and clear, 
 I knew it was sent by a company famed. 
 
(The Harmonic Acoustic Tube Union, named,) 
 
 To a tlozen perfoi-mers, each one at his home. 
 
 In London, Pekin, Paris, Athens and Rome, 
 
 To jj-ive in New York, at mass concerts free, 
 
 Oratorios by telegraph under the sea. 
 
 'I'hen was heard such a hum from the minorled replies, 
 
 I could hear nothing more, but, trusting my eyes. 
 
 Looked around as I strolled along each crowded street. 
 
 Some items to learn or acquaintance to meet. 
 
 The houses looked strange as if turned all to stone, 
 With huge gaudy creepers and ivy o"ergrown. 
 Whether brick, wood or plaster, no signs of decay 
 Could be seen, though an age had no doubt rolled away 
 Since each cornerstone was laid deep and fast 
 By the wise master builder, all time to outlast. 
 'Twas a certain tried method, not patent, for all 
 Enjoyed, free from tax, what inventions we call. 
 A liquid cement was poured on each place. 
 That hardened in time to a smooth flinty face. 
 No wear could affect it — hot, cold, wet or dry, 
 It was always the same to the touch and the eye. 
 "Here's a hint" I exclaimed, "to the men of our day. 
 Whose work is so apt to break or decay." 
 "We are all honest, friend !'" said some one quite near, 
 ^^lur remark shows how little you know of us here.'' 
 I iurned to reply, but no one was in sight, 
 When 1 saw with surprise and indeed with delight. 
 That a double-track railway, as smooth as a floor, . 
 Had been thoroughly laid, a few years before. 
 A train was approaching — no whistle was heard 
 In loud screeching tones to drown every word. 
 But, soft as the evening wind wafted along. 
 Rung out the soft notes of that sweet Sabbath song. 
 "'There's a hapi)y land, far away, far away !'" 
 "Till I thought they foretold a millenial day. 
 J wondered to see cars go noiselessly by, 
 When the rubber-tired wheels arrested my eye, 
 While each one inside looked calm and composed. 
 As they talked or they wrote, reflected or dozed, 
 And no thought of danger produced any dread. 
 
For a tall thin Director walked quickly ahead. 
 
 Ill less than a miiuile the cars disappeared, 
 
 And 1 judged, on that line no collision was feared., 
 
 lUini)iing on, as before, along the wide street, 
 A smooth wooden pavement tempting the feet. 
 Some boys stopped to jjreet me in passing to school, 
 "Twas the custom of all, not enforced by a rule. 
 "Can yon tell me, my children," 1 asked, with a smile, 
 Where to find the hotel, to tarry awhile ?" 
 "My dear sir," replied one with a bright, thoughlful face, 
 "[ never have seen in ray lite such a place. 
 The word sometimes is read on history's page. 
 Rut no buildings so called, exist in this age. 
 All houses are open to strangers who lind 
 A home and warm friends if to stay they're inclined." 
 "Then show me, 1 pray, Dr. Cure-em all's room." 
 "He died long ago — none can point out his tomb." 
 No sickness is known here — diseases nor pains— 
 But pure blood is bounding in even old veins."' 
 In doubt, 1 enquired, "Where is now Lawyer (irip ?" 
 "Oh ! he gave, as they say, all his clients the slip ; 
 Some affirm that he went over seas — others think 
 That he drowned his senses, and life too, in drink. 
 Here his sign you may see, though the letters are pale, 
 With the emblem beneath, a fox's long tail. 
 Happy years to you, sir ! to school we must haste 
 Xor longer the precious, short study-hours waste." 
 
 They ran on in glee and left me alone. 
 Still in quest of the tavern that once I had known. 
 At last it appeared, but such a great change 
 Had been made, that it looked surprisingly strange. 
 The low dirtv room, dark with stains and with smuke. 
 Where revelry oft midnight sleepers awoke. 
 The scene of mad riot and murderous strife. 
 With blasphemy vile and obscenity rife. 
 Was now the clean entrance that led to a hall, 
 Not built, as with us, for one sect, but for all. 
 Where the rich and the poor, a true Christian band. 
 In loving communion as brothers might stand. 
 To unite in thanksgiving, with hearts in accord, 
 
To the same risen Saviour — one Father and Lord. 
 Night and day tones of prayer and praise filled the air 
 'Till the Spirit's blest presence seeuaed hoverincr there; 
 No priest, man ordained, cried, "Know, brolher,the Lord !" 
 Our Hjorh Priest and Minister gave the sure word, 
 While o'erhead, wreathed with clouds, in letters of light, 
 Shone the words, "Be ye holy and clean in my sight, 
 For the pure In heart only my face shall behold. 
 And forever dwell safe in the heavenly fold." 
 
 How long In that temple divine was my stay, 
 I never have known, as no words can convey. 
 The sense of the bliss, and ecstacy felt 
 Li my spirit, unconscious of all as I knelt, 
 Save the heavenly gift of Infinite Love 
 Descending on all from the Father above. 
 With one fervent prayer for His grace to sustain 
 And guide me, my steps were turned earthward again. 
 
 Some ruins near by, I found to disclose 
 The spot where In old time a theatre rose, 
 In one day by spmitaneous combustion destroyed, 
 While the place where it stood was a huge gaping void. 
 Men were clearing the rubbish and cinders away. 
 Odd relics of former years bringing to day ; 
 Two masks that still seemed to be making grimaces. 
 Supposed to be dried skins of two actors' faces ; 
 'i'hen a long rusted steel, whose use none could divine, 
 In a scarlet robe wrapped, with one blazoned line 
 Inscribed thereupon — 'twas the name of a play, 
 And the legible words were, "The Devil's Birthday."' 
 A hemlet of copper, with vizor of brass 
 Was seen melted down, in a black, confused mass, 
 With beads, trinkets, buttons and jewelry rare, 
 To allure the gay worldling or deck the frail fair. 
 "How sad !"' said a voice, "they could ever bestow 
 Time and thought on such follies a century ago! 
 But soon shall we raise on this desolate site, 
 A house sacred to truth, to knowledge and right. 
 Whence millions of Bibles shall issue, to bless 
 Distant nations still hungering for righteousness." 
 
 Musing deeplv on all T had seen and had heard. 
 
