HEAVY crape hung on the door of the cottage of the weeping Soul. Hope, that patient, trusting maiden, lay dead within.
For a long time she had lingered waiting and watching to see the fulfilment of promises fair. But disappointment succeeded disappointment, and after a time she grew tired and faint, and soon the dark curtains of despair fell before her weary eyes, shutting out the last glimmering ray of light. And then Soul found time to leave her amusements and watch by her dying daughter. With a heavy heart she set about trying various remedies for the restoration of her expiring child; but at last, when she saw that all her efforts were fruitless, she wrung her hands in despair, and cried out: "O, what shall I do to save my precious Hope?"
When Charity heard these words, she in tender sympathy replied: "Mother, send Sister Faith for the Great Physician, while I remain to comfort and assist you."
"Yes," plead little Faith, "I will go and call him, and he will come and heal our Hope."
Soul looked sadly down upon the frail form of her daughter Faith, and when Doubt saw it, he called out: "Faith is a foolish child. She is unable for such a far journey. And should she succeed in reaching the house of the Physician, he would not answer her feeble call."
When Soul heard Doubt's stout words against this proposal, she hid her eyes in deepest sorrow, blind to the fact that this delicate child, Faith, was perishing for the want of exercise, and that should she hasten to the Great Healer, both she and her sister Hope would be saved from fast approaching death.
But while Soul groaned and caressed Doubt, who followed her about professing much sympathy for her in her affliction, Hope yielded up the ghost, and then the bereaved mother paced back and forth through the chamber of death like one mad, crying out in her anguish: "O, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
And Life, the strong man of the house, grew weary of the bitter sound of mourning, and threatened to abandon Soul, leaving her to perish in the little cottage of clay. This brought additional distress to the grief-stricken Soul, and turning to him with eyes aflame with madness, she wildly exclaimed: "Thou art panting for thy freedom. When I am in trouble, thou dost only give me pain. I care no longer for thee, and I will even assist thee in thy departure."
And she began to instruct her servants accordingly. But sweet Charity, who was weeping near, lifted up her gentle voice and said: "Mother be not rash. Life has given thee much pleasure also. Remember that he is a gift from our Creator, and let us use him well while he tarries with us."
These timely words from Charity caused Soul to relent, and she began to plead with Life to remain a little longer. "For," said she, "I know not what shall become of me after thou hast gone. I have made no arrangements for the future. I know not mine end." And reaching out her trembling hands, she cried: "Stay, Life, stay, for I love thee well."
In the midst of this distressing confusion a gentle tap was heard at the door of the troubled chamber. And when Charity had opened the door, she beheld the Great Physician standing before her, and in a still small voice he asked admittance. She invited him in, but before he had time to enter, Doubt saw him, and flying forward, tried to shut the door in his face, at the same time exclaiming: "It is of no use, Hope is dead. He is too late."
This struggle at the door aroused the bereaved Soul from her overwhelming sorrow, and in trembling tones she inquired: "What means this strange commotion, my children?"
To which Faith replied: "The Great Physician has come, and tho he is late, please let him in, for it may be that he is able to heal our sorrow."
At this Doubt pushed rudely at the door, saying: "He can do nothing, send him away."
But Charity and reviving Faith cried out: "O mother, this Physician is our Saviour. Let us open wide unto him, giving him an abundant entrance, and ask him to cast out this cruel Doubt; for he has for a long time deprived us of many precious blessings."
And at their request the Great Physician was bidden to enter, and the villainous Doubt was locked outside.
And when Soul saw what had been done, she fell upon her face, and said: "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof. For when all beneath were strong and living in health, I refused to allow thee to come in and take up thine abode with me. For I was afraid that thou wouldst restrict the liberty of my household. And tho thou didst warn me that in thee was my only safety, I gave thee no heed; for I believed myself capable of properly caring for my house and family. But I foolishly turned the minds of my daughters to worldly pleasures, and in these we sought happiness. And while I let treacherous Pride entertain me, my house was almost wrecked and my children were but illy cared for, until I found my Hope had fallen sick; and alas! her sickness was unto death. And in my great affliction, Life threatened to desert me, and I became desperately wicked because of my lost Hope, and called to my servants to cast out Life, even before his time. But Charity graciously interposed in his behalf. O, that forgiveness was mine, before I perish in my sins!"
