Allegories of Life

BY MRS. J. S. ADAMS

1872

CONTENTS.

 

 I.--THE BELLS. II.--THE HEIGHT III.--THE PILGRIM IV.--FAITH V.--HOPE VI.--JOY AND SORROW VII.--UPWARD VIII.--THE OAK IX.--TRUTH AND ERROR X.--THE TREE XI.--THE TWO WAYS XII.--THE URNS XIII.--SELF-EXERTION XIV.--THE VINES XV.--IN THE WORLD XVI.--FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY XVII.--GOING FORTH XVIII.--THE FEAST XIX.--THE LESSON OF THE STONE XX.--THE SEEDS XXI.--ONLY GOLD XXII.--THE SACRIFICE XXIII.--STRANGERS 

 

I.

THE BELLS.

In the steeple of an old church was a beautiful chime of bells, which for many years had rung out joyous peals at the touch of the sexton's hand upon the rope.

"I'll make the air full of music to-morrow," said the white-haired man, as he lay down to his slumbers. "To-morrow is Christmas, and the people shall be glad and gay. Ah, yes! right merry will be the chimes I shall ring them." Soon sleep gathered him in a close embrace, and visions of the morrow's joy flitted over his brain.

At midnight some dark clouds swept over the tower, while darker shadows of discontent fell on the peaceful chime.

Hark! what was that? A low, discordant sound was heard among the bells.

"Here we have been ringing for seven long years," murmured the highest bell in the chime.

"Well, what of it? That's what we are placed here for," said a voice from one of the deeper-toned bells.

"But I have rung long enough. Besides, I am weary of always singing one tone," answered the high bell, in a clear, sharp voice.

"Together we make sweetest harmony," returned the bell next the complainer.

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