01 the wondrous changes I said not a word, 
 But slowly went on, of adventures in quest. 
 In a spot with such peace and prosperity blesl. 
 Each face, young and old, with intelligence beamed ; 
 Every eye with love and with sympathy gleamed ; 
 Xo discord was known — no unrestrained tongue 
 Gave utterance to words of slander or wrong ; 
 Such a sense of true happiness filled all the air, 
 It seemed more than the spirit of mortal could Kear ; 
 And the heavenly anthem re-echoed again, 
 "To God all the glory and good will to men !'" 
 
 Pure fountains of water unceasingly flowed, 
 Till all nature with health and with hapjiiness glowed : 
 On every side, in lontj colonnade. 
 
 Pines, cedars and palms, threw their deep cooling shade 
 On seats, for the tired, heated travellers made : 
 While the thick hough*? above were filled with a throng 
 Of birds of gay plumage and exquisite song. 
 Unsuspicious of man, for his nature was changed 
 And his love for all beings, no longer estranged. 
 They lived and they loved the green alcoves among, 
 Or reared, year by year, unmolested, their young. 
 
 Wrong, crime and deceit existed no more ; 
 All houses werd open — unguarded each door: 
 No bolts and no bars told of robbers by night, 
 No high prison walls offended the sight, 
 Stores of merchandi.se lay exposed to full view, 
 For at last men were found to be honest and true. 
 None was tempted one moment his neighbor to cheat, 
 Xo deception was practiced in house or on street, 
 But one price was asked for each article .sold. 
 And the sole money used was silver and gold. 
 None knew what a panic in currency mi^ant, 
 A run upon banks or a gain cent per cent ; 
 Stock gamblers on change no longer wore seen, 
 
 ''Bulls" and "Bears,"' were strange names that once might have been. 
 Of palaces built by legalized theft 
 Or foul speculation, no vestige was left. 
 Fraud in buying or selling was wholly unknown ; 
 T/ight weight and short measure had obsolete grown ; 
 
Heapefl hio;li and pressed down and still lunuin;;- over 
 Was the sole rnle and practice that I could discover, 
 And, as no lon^ accounts were kept day after day, 
 No bankrupts were heard of — no failures to ppy. 
 
 It seemed as if flying through vast unknown space, 
 At last I had reached some wonderful place, 
 Where sin had not entered to blast and defile ' i^l*^ 
 
 Scenes blest at creation by Deity's smile. ^-, ^**' 
 
 Unlike our own earth, since the dawning of Time, ■' '^gd 
 
 Despoiled bv oppression or blackened by crime, 
 liainbling on in this deep contemplative mood. 
 Before a vast pile I instinctively stood ; 
 High in air rose a dome on which glittered a star, 
 Like a lonely night beacon to wanderers afar, 
 And on it, in lines Dure as heaven's own blue, 
 "The old is new past and all things are new." 
 I entered — strange forms arrested the eye, 
 01" human inventions in ages gone by : 
 Tools for use — toys for j)leasure — weapons of war, 
 Idols, altars and priestly shrines worshipped no more ; 
 Here was seen the rude ponderous Chaldean plow, 
 With the crown that adorned Melchizedek's brow, 
 The first harp that was made by old Tubal Cain, 
 An image of Bel from a Syrian plain. 
 The chariot of Pharoah, by Miriam sung. 
 For ages of silence with Red sea-weed hung. 
 Now placed on the threshold of Dagon's black shrine 
 Where i'ell the foul god, smit by vengeance divine ; 
 Huge engines found buried in Egypt's deep sand. 
 No doubt, by the builders of pyramids planned, 
 Jewish hammers once used on the mountains of Tyre, 
 Persian censers where glowed perpetual fire. 
 Pagodas from China, of porcelain rare, 
 (lilt, silvered and papered with exquisite care, 
 And the image of gold on Dura's vast plain 
 Where the furnace of fire was thrice heated in vain. 
 
 Here, lay the light frame of an Indian canoe, 
 There, a s([uare Roman gallery attiacted the view. 
 All these and a thousand more relics of old, 
 III its measureless rooms did the edifice hold. 
 
But, f;rpat,er by (iir, bolli in number and cost. 
 Of murderous implements grim war could boiisl, 
 'i'o cut, milim and mingle the fair human (briu 
 In private revenge or in battle's wild storm. 
 
 In another huge hall lay the rough knotty lirand, 
 Still stained as it dropped from Cain's murderous hand; 
 The spears and the swords of nations of yore. 
 ]*]re the deluge a vile generation swept o'er. 
 Here stood the old chariots, each wheel with a scythe, 
 Beneath which men prostrate in anguish would writhe, 
 'I'here, ranged as in former stern battle array 
 Shone the armor of brass used in Rome's warlike day, 
 Helmets, spears, shields, javelins, pikes, swords and slings 
 And the banners, surmounted by eagles' broad win^s. 
 The crossbows of England and rude cnlverin 
 Side by side with the Fijean war-club were wt'n. 
 The battle-axe, sleeped in Mohammedan gore, 
 Tiie Indian tomahawk — Scottish claymore 
 And the rude scalping knife of the savage there lay 
 With the civilized bayonet rusting away. 
 Cruns. pistols, revolvers, mortars, cannon and bombs 
 Were placed in the riiidst of gongs and of drums. 
 Here new patent rifles from near and from far 
 Disclosed the latest improvements in war. 
 All sorts of vessels for fight were displayed. 
 The Malayan war junk, for piracy made, 
 'J'he frigate, with rows of black guns gaping wich^. 
 And the iron-ribbed Monitor's steel plated side. 
 
 On the long lofty walls of the building, were hung 
 Scenes of strife, from the day that our planet was young. 
 To the hour, when mankind, by one solemn vow. 
 Were pledged no longer such crimes to allow. 
 "Twas a sickening sight — like demons from hell. 
 Glared the eyes of the wounded and <lying wlm fell. 
 Trampled down in hot haste, like the mire in tlie street, 
 I'nregarded or spurned by the wayfarers' feet. 
 Above, the dun war-clouds their canopy drew. 
 And with horror T shrunk from the terrible view. 
 Weeping much that man. made in likeness divine, 
 'I'o conflict and bloi^lshed shoidd ever incline. 
 
 lO 
 
But, as g-leunis of bright silver will oft line a elotid 
 (Jold, dismal and black as a funeral shroud, 
 So. high o'er the red tide of battle, a scroll 
 Inscribed by an angel-hand, seemed to unroll : 
 "The work of the just and the righteous is peace — 
 Its effect, rest and surety that never shall cease." 
 
