in
eternity, as I did at that time. At the time she died--men call it
dying, but it is only the birth into another life--at that time, my vow
forbade me to stand by her death-bed; it cost me hardly a struggle, for
whether my parents are still out there in the world, or above there in
heaven, it makes no difference to us. Look, the water is now tinged
with the glow of evening, and people outside, on the hills and on the
banks, are speaking in raptures of nature, that new idol which they
have set up, for they are the children of nature; but we are to be the
children of God, before whose sight all nature seems only a void, under
whatever color it may appear, whether clothed in green, or white with
snow."

"I believe, I comprehend that," Manna said assentingly.

"That is why I say it to you," continued the worthy mother. "It is a
great thing to overcome the world, to thrust it from one's self, and
never to long for it a single instant, and to receive in exchange the
eternal blessedness, even while we dwell here in the body. Yes, my
child," she laid both hands upon the head of Manna, and continued, "I
would like to give you strength, my strength--no, not mine, that which
God has lent me Thou art to struggle hard and bravely with the world,
thou art to be tried and sifted, before thou comest to us forever, to
the fore-court of the Kingdom of Heaven."

Manna had closed her eyes, and in her soul was the one only wish, that
now the earth might open and swallow her up, or that some supernatural
power would come and lift her up over all. When she opened her eyes,
and saw the marvellous splendor of the sunset sky, the violet haze of
the mountains, and the river glowing in the red beams of evening, she
shut her eyes again, and made a repellant movement with her hand, as if
she would have said,--I will have nothing of thee; thou shalt be naught
to me; thou art only a doll, a lifeless thing, on which we waste our
love.

With trembling voice Manna mourned over her rent and tempest-tossed
spirit; a few days before, she had sung and spoken the message of the
heralding angels, while dark demons were raging within her. She had
spent the whole day in prayer, that she might be worthy to announce
such a message, and then in the twilight a man had appeared before her,
and her eye had rested on him with pleasure; it was the tempter who had
approached her, and the figure had followed her into her dreams. She
had risen at midnight, and wept