restlessness of a troubled spirit, and anon gazing on the conflict without. The chamber was supplied with every luxury, and lighted by lamps emitting a sweet and pleasant odor, while upon the forms of its occupants shone jewels of rare beauty and value, and robings from the most famed looms of the age. The storm continued an hour, and then the dark drapery fell from the blue vault, and the beautiful stars were disclosed to view one by one, like glittering gems, and the moon, gentle and smiling, scattered her rays until the expansive sky was flooded with mellow light, softening and beautifying every object. The breath of countless flowers-such flowers as bloom but in Eastern lands-floated up and filled the atmosphere with delicious fragrance, while everything seemed to whisper

There's light to follow darkness e'er-
There's joy for those who doubt and fear

There's calm when threat'ning storms are done-
There's peace for all beneath the sun.

"Look up, my lord, the elements have stayed their contention -look up, I pray, and gladden the heart of thy handmaiden," murmured the lute-like tones of Serah, the wife of Nicodemus. "The gloomy clouds obscure the celestial orb no longer-all is brightness."

The ruler pressed his hand upon the heart that throbbed wildly beneath his costly robe of purple and fine linen, and sighing, replied, "There is no brightness in my soul, Serah; there is naught but darkness and gloom always. In halls of state, in synagogue or temple, at home by thy side, my adored, tranquillity eludes me, and doubts of a future kingdom, thoughts of another life disturb my bosom."

"Hast thou heard the Nazarene ?" questioned his beautiful listener, while to her face there sprang an expression of awe and reverence. "Hast thou hearkened to the great teacher whose fame has extended all over our lovely land, the ambassador of God, whose voice has been heard on Olivet's mount, in the garden, by the stream so dear to my heart, and elsewhere?" And there was that in the light of the speaker's beaming countenance, that told a Christian woman's undying faith in Him, who had gathered around him so many of her fair sisters.

"He is an imposter, Serah; he has deceived thee and othersOUR Messiah is yet to come," spoke the ruler.

"Dost forget the miracles he has performed? There was no deception in the awakening of the noble brother of the fair sisters of Bethany from the slumbers of the grave-in the resuscitation of the only son of the widow of Nain, and the sweet childish daughter of Jairus, nor in the healing of poor wasted frames."

"Ah! Serah, can he heal the mind? Can this boasted one dis

pel the doubts and fears that have gathered in sad confusion about my aching bosom ?" and the ruler hid his noble countenance amid the rich cushions of the sumptuous couch on which he had been seeking repose in vain.

His companion placed her soft hand on his head, and bending down, whispered in his ear. He rose from his pillow and flung his arm around her fair person, drew her to his side, and said, "Weary of thy presence, my loved one? Weary of aught so good and true? Sooner the golden sun forget his risings and declinings, the moon to gladden the earth with her smile, the stars to sparkle on heaven's robe, the blossoms we love to fling their fragrance on the breeze; sooner all things forget their appointed destinies, than I remember not thy affection, thy truth, thy gentle devotion."

The Jewish wife bent modestly beneath the glance of her lord, cherished next to her God, and murmurmed, "Thanks, thanks→→→ and now hearken to thy servant. Whose power bade the clouds disperse, and unmantled the glory of the night-gems, stayed the rain and the swift-footed lightning, kept us here unscathed by the fiercely contending elements, reaches my heart and thine! Go to the Bethlehemite and learn what thou wouldst of a future state."

There had long been a shadow on the brow of Nicodemus, a grief in his bosom unrevealed, and this shadow had deepened, this grief had grown heavier and darker, until his noble form bent under its influence. Amid the halls of state he remained gloomy and abstracted; and when he sought his rich and gorgeous dwelling, and encountered the soft caresses of his dark-eyed Serah, his troublous dreams increased, his mental inquietude became insupportable, and he longed in the bitterness of his spirit to die. Now he trembled beneath the music-words that greeted his ear, but he replied,

"Men will scoff at me, Serah-my people will denounce the traitor to the religion of his fathers." And he rose to his feet and paced the apartment impatiently, while his companion poured forth the language of condolence, though her full heart was overflowing with sadness for his anguish. Oh! woman-woman! what is not thine to do and suffer!

"Seek the one I have named, my lord; seek him to night;" she replied. "His voice steals on the heart like the melodies of our minstrels, and each tone will bring thee peace."

"Not to-night-oh! not to-night can I seek peace," exclaimed the ruler. "The season of darkness is not a time to unveil the soul."

"There is a flower, my master," meekly answered the Jewess, "that unfolds its petals when all eyes are shrouded save His to whom its fragrance floats up. It pours its incense out in darkness and secrecy. Be like that plant, and bare thy breast to the gaze of heaven."