 Light breaking again in my sorrowful heart, 
 With more cheerful feelings 1 rose to depart. 
 But again was amazed, more relics to find 
 Of the devil's vast power and rule o'er mankind. 
 Man's record was here with Slavery's stains, 
 Its whips and its handcuffs —its fetters and chains. 
 In the midst, the old time-worn whipping-post stood, 
 Its platform deep stained with long streams of blood, 
 And on it the form of a suppliant slave 
 Beseeching for mercy and aid no one gave, 
 •leers and taunts from the crowd were the only reply 
 And demoniac hate shone forth from each eye. 
 Near by was an auction, whence rose the loud cry, 
 "Likely negroes for sale! come, gentlemen, buy! 
 Here goes a mulatto, young, handsome and sound, 
 Note her beautiful teeth, her limbs smooth and round, 
 Mark her elegant bust, her long glossy hair, 
 An<l her ankle that will with Venus' compare. 
 Such a bright, lovely face is not seen every day ; 
 Then put her up, gentlemen, what do you say? 
 Xdt a thons;n:d is bid ! — she must go on the shelf; 
 At such a low price I will take her myself. 
 Two thousand ! "down came the quick hammer, "she's gone. 
 The auctioneer growled in a low sneering tone. 
 And the onlv reply was the slave's subdued groan. 
 Here's another chance, gentlemen — come near the -;tand ! 
 A healthy vouul' negress. brought up by liand, 
 Her regulai' teeth prove her yet in her prime. 
 While her well- knitted arms tell of work in her time. 
 She can cook, wash and iron — pick cc)tton or sew, 
 And the twins at her side, productiveness show. 
 We will sell them together or singly, as be>;t 
 \'()u may judge, for their owner no choice has expresseil. 
 ITow niiuh shall I have for the mother, alone? 
 
 11 
 
'Tis a positive sale of ilesh and of hone — 
 
 Six hundred is all that i hear — what a price ! 
 
 You may double it safely, is all my advice. 
 
 Seven, eight — cheap as dirt ! nine, ten, are you done ? 
 
 A bargain tor you, sir ! an A., nunil)ei one ! 
 
 And now for a boy ; stand up, you young dog ! 
 
 Don't be blubbering there like a water-soaked log ; 
 
 Give a fair l)id at once — right (juick, if you please, 
 
 My friends, for 1 shall not dwell long upon these !'' 
 
 "O ! massa !"' for mercy, my darling boys buy ! 
 
 ("ried tiie wostricken mother, "without them I die !" 
 
 A tittering laugh was the sole answer given, 
 
 Rut I knew that appeal was recorded in heaven. 
 Again the sharp ring of the hammer was heard, 
 
 And with it, the oath-enforced threatening word, 
 
 "Tear the niggers apart, gag the woman'.- black mouth ! 
 
 Let the young rascals stay while she goes further south." 
 
 ] felt my blood boil — my arm rising to deal 
 
 One blow at the wretch, conscience hardened as steel, 
 
 When a low, gentle voice I could but obey, 
 
 Whispered : "Vengeance is mine — 1 the Lord, will repay !" 
 Looking upwards, sweet faces, like angels' were seen. 
 
 Of those who the friends of the boi.dsman had been. 
 
 Once, hated and scorned by the proud ones of earth. 
 
 None could tell in that day the amount of their worth. 
 
 'J'hey toiled to remove all oppression and crime. 
 
 With faitii ever strong in their mission sublime. 
 
 In the white harvest field, 'till their sands were all run, 
 
 And the welcome was heard, "Faithful .servant ! well done !" 
 
 Once more, to another a|KU-tuient I turned ; 
 My bosom, with more indignation yet burned. 
 When 1 viewed all the engines of torture employed 
 Under guise of religion, when thousands destroyed, 
 Confessed before man a God answering prayer, 
 And died in the faith they had lived to declare. 
 Here were thumbscrews, racks, pillories, scaffolds and thongs — 
 Here, the irons oft-heated to bore human tongues, 
 With the chains and the whips to torment, maim and slay 
 Christian sufierers in dungeons remote from the day. 
 Tu the middle arose the huge liinck corner stone 
 
 11 
 
Of thai builfliiig of Rome, long centuries known, 
 
 When the devil's own priests loved to torture and pain, 
 
 And autos de-fe soiled the blue skies of Spain. 
 
 "() ! shame !'' I exclaimed, that Satan should bind 
 
 In such hellish arts the souls of mankind— 
 
 That man, the object of Infinite Love. 
 
 The crudest foe to his brother should prove !"' 
 
 ••Too true, my dear sir," a mild voice replied. 
 
 And, turning, I saw au old man at my side. 
 
 Whose silver locks swept his broad shoulders — whose brow 
 
 Showed no furrow or scar from Time's rugged plow ; 
 
 His eye beaming bright as in infancy's days, 
 
 While his every word seemed attuned unto praise. 
 
 "Too true ! but 'tis past — ail the horrors of war. 
 
 Persecution and slavery, now are no more. 
 
 This edifice, piled with mementos of sin, 
 'I'ells how wicked and vile former ages have been, 
 When, to deepest abysses of infamy hurled, 
 They lived and they died without God in the world. 
 Hut, thardvs be to Him, the Father and Son — 
 An unending reign of peace hath begun. 
 And the Holy Spirit now circling the earth. 
 All creation is pure as when called into birth. 
 But few enter here — too painful the sight — 
 ()thtr„scfc'ile^;^ot;'!er,9b]scta mr people invite-; ; ' . - , >^ - ., 
 To tio\gOod!and conmarticr^teai oiii' sole^ain),,' "> ]\ ,' ,', ", '' 
 And onr works prove, as Christians, we raerft tlie name.' ' 
 Then mourn net, jny /rjend.,at the,yi,cture of crime 
 That polluted thejwpijld ancUhe record of' '^^f^^> /' 
 Up! pilgrim ! I bid thee, Go'd'-speetf &h thy wav ' ■ 
 'Till it lead through the mists to perpetual day !" 
 
 I arose — deep gratitude filling my heart. 
 From such a wise counsellor, loth to depart. 
 '■Many thanks," I rejoined, "for thy true kindness shown — 
 Henceforth 1 will look on the i)right side alone. 
 Farewell ! for thou art well, thy words clearly prove 
 1'hongh thy home be on earth, thy life is above !" 
 