At Soul's lament Faith grew pale and faint; but continued to look upward with earnest pleading eyes to the face of him, their Lord and Saviour, who had come to their dwelling. And he, looking down with pity upon the prostrate, weeping form before him, said: "Poor Soul, thou hast bitterly repented of all thy folly, and humbly confessed all thy sins, and why shouldst thou die? I have tasted death for thee. Forgiveness is thine. Come unto me, and I will give you rest."
And she said unto him: "Lord, I can not even so much as raise mine eyes to thee, for my Hope is dead, and without her I can see nothing good."
But he said unto her: "Peace be unto this house. I will give thee back thy Hope. Take hold of the hand of thy daughter Faith, and she shall cling to my arm, and in this way thou shalt rise to thy feet."
And when Faith felt Soul feebly holding to her hand, she waxed stronger, and said: "Courage, mother, all things are possible through him, even to the raising up of those who are dead."
And Soul, when she had heard these words, exclaimed: "Lord, I believe!" And he, taking the icy hand of the dead Hope in his, said unto her: "Hope, awake, and in thy beauty and strength arise!"
And straightway she opened her eyes, and when she saw the strong, lovely face of her Redeemer, she arose with a heavenly smile, and ministered unto all that were in the house. And when her mother and sisters beheld this marvelous scene, they with one accord embraced her and worshiped the Mighty Healer, weeping aloud for joy and shouting praises, saying: "This day have our eyes seen thy salvation in our own house. Now know we that thou art the great Giver of every good and perfect gift; and to thee belongs all thanksgiving and praise forevermore." And Life himself leaped for very joy, and caused the house to shake because of his dancing.
When Doubt, who was standing outside, heard the rejoicing, he turned away, saying: "It is of no use to try to get in now; but after a while, when the noise ceases, I will come back and try the door again."
And Soul, kneeling at her Saviour's feet, spake thus unto him: "I perceive that thou art from a brighter world than this, for the light of thy presence has caused my humble dwelling to become as polished silver within, even as the house of a king's daughter. And now tarry with me I pray, and tell me of that wonderful land and its inhabitants, for I am weary of this dark world and its uncertainties."
And he answered her: "The dwellers of that glorious country are pure and immortal, keepers of my Father's law, even as I am. I and my Father are one, and whosoever shall learn to keep this law, shall be made like unto us, and shall be able to enter in through the gates into the city beyond the clouds."
And Soul made this request: "Engrave this law upon my walls in letters of burnished gold, that I may never forget thy requirements, for I would be like thee."
And when he had granted her request, she looked, and said: "Behold, thy law giveth light and liberty, and that others may see thy mercy and goodness, I will stand aside and let Charity remove the window-blinds, that thy light may shine abroad and save other poor souls from ruin."
And when Charity had done this, she appeared exceedingly lovely, and the Prince of Peace looked upon the three daughters, and turning to Soul, he said: "And now abideth Faith, Hope and Charity, but the greatest of these is Charity. For she suffereth long and is kind; is not puffed up, and never faileth. Therefore follow after her and desire spiritual things."
And Soul continued to study the law of him who had become her Lord and Master, and obedience to this law became her delight. And accordingly she brought all her servants11into subjection to its requirements. Life was contented to remain, and gladly gave his support. Doubt sometimes returned, but his pressing at the door for admittance was in vain, for the same power that cast him out, was there to resist all his efforts to enter again.
Many years have passed into the cold unrelenting arms of Time since the resurrection of Hope; but the old house stands yet; and tho its walls are shriveled and the roof storm-beaten and gray, there still comes forth from it the sound of Soul's voice singing in soft, quavering tones sweet melodies of hope and faithful love. And while wintry blasts are blowing hard and dark clouds shut out the moon, bright steady streams of light issue forth from the windows of the dear old cottage, guiding benighted travelers in the way that leads to the realms of the immortal.