What cannot the persuasions of the gentle and pure effect? Nicodemus sought the abode of the Nazarene, and uttering his simple "Rabbi, Rabbi," was admitted to his presence. Fair as a woman's were the broad brow, the delicate cheek, and full orbs of that lowly one, while the long floating curls of radiant hair lent a wondrous beauty to the meek countenance. He spoke, and the ruler hearkened as to a strain of celestial minstrelsy-fear fled away, doubts vanished, and to his heart there stole a thrilling sensation of perfect happiness. He knelt and worshipped in sincerity, and when the first faint streak of the early dawn became visible, he left the side of his angelic instructor and sought his proud home, thenceforth to live for that eternal and fadeless clime allotted to those who are "born again."

Jerusalem's pride has been humbled in the dust-centuries have sunk to their graves-nations have risen and fallen, but the power of the teacher still remains; it is glorious, illimitable.

He beholds us, he loves us, he hears us alway;
In the darkness of midnight, the brightness of day;
Though his reign on the rude earth forever is past,
From yon heaven arched o'er us, his blessings are cast.

THE DREAM.

BY WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.

I HAD a dream-a strange, wild dream-
Said a voice at early light;

And even yet its shadows seem

To linger in my waking sight.

Earth, green with spring, and fresh with dew,

And bright with morn, before me stood,

And airs just wakened softly blew

On the young blossoms of the wood.

Birds warbled in the sprouting shade,

Bees hummed amid the whispering grass,
And children prattled as they played
Beside the rivulet's dimpling glass,

Fast climbed the sun-the flowers were flown;
There played no children in the glen;

For some were gone, and some were grown
To blooming dames and bearded men.

'Twas noon, 't was summer-I beheld
Woods darkening in the flush of day,
And that bright rivulet spread and swelled,
A mighty stream with creek and bay.

And here was love, and there was strife,
And mirthful shouts and wrathful cries,
And strong men, struggling as for life,

With knotted limbs and angry eyes.

Now stooped the sun-the shades grew thin; The rustling paths were piled with leaves; And sun-burnt groups were gathering in, From the shorn field, its fruits and sheaves.

The river heaved with sullen sounds;
The chilly wind was sad with moans;
Black hearses passed, and burial-grounds
Grew thick with monumental stones.

Still waned the day; the wind that chased
The jagged clouds blew chiller yet;
The woods were stripped, the fields were waste;
The wintry sun was near its set.

And of the young, and strong, and fair,

A lonely remnant, grey and weak,

Lingered, and shivered to the air

Of that bleak shore and water bleak.

Ah! age is drear, and death is cold!

I turned to thee, for thou wert near, And saw thee withered, bowed, and old, And woke, all faint with sudden fear.

'Twas thus I heard the dreamer say,
And bade her clear her brow;
"For thou and I, since childhood's day,
Have walked in such a dream till now.

"Then, while the shadowy show departs,
Watch me with trusting eye, and take

Deep into calm and faithful hearts,
Its holy meaning, till we wake."

WHAT CONSTITUTES TRUE HAPPINESS IN

THE CONJUGAL STATE.

BY REV. A. A. LIPSCOMB.

ONE of the most serious errors that can occupy the mind, is that which regards marriage as an end in itself. Such is not a correct view of this important relation. If it be so contemplated, each party will inevitably feel that nothing more remains to be effected. The object was possession; that secured, all vigilance of thought ceases the disposition to please vanishes-affection relapses into indifference, and kind-hearted attentions become unknown. The true idea of marriage is, that it is a means, and not an end-Providence designed it to sustain this character. If it have most responsible duties-if it bring the most solemn of all engagements, it is with reference to our happiness; and, consequently, wedded bliss is only to be sought in the faithful discharge of wedded obligations. The husband and wife virtually separate themselves, in a measure, from the outer world, and covenant before God to promote each other's pleasure. The first and last sentiment should be, that they are to be a mutual blessing. To look to the external world for their happiness-seek it in the crowded saloon-to repair to the next neighbor's to find it, is a sacrifice of the great principle on which such a union is based. Let the parties be thrown upon themselves for pleasure, and marriage will be constantly viewed as a means to secure it. Everything will be avoided that would tend to mar domestic tranquillity. The business of each day will be to remove all grounds of irritation-to soothe asperities of temperto cultivate increasing nearness of relation, and to form their own natures in the same mould. Married persons should ever remember that their happiness hangs on the perpetuation of those sentiments and feelings which originally drew them together. The interesting days that preceded their union ought to be unceasingly lived over and over, until their spirit becomes the spirit of life.Who can recur to those moments, when love had been but recently enshrined in the heart, when fancy had but one image before her vision-when memory was lost in hope, and hope merged in the certainties of reality, and not realize that the past has a wondrous power over human emotions? Blissful was the prelude season, bright and beautiful like the days that steal upon us in the wintry time as sweet harbingers of the soft spring. Anxiety quickened the play of feeling, and affection, tender and ardent, made every heart-string give forth the richest melody. The intensity of ro