 We parted, with souls in communion true, 
 He, to point out the past, I my path to pursue. 
 l)eep musing upon the old things I had seen. 
 
 l:*. 
 
To doubt almost inclined that such had e'er been, 
 But in grateful emotion that vice, crime and war 
 O'er this our fair earth should run riot no more, 
 1 stood by the edge of a wide and deep bay, 
 Whose blue waters mingled with ocean's white s[)ray ; 
 On its shore vessels lay with canvass full furled, 
 While others were fitting to sail round the world. 
 They floated as light on the clear glassy tide 
 As snow-breasted swans in their beauty and pride; 
 Buoyed up by some new — some magical art, 
 The gentlest zephyr impelled them to start, 
 And when, leaving purt, the wind filled each sail, 
 They skimmed the wide waters like leaves in a gale. 
 But, far stranger than these — a wonderful sight, 
 High above, were vast air-ships, with pinions as light 
 As those of the sea bird, that, day after day. 
 Unwearied, in solitude wings its long way. 
 Bright streamers on every side gracefully swayed, 
 Now tossed high in air and now pendent in shade. 
 And 1 read, as I stood mid the gathering crowd, 
 "The Arrow, the Meteor, the Swift Flying Cloud, 
 The Sunbeam, Ware, Northern Light, Iris," and more, 
 Moored proudly above that dense peopled shore.'" 
 "Twas a glorious sight as they swung in the air, 
 lni;pa*:i.enf,.,as ''t^«'er€i, their, buToen to bear-, 
 AnJj' Lemp^ed^, l.Sitepped up a spii-a' stnirwiy, 
 A short flying visit to Europe to pay. 
 Rung the noi;e o,f <?.epart'i'!'e-.-outspre?,d thfr hugp wings. 
 And we i'pse< s\> tu,spe*k,.o,'er tert!estii.'-l.tl,in<;s. 
 Fainter came from the crowd eacii last parting cheer. 
 'Till in one confused hum, they were lost to the ear. 
 Faded then from the sight the houses and trees 
 As we went higher up, swept along by the breeze. 
 And the land and the sea far below in mist lay, 
 'Till we lost sight of mountain, rock, river and bay. 
 And now as the twilight still deepened to night, 
 O'erhead hhone the ?tars in a full blaze of light. 
 And the broad calm expanse of ocean below 
 We saw like another bright galaxy glow. 
 So fair was the scene, I asked one near by, 
 
 14 
 
'"Do tpitipests ne'er hlow or clouds darken ynur sky ?" 
 ''No ! no ! my good friend, by Omniscient 4o'^*j^ 
 From storm, fire and flood, earth forever is 'Hf-^^i^v 
 The elements now are propitious to man, ^ ^ ' a, 
 
 And nothini^ now mars a wise Deity's plan. ^f 
 
 The vvinds are not fickle nor faithless the deep, /^ f^ 
 For He, who hatii promised, His sure word will kee[5fe ^^^^ 
 
 For many an hour I gazed at the sky, ^ _ ^kM 
 
 Unwilling to shut from such splendor tny eye, ^^5 'C 
 
 'Till, tired at the thought of infinite space, ^ 
 
 I sough;, in the cabin, a calm resting place. 
 It was filled with guests from every land, 
 From cold Labrador to Afric's hot sand — 
 The Chinaman, Hindoo. Turk, Arab and Jew, 
 Men in fact, from all parts of the old world and new. 
 The light that illumed the spacious saloon 
 Was as white and as clear as the midsummer moon ; 
 "Twas the pure beam galvanic, soft, steady and free 
 From all noxious fumes that with health disagree. 
 And 1 heard that the engine that moved our light bark 
 Was the same that gave out the bright flashing spark ; 
 That no oil was now used, nor explosive compound, 
 On earth, among all the nations was found. 
 And light, heat and motion at last were attained, 
 Bv one simple and practical instrument gained. 
 The sides of that noble apartment were dressed 
 With gems of rare art from the east and the west ; 
 Here a statue stood poised, just ready to fly. 
 There, a picture of Saturn's new belt caught the eye, 
 And one thing I noticed — or fiction, or fact, 
 The good of mankind prompted every act — 
 Nay, the converse of all, whether light, grave or gav, 
 Was marred by no folly, whate'er men might say. 
 
 But the bell sounded one— I entered my berth. 
 To rest in mid air, safe as on the firm earth. 
 And all the night long heard the quivering beat 
 Of the wings in their slow and measured repeat. 
 
 '•Up ! sunrise is reddening the earth and the sky !"" 
 Cried the voice of some one, without waiting reply. 
 And I sprang from my conch to watch the long gleam 
 
 15 
 
 '^ 
 
Tip our beautiful |ioniu)n with inoraing's iirst hcam. 
 
 It came and it bathed in warm rosy hue 
 
 The vessel, as faster through lio;ht mists il flew, 
 
 Till we thought of that word that once echoed sublime. 
 
 ''Lifht ! be!" and Day markeil the divisions of time. 
 
 Thus we winged our swift course through the cool u})|)er air 
 
 Now meeting a ship in the atmosphere rare, 
 
 Now skimming above the blue boundless deep 
 
 With its waves by warm zephyrs lulled softly to sleep. 
 
 At last a gray cloud seemed lo rise in the north ; 
 
 It neared us — and soon the glad sea cry went forth. 
 
 '•Land ! ho ! 'tis old P^ngland — her white cliffs arise !" 
 
 And we crowd to the front in joy aiid surprise. 
 
 There it lay, in green beauty, but not as of yore, 
 
 With its forts and its cannon bristling the shore ; 
 
 All hushed were the thunders that rolled o'er the land 
 
 And no vessels of war polhite<l her strand. 
 
 We stopped just above the world-renowned mart 
 
 Of London, where science, wealth, learning and art, 
 
 The treasures of ages, in countless store lay. 
 
 Reserved "till the dawn of a happier day. 
 
 Then, softly descending, we stepped on firm ground 
 
 To view the new objects and people around. 
 
 The u-rim Tower rose before ns — we entered the gate. 
 
 Unguarded, as once by stern orders of state, 
 
 For the jewels that in the rich diadems shone, 
 
 Xo longer could tempt one to take for his own. 
 
