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The Guardian.

VOL. XV.---JANUARY 1864.--- No. 1.

A NEW YEAR VISION!

BY THE EDITOR.

In a dream-or in a vision-I met two youth walking together on a journey-as it were the journey of life. They had each been travelling some eighteen or twenty years; and though their course had led them by different ways, and their experiences had been very varied, yet they were travelling together when I happened to meet them.

In the place where they now were, there was a way-mark, as it were a milestone. They walked up to it, and began to read the inscriptions that were on it, and to interpret its various symbolic representations-for it was covered with all kinds of mysterious devices. There was an hour-glass just running out-there was the man with the seythe-below the skull and cross-bones; and I saw also a dial, a chronometer, an almanac, and a clock face, with hour and minute hands pointing to twelve! Most solemn of all was the picture of an angel on a burning world, blowing a trumpet! Prominent on this memorial stone I saw in large bold figures

1864.

After the youth bad for a time contemplated this memorial, they withdrew in silence into a kind of tarrying place or rest for travellers. It was a kind of tabernacle, with a coarse outward appearance. Inside were open grates with blazing fires on them, which were very pleasant; for it was cold. Here were many other travellers, some sad, some cheerful, and some indifferent-some laughing, some singing, some talking, some playing. In short, almost everything that is seen in the world outside, seemed to be going on in this tarrying place. It seemed like a miniature picture of the world.

Having become interested in the two youth, I kept near them to notice their actions and hear their words. I began to notice now what I had not noticed before, that there was a great difference between them. As they sat and looked meditatively into the blazing hearth, I saw that the one, though meditative and very thoughtful, had an air of calm cheerfulness on his countenance. The face of the other was dark and lowering, and every movement of his features seemed the index of a troubled spirit. The more I studied them, the more was I impressed with the contrast between them. The countenance of the one seemed like a vision of warbling children around a cheerful parlor fire, when the storm of winter is roaring without-the very dreariness of the tumult around serving only to make the undisturbed inside more easy and cheerful. The face of the other made one think of a world without a sun-a night without a moon-a grave without the light of immortality beyond! After a long, but very expressive silence, the two youth began a conversation between them. I found that this related to the Past of their journey; and that I might learn to know them better, I was intent to hear.

"To me," said the one on whose countenance I had noticed the features of gloom-"to me the Past of my journey is all dark-not only vanity, but also vexation of spirit. I have been steadily driving in pursuit of pleasure; and in so doing, have passed, it is true, through some scenes which seemed flowery at the time, but when I now look back upon them the flowers are faded, and only the thorns remain! They prick the very vitals of my being! Scarcely anything I have done or experienced on the way is pleasant to my memory now. I now feel to be true what I once read in an old book, that those who live in pleasure are dead while they live, and that childhood and youth are vanity. I hate the Past-almost wish that a curse might fall upon it--but this is not necessary; for a curse rests upon it already!

And my soul from out its shadow

Shall be lifted nevermore!"

I watched the other youth to see what effect these sad words might produce upon him. It seemed as if they were a mystery to him. He could not understand how one so young could look back with such gloomy feelings on the bright scenes through which his youthful journey had led him.

"My experiences," he said, "have been quite different from yours; and my feelings in reviewing them are most pleasant. Passing sweet to me is the memory of the winters and summers, the springs and autumns, through which my youthful pathway has lain. A thousand blessings from God, and a thousand favors from men, have cheered every inch of the way. Besides, it has been granted me to do many little good acts by the way, on which I now look back with infinite delight. Memory, in its backward track, finds many green and flowery spots upon which to light, and among which to linger. As the warm, bright glow of this cheerful hearth

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