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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, whichfor many years had rung out joyous peals at the touch of the sexton'shand 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 peopleshall be glad and gay. Ah, yes! right merry will be the chimes I shallring them." Soon sleep gathered him in a close embrace, and visions ofthe morrow's joy flitted over his brain.

At midnight some dark clouds swept over the tower, while darker shadowsof 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 highestbell in the chime.

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

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

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

"I well know that, but I am tired of my one tone, while you can bearmonotony. For my part, I do not mean to answer to the call of the ropeto-morrow."

"What! not ring on Christmas Day!" exclaimed all the bells together.

"No, I don't. You may exclaim as much as you please; but, if youhad common sympathy, you would see in a moment how weary I am ofsinging this one high tone."

"But we all have to give our notes," responded a low, sweet-voiced bell.