 Exposed on all sides, were rich scepters of kings, 
 
 Tiaras, pearls, o-ems and a thousand bright things, 
 
 Once prized as the emblems of place and of power. 
 
 But now thought mere childish toys of the hour. 
 
 The vestments of royalty too were displayed. 
 
 Silk, satin, chenille, velvet, plush and brocade, 
 
 With exquisite work of silver and gold. 
 
 In fine threads that shone on each rich wavy fold. 
 
 And I heard with surprise an attendant confess, 
 
 'Twas the work of long years to complete a court dress. 
 
 "What folly ! "1 cried, "to deck the outside 
 
 With garments to flatter and foster one's pride. 
 
 While the soul, the true being, of measureless worth. 
 
Is less prized and less cared for than mean thiii^'-s of earth," 
 "Where uow are the lions, "I asked, "once confined, 
 
 Brute prisoners, to show the power of mankind ?" 
 
 "0 ! their nature was changed and unchained now they roam, 
 
 To find in the wide world, food, shelter and home. 
 
 The curse that on Adam in Paradise tell, 
 
 Scatlerino' seeds of hate, desolation and hell, 
 
 Is now gone forever — no wild beasts abound, 
 
 And at last in his works God's true image is found." 
 Looking down on the river, I marked its calm face 
 
 Half hid by white sails from every place, 
 
 The strange looking junk from distant Japan, 
 
 Unchanged in its form since the empire began, 
 
 The light buoyant bark of more modern time, 
 
 Adapted for use in every clime, 
 
 The swift gliding steamer with paddle or screw. 
 
 The frigate, no longer exposing to view 
 
 Its port-holes whence issued the missiles of war— 
 
 For strife, hate and conflict existed no more. 
 
 A hundred bright Hags were floating in air, 
 
 l']afh, the name of some country or race to declare; 
 
 Not, as once, the proud banner to wave in the fight. 
 
 The theme of the poet — the warrior's delight, 
 
 Hut the emblem of peace and of love among men 
 
 Long ago sung by angels on Bethlehem's plain. 
 
 'Twas a glorious sight — -but I could not delay ; 
 
 So, descending the 'J'ovvsr, swiftly passed on my way. 
 All the streets seemed alive with a slow-moving throng, 
 
 Hut n<i jostling was known as they travelled along ; 
 
 Kvery one knew another, each face bi>atned with joy 
 
 And nought was heard, seen, or felt to annoy. 
 
 The streets and the |)avements were so smoothly laid, 
 
 For safety and ease, both for man and beast made, 
 
 That one might walk on from morning till iiiglil. 
 
 I'nfatigued, to enjoy each varying sight, 
 
 A thousand wide stores were thrown open to view. 
 
 Piled with goods whose nse our fathers ne'er knew. 
 
 There were garnuMits for all. without stitch or seam, 
 
 Ilobes dyed as in colors of sunset's rich beam, 
 
 Wings on frames. 1o be used on the oarili cv in air. 
 
 17 
 
With speed on his journey t!ie pilgrim to heur : 
 
 But time will not allow me the list to rehearse 
 
 Of all these strange sights, in this fugitive verse ; 
 
 Suffice it to say, every thing that I saw 
 
 Was strictly conformed to one excellent law 
 
 That forbade all mankind to make or to use 
 
 Any goods that a Christian would ever refuse. 
 
 No trimmings nor ribbons hung flying around, 
 
 No vile trashy novels on book shelves were found, 
 
 Xo flaring, gay posters announced some boUl lie 
 
 Made only to catch the gaping crowd's eye. 
 
 Xo cards in the witidows svere seen to declare 
 
 That the cheapest and best in the world were sold there ; 
 
 Xo drinking saloons stared full in one's face, 
 
 Xo cDuipounders of licjuors were seen in the place; 
 
 They had all gone below with the spirits accursed. 
 
 Of all Satan's agents the vilest and worst. 
 
 Tobacco was none — no smoker's breath there 
 
 Ai\noyed the nice sense or corrupted the air. 
 
 Surprised at tlie fact, "How is this? I enquired. 
 
 When a patriarch near me, in pure white attired. 
 
 Replied, 'Ts it true that one being on earth 
 
 Knows not that the world was reformed in new birth ! 
 
 I have heard, when a boy, my grandsire aflSrm 
 
 That the plant in one night was destroyed by a worm, 
 
 And never since then, half a century ago, 
 
 Has any one seen it or known it lo grow ; 
 
 The panic from pole to eijuaior was great 
 
 As any past earthqu ike was known to create, 
 
 And some ventured to say that thousands indeed 
 
 Would die for the want of their favorite weed. 
 
 But the prophecy failed — fiom disuse followed health, 
 
 Purer lives, better mcn-als and wisdom and wealtii. 
 
 "And where are the dram shops — the houses for dance. 
 Where, heated by wine and lost as in trance, 
 Full many a maiden drank, stumbled and fell, 
 (Once pure as a snow-Hake) from heaven to hell." 
 ''Alas ! my dear friend, how little you know 
 Of the great revolution the world now can show. 
 When mankind o'er the globe acknowledged the sway 
 
 IS 
 
Of the great King of kings all are bound to obey. 
 
 All sill disappeared ; lust, passion and crime 
 
 No longer defiled the annals of Time ; 
 
 None dared to entice his weak brother to wrong, 
 
 None wished to provoke or by action or tongue, 
 
 None, the health or the comfort of one living soul 
 
 For a moment would wish to restrain or control. 
 
 And with feelings like these, who, the heavens below. 
 
 Could continue a trade fraught with ruin and wo ! 
 
 No! no! pure religion can never annoy 
 
 The peace of mankind or their good-will destroy. 
 
 For if God, as his works clearly argue, be love, 
 
 Whose dwelleth in Him shall his follower prove. 
 
 Every thing that the soul of man can defile. 
 
 Is purged from the earth by Deity's smile, 
 
 Who hath cleansed the whole world, through his only Son's blood, 
 
 And seen, as in Paradise, all his works good." 
 
 "Oeliiihtful !'" I cried, "that all evil hath ceased, 
 And man from the thraldom of sin is released ; 
 Who e'er would have dared, amid doubts and fears 
 To predict such a change in the past hundred vears?" 
 
