CHAPTER X. DAVID. "I RESOLVED at once," continued Lucifer, "to try my success in some more distant province of the wide creation. But first I thought it prudent to explore more carefully the region where I now was, and ascertain definitely whether missionaries from the new Jerusalem above, actually occupied every portion of this great field. “There was a splendid globe rolling in its bright orbit, as near to me as the planet Jupiter is to the earth. Thither I directed my way. On approaching it, the first object that caught my eye was a great assembly of the population, evidently in the attitude of receiving public instruction. The discourse, however, was closed, and they were now attending to a song of sacred praise. When the music began to float around me, its tones, though transcendently sweet, had something of familiarity, at which I was greatly surprised. I had certainly heard that strain before. Another moment, and I could identify the air of one of the songs of Zion, often sung in the sanctuary of ancient Israel. The theme was Incarnate Divinity and Redeeming Love. A single voice, which I afterwards found was that of one of the redeemed, sung the body of each stanza alone; and then the ten thousand voices of the multitude around would unite to swell the chorus. The words are imprinted upon my memory as with a burning brand, and run thus: SONG OF A REDEEMED SOUL. I. "How sweet to tell, through heavenly worlds, How sweet to sing Messiah's name, Chorus. And has Immanuel gone to earth, The song of grace, forever new— And knees shall bow, and tongues confess Chorus. And has Immanuel gone to earth, And grace divine unfurled? Wonder and praise, ye heaven of heavens, IV. "To Abram first, in early days, The precious word was given, And tell what God has done for man In yon dark world below. Chorus. And has Immanuel gone to earth, And grace divine unfurled? Wonder and praise, ye heaven of heavens, "But who was this before me, leading in this anthem of lofty praise? Will you believe me? It was David, the Psalmist of Israel, with his 'harp of solemn sound.' The music ceased, and the congregation was dismissed. The discourse I had not heard, my arrival being too late; but from the beaming eyes, the animated countenance, the eager conversation of the groups that now clustered together and spoke of what they heard, it was plain that they had not only been interested, but that their spirits had been rapt in transports of the sublimest ecstasy. "In the mean time, David was walking over a field of living green, arm in arm with one with whom he appeared to be on terms of the most established and intimate friendship. They were not in the act of leaving the place, but, after the public services of the day, were taking delightful recreation, walking back and forth among such flowers as bloom where sin and death have never entered. Their deportment exhibited such warm and extraordinary cordiality, that my curiosity was roused. Who can that be, that the glorified King of Israel dignifies with such peculiar marks of fondness and intimacy? They were now approaching the place where I stood, when, lo! the form of Jonathan, David's early friend, was before me. Ah! thought I, have you been sent out, 'two and two,' as Christ sent out the disciples of old? I was now anxious to learn the subject of their earnest conversation. I soon found it was the strong and mutual attachment formed in their early days when on earth. "Jonathan,' said David, 'let us bless the name of God our Redeemer for this rich ingredient in the cup of our salvation, that the friendship formed on earth, amidst the fretful and feverish agitations of that troubled world, can be revived and perpetuated forever in this immortal state.' "I ascribe it all,' said Jonathan, 'to the good providence of God. But when I saw you take your life in your hand and go forth against that gigantic Philistine, who, day after day, had insulted and defied the armies of Israel; when I saw you prevail against him, and vindicate the honor of Israel and of Israel's God, the attachment formed for you at that hour in my heart, was lasting as life, and strong as the tie that binds soul and body together.' "I knew it, Jonathan, I knew it. Long and severe ly were the fidelity and firmness of your friendship tried, during the dark and troubled periods of my earthly history. And O, when I heard you had fallen on Mount Gilboa, how bitterly I wept! The remembrance of all your kindness came over me with tenfold strength beyond what I had realized while you were living. I wondered I had not seen it in that overwhelming light before. I felt that I had lost a friend that could never be replaced on earth; I felt as though a part of myself had gone into the grave.' ""I was conscious of it, David, I was conscious of it. And that beautiful ode that you composed and sung to my memory, gave me much delight. But there was no token of your friendship, after I was taken from earth, that made half so much impression, as when, after you were confirmed in your kingdom, and had become prosperous and great, amid the nobility, the statesmen, the courtiers and flatterers that swarmed in your capital and around your palace, you still retained the remembrance of your early friend, and searched for and found my poor orphan boy, Mephibosheth, when he was in exile beyond Jordan, afraid of your power. You had him brought to Jerusalem, and when he came trembling into your presence, apprehensive for his life, you said, “Fear not, Mephibosheth; I will restore to thee all the land that was thy father's; thou shalt eat bread at my table continually, as one of the king's sons, for I will surely show thee kindness for thy father Jonathan's sake." I assure you, David, this conduct on your part gave a new impulse to the joy of my ransomed soul in the Paradise of God.' "I much regretted,' said David, 'that it was so long |