 We parted, and, entering a new city car 
 On polished rails sliding, without noise or jar, 
 I was soon the rich and green pastures aniong. 
 In history famed and by poets long sung 
 Lovely hamlets and villages dotted each vale, 
 While the siveet breath of wild flowers scented the gale. 
 The vine clung to the roof with its clusters of fruit, 
 The fig, fearless of winter, expanded each shoot, 
 And the bright golden orange gleamed through the dark leaves 
 Where the robin her nest built beneath the low eaves, 
 I looked, but could see no idler there. 
 Sounds of labor alone arose on the air, 
 Each his neighbor would aid if his own part wert' done, 
 l<\-om day's early dawn to the set of the sun, 
 As a bee hive, the land seemed with people alive. 
 And all nature in peace and in plenty to thrive ; 
 By the wayside stood rows of wide spreading trees 
 Whose yield or whose shade could refresh or could please. 
 For one law reigned o'er all — each, with Christian regard. 
 
 lO 
 
Souglit his neighbor's heSt good as his own rich reward. 
 I looked fur llie buildings benevolence reared — 
 'J'here were none, for the paupers had all disappeared ; 
 No blind, sick, deaf, lame, or feeble of mind. 
 In all my wide wanderings ou eartii could 1 find. 
 The homes for the friendless, deserted or poor, 
 Vainly hoped by their founders, all time to endure, 
 Were devoted to Science, not blind, as of oi<l, 
 When Alchemy sought to turn dross into jjold. 
 Hut certain and true, illumed from ou high. 
 To the pure Fount of light ever turning her eye. 
 There were school rooms, lyceums and vast lecture halls 
 With all treasures of 'J'ime, densely filling the walls. 
 While professors of every known science and art. 
 Sought the mind to inform or to lead the young lit-arl. 
 
 The long rows of workshops for artisans made, 
 Xo longer their low. dusty windows displayed. 
 Where faint, toil-worn hundreds met sickness and death 
 1m the close stitliug air, corrupted by breat!; ; 
 Hut sunlight enlivened each lofty-walled room 
 And each rounded cheek showed fresiiness and l^iooni. 
 The master was ever the workers among. 
 Their health to secure — not their labors prolong. 
 No law was required — as a Christian, he knew 
 He to others should act as he wished them to do. 
 Xo poisonous gas was floating in air 
 Sowing germs of disease and of death everywhere, 
 For the vapors evolved, by chemical skill 
 Were innocuous made, other ends to I'liHil. 
 Tiie men who long delved in the deep gloomy mine. 
 Mid' the fire-damp, allowed their bright lanterns to shine ; 
 As the light they now used created no heat, 
 " Twere idle to think any danger to meet, 
 And the air, so mephitic of old time, became 
 As oxygen pure, when it met the soft flame. 
 
 lloamed th^ deer through the streets of the populnus town. 
 Not now with swift steeds and fierce dogs hunted down. 
 The tox and the hare lived in the same den 
 On iutimale terms, unmolested by men, 
 Fverv bcasi, l)ird or fish, by night and by day. 
 
 •H > 
 
No longer regarded each otlier ils prev, 
 
 But, protected by man, to his friendship proved true, 
 
 And love bound ail creatures in league ever new. 
 
 Nought was seen, uought was heard i)ut iriadness and praise 
 
 For the blessings that crowned those bright halcyon days, 
 
 And even 'roni l']rin thanksgiving was lieard, 
 
 'Till the gray crags of Scotland with echoes were stirred, 
 
 I returned to the sea where the white cliffs arose 
 As landmarks to show how the tide ebbs and tiows ; 
 
 "Adieu to Old England ! exulting, I cried, 
 Where order, peace, love and religion al)ide ! 
 Of the nations who spent l)lood and treasure in war, 
 She. who once was the first, ambitious no more, 
 Now sends forth her people to each distant land 
 To teach and to preach at the Saviour's command !" 
 
 As I gazed o'er the deep, entranced at the view. 
 Not a vapor or cloud dimmed the lair boundless blue. 
 At my feet the waves with joy seemed to dance 
 Through the piers of an air-tube, the high road to France, 
 And, lying at ease on a rich velvet bed, 
 Impelled like an arrow, in safety I sped 
 ( )"er the channel that washes each bold rocky shore. 
 h'irst united — then severed — -but now linked once more. 
 
 i'he manners of every one caused such surprise, 
 Unprepared as I was, I could scarce trust my eyes. 
 The butterfly airs and the light lively tone 
 Hy which, time out of mind, the I''renchman was known. 
 Had been clianged to a sober yet cheerful aildress 
 Marked with smiles and true dignity, tew can express. 
 I'lvery look, every gesture evince<l that they knew 
 That courtesy based on religion is true. 
 
 All frivolity gone — vain amusements forgot. 
 I found not in city or country one spot, 
 Wliere an opera, ballroom or theatre stood 
 To arouse evil thoughts or to stifle the good. 
 The Sabbath, profaned for long centuries [last, 
 Was observed, not by sorrowful penance or last, 
 l?ut the nation obeyed the divine command given. 
 To rest and to worship one d.ay in seven. 
 The gay gai'diMis and ])alaces, open of yore 
 
 •>1 
 
Wliere drinkers iiinl dancers by turns trod the Hoor, 
 
 Were thronged by a multitude ever inclined 
 
 To read or to hear what would prulit tiic mind. 
 
 No imperial rule forced each class to ol)ey, 
 
 No autocrat, kincr or dictator held sway, 
 
 A firm free Republic framed lonjr time a<ro. 
 
 Proved populai still, as Time's chronicles show. 
 
 No soldier police stood guard to iletect. 
 
 Arrest or confine — there was none to suspect. 
 
 Throughout the wide land not a murmur was heard. 
 
 No quarrel was known — none spake an ill word. 
 
 And I thought, as I travelled through country or town, 
 
 "Twas as if heaven itself, to earth had come down. 
 
 We passed on the rail, swift as birds cleave the air. 
 Vales dotted with villages — mountain peaks bare. 
 But tinged in the sunlight with soft golden hue, 
 For many a league 'till the Alps met our view. 
 There they stood — their proud forms towering up in the sky 
 But nc traces of glaciers or snow, met the eye ; 
 Since the time all mankind had known the new birth, 
 One perpetual spring had encircled the earth. 
 Cold, heat, frost, .storm and ice were unknown ; 
 No earthquakes now rumbled beneath each broad zone ; 
 Volcanoes were none — their fires were decayed, 
 And cities no longer in ruins were laid. 
 As the .slopes of Italian vales caught the si.'ht. 
 Every glance at the scene called forth new delight. 
 The sunembrowned peasants in vineyard or field 
 Were tilling each crop or gathering the yield. 
 Rich clambering vines o'er the road threw their shad^. 
 The tropic banana its broad leaf <lisplayed, 
 While the palm, like a monarch with sceptre and cmwii. 
 O'er the lowlier trees of the forest looked down. 
 The olive, the fig and the pomegranate there 
 Repaid in abundance the laborer's care. 
 And the mingled perfume of a thousand sweet Howers, 
 J^ike incense arose from the thick orange bowers. 
 
 But the train still sped on, and now in the haze 
 That purpled the hills in the sun's level rays, 
 The columns and lemples of Rome rose in view. 
 
Spires, domes iiiul palaces, ancient and now. 
 
 We entered where once the chariots rolled 
 
 To the vast Coliseum, when centuries ohl 
 
 Saw the sandy arena clotted with ^or«^, 
 
 While above the death tjroan rung the lion's wild roar. 
 
 No longer the massive walls crumbled and Cell, 
 
 Its decay and its ruin for ages to tell ; 
 
 'i'he huge pile was now used for a far higher aim 
 
 Thiin the praise of a pagan emperor's name. 
 
 Rebuilt and remodelled, it rung with the cry, 
 
 "Our Lord, GOD omnipotent reigneth on high !" 
 
 To the city tlien hastening, I marked witii surprise, 
 No Romish processions attracted all eyes, 
 No beggars, the pest of the traveller, were seen, 
 No long lines of priests with crosses between, 
 No nuns in black robes paraded the street, 
 No close-shaven uioidis with bare head and feet. 
 The poverty, dirt and all the vile trade 
 That beggary everywhere brings to its aid. 
 Ivxisted no more in that land once debased, 
 (Their name and remembrance forever effaced.) 
 Kach dark piercing eye with a purer ligiit slione, 
 Passion, anger and feuds were entirely unknown. 
 And the love, the apostle once preached, by (lod's grace, 
 Inspired every heart and lit u|) each face. 
 
 Soon we neared the vast — the magnificent slirine. 
 Where once to base man was pai<l homage divine ; 
 'i'he noble proud dome named St. Peter's of old. 
 In the warm sunset gleaming resplendent as gold. 
 N(j cross now sui'mounted the dizzying height, 
 A star hung above it, as pure and as briglit 
 As the one that once stood o'er the manger and betl 
 Where the Saviour of sinners first rested his head. 
 I entered the courts, for hundreds of years 
 Trod by the pilgrims deluded, in sorrow and tears, 
 Where thousands knelt l)owing to image or cross. 
 More than true worship lovir.g the world and its dross. 
 No crucifi.\ now was lifted on high, 
 Xo priest callccl for penance from crowds passing bv, 
 .Xd I'nrm carved. in ivorv, wood, brass or stone. 
 
 •>:{ 
 
Mofkcil the Iniits that hclnii;^' to tlu- Ciodlicai! aldnf. 
 No .sensuous pictures of Virjjiii anil child 
 Pleased the mass, to false adoration beguiU'd. 
 A light, clear and holy, words cannot express. 
 Pervaded the spot and illumined each recess, 
 As the hosts of the faithful from every land, 
 Admired the change wrought by Almighty command, 
 In thai temple where infancy, manhood and youth 
 Worshipped God, their Creator, in spirit and truth. 
 
 '•Does the Pope," I enquired." in the \'atican live, 
 And the people yet think he their sins can forgive ?" 
 •'Oh ! no !" said a gray-haired idd man at my side. 
 "Many years have elapsed since the last Pontiff died. 
 On a far distant shore, exiled, pining he lay, 
 His soul lilled with remorse at the thought ol that day, 
 When he claimed, in his pride, God's vicegerent to he. 
 Receiving vile homage of lip and of knee. 
 Of all the long line of the popes, there was none 
 Save he, who confessed to his Saviour alone; 
 Yet, through mercy <livine, his own sins forgiven. 
 His purified .soul passed from earth into iieaven. 
 This house, once the scene of debauch and of crime, 
 Where blasphemy reigned supreme at one time. 
 Now, sacred to worship, pure, heart-felt and true. 
 Is blest with a Presence old ages ne'er knew. 
 Here the gospel is preached, nndefiled as of yore, 
 By Science, so called, to false doctrines the door, 
 For the Scriptures, first penned tiw- lh« comniri of men. 
 Are read l)y the light of the Spirit again." 
 "Do the people to image or crucifix bow. 
 Or the priests for all crimes absolution allow ?" 
 "From your question, my friend, I judge that yon came 
 From some other planet, unknown yet by name. 
 Or perhaps may have slumbered, unconscious of tim.% 
 While the world was restored in its innocent prime. 
 Come then to the halls where Science combined, 
 With truth and religion enlighten the mind. 
 Where genius, art and sound rsason are found, 
 And errors of schoolmen no longer abound. 
 Superstition has fled, like the mists of the night. 
 
 •U 
 
Dispersed when the sun comos in glorious light. 
 
 Rome, once the foul den of crime, lust and sin, 
 
 Is purged from all evil, her precincts within, 
 
 Remain then and see what treasures untold 
 
 They who witness Messiah's blest advent, behold.' 
 
 "Time presses," I said, "in an hour 1 must start 
 
 In an ocean-bound steamer, ready to part. 
 
 Thanks for all I have seen and have heard thee declare ; 
 
 And now, to the New World, glad tidings I bear, 
 
 That the kingdoms of earth all acknowledge the Lord, 
 
 Redeemed and restored by his life-giving word. 
 
 We parted — then taking some newly-formed shoes, 
 
 For swift and sure travel on water to use, 
 
 I passed down the Tiber — not yellow as when 
 
 Its stained turbid wave, washed valley and glen. 
 
 But sparkling, fresh, clear and pure as the dew 
 
 That on every spray reflects heaven's own blue. 
 
 White villas, temples and towns lined the shore. 
 
 And the gondolier sung, as he dipped his light oar, 
 
 While the hills echoed back the sweet solemn hymn, 
 
 From morning's first dawn, 'till the daylight grew dim. 
 
 With long rapid strides o'er the waters I sped 
 
 And distanced the sea-gulls that flew o'er my head ; 
 
 .Soon the wide river entered a rich, grassy plain 
 
 Where its fresh waters mingled with those of the main. 
 
 There, lay the fair vessel with quivering wings 
 
 liike a bird on the tree-top that flutters and sings. 
 
 Just ready to soar through the measureless sky. 
 
 O'er mead, hill and vale, and precipice high. 
 
 The clarion rung — we left Italy's shore, 
 
 And the old classic sea were fast flying o'er ; 
 
 In a day we touched Cadiz — that bold rocky height 
 
 Where the guns of Gibraltar once blazed in the fight, 
 
 But now streaming with flags from every clime. 
 
 In token that Peace held dominion sublime. 
 
 "Twas dusk — a brilliant red rocket flew high 
 
 O'er the vertical wall far up in the sky, 
 
 While another swept down in the ocean below 
 
 And lingered long after in roseate glow. 
 
 The jiarting salute, with cheer upon cheer. 
 
Was answered, 'lill sound died away on tlic oar, 
 
 And nothin<^ was heard l)ut the inurnuiriiiti deep 
 
 Of the wings' measured stroke inviting to sleep. 
 
 We <(lided as swil't on tlie ocean's expanse 
 
 As the leaves that in the wild hurricane dance. 
 
 The sea glowed with fire from creature-i unknown, 
 
 brighter far than the stars in the zenith they shone. 
 
 And myriad flocks of strange sea Ijirds lay 
 
 On the face of the deep, awaiting the day. 
 
 No moon rose that nighl, but e're twilight was gone. 
 
 The sky seemed to glow with a rich northern dawn, 
 
 And not 'till our flag in the morning breeze swayed. 
 
 Did its soft lambent light from the firmament fade. 
 
 Thus for three days and nights we skimmed the blue main, 
 
 Now watching the air ships again and again, 
 
 Now noting far down in the green, glas.sy brine, — 
 
 Iron ves.sels with lins — a submarine line, 
 
 Propelled by galvanic action alone, 
 
 And made to explore ocean's chambers unknown. 
 
 Meantime I conversed with some that I knew 
 Came from far distant climes, new wonders to view, 
 Of the change wrought on earth since the era began 
 W^hen Christ reiLmed supreme, acknowledged by man. 
 No pen could describe nor could language declare 
 Tho glory His saints were permitted to share. 
 When the devil and all his foul works were destroyed. 
 And happiness dwelt in each heart unalloyed. 
 
 "But how," I inquired, "was the old world renewed ? 
 In a day by Oymiscient fiat made good ? 
 Or purged in long years from sin and its leaven, 
 'Till (lod saw on its bosom the image of heaven ?" 
 "As a thief in the night breaks in unaware, 
 So flashed on the earth, mid its pleasure and care, 
 A splendor surpassing tho sun's noontide ray 
 Foretelling the dawn of millenial day. 
 Attended by thousands of saints came the Lord, 
 To bless his redeemed and to drive the abhorred. 
 As erst he once drove the angels that fell 
 From allegiance, down from high heaven to hell. 
 But 'till then, incrensed both evil and good. 
 
 30 
 
As men a fuise pliaiitniii or true poiicc! [Mirsnod. ■ ^%4 
 Tlioiigli tales o( new crime thrilleil the ear and tliei ' 
 
 Tlie spirit of prayer seemed its power to eonlroi ; v ^ ^'k> 
 With shouts of thanksg-iviiig and praises a;,'-ain "^ 
 
 Reform spread, as years rolled rapidly by, '^ 
 
 And at last from all races beneath every skv. ▼ A 
 
 
 »T It II .^luMii,.-) \t\ I i.fiiii\o^ I V 1 11^ aiiu pi (ii.ir.-) ti^iini ^j ^r jw 
 
 Earth echoed the cry, "Alleluia ! Amen !" 'tM^ff^A 
 
 But the soft evenino; wind that our li^'ht liark swept o'er, ^ ^~^ 
 
 Flower-scented, announced we were Hearing the shore, ^ 
 
 And ere night's somber curtain had veiled the red sky. 
 
 The glare of bright lamps arrested the eye. 
 
 'Twas a populous city of wealth ami of fame, 
 
 Filled with thousands of every class, country and name. 
 
 I passed through the streets — no tumult was thei-e, 
 
 No low profane words polluted the air. 
 
 No theatre belched out at midni'iht a throng 
 
 Inflamed with drugged wine and lascivious song ; 
 
 All was peaceful and still, as a calm Sabbath day. 
 
 For man was no more to his brother a prey. 
 
 Each dwelling I entered revealed the true sign 
 
 Ol' Christian communion — the Presence Divine, 
 
 For they in whose souls His graces abide, 
 
 In each other's friendship forever confide. 
 
 Fatigued with my journey — deprived ol my rest, 
 
 Long time I remained in that city a guest. 
 
 Pondering deeply on all I had seen and had heard 
 
 'Till my soul from its deepest recesses was stirred. 
 
 There was seen in all things such a marvellous change, 
 
 One could hardly imagine an era so strange ; 
 
 Here a library stood with its wide open iloor, 
 
 'J'he clerks and librarian needed no more. 
 
 As the readers took works from their place on the shelves 
 
 And duly returned them uninjured themselves. 
 
 No comic nor frivolous lectures were known. 
 
 Instruction and knowledge were sought for alone, 
 
 There were schools for the infant, the child and the aged ; 
 
 In all labors of love the fair sex was engaged ; 
 
 No voting was heard of— no taxes were paid. 
 
 For religion from government needed no aid. 
 
 Throui:hout the wide world nf»t a vestige was found 
 
Of weeds that for aj^es were loiowii to aliDiiml, 
 
 Nor a poisonous serpent to stin;r or annoy. 
 
 Nor an insect, the rich harvest hopes to destrow 
 
 The sun, moon and stars each in tnrn >jave their light, 
 
 One scorched not by day, while the rest warmed the night 
 
 And nature was fair as the garden of Tiod. 
 
 The Paradise once by angel (eet trod. 
 
 '•Blest world! "I exclaimed, "all honor and praise 
 Be to Him who now rules these millenial days!" 
 With fervor I spoke — raised my hand towards the sUy, 
 And heard the soft whisper of some one near by ; 
 Then turned just in time to see sunset's last gleam, 
 Wiien tlie present rushed back, and lo ! 'twas a dream ! 
 
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