When I was but a little boy,
In long gone days of yore,
Two old contemporary trees
Grew close beside our door.

We named the locust " Father, " for
High rose his towering head,
And his far-reaching branches wide
Their grateful shadow spread.

Close in his side a mulberry-tree,
We children called it " Mother, "
Seemed with her broad-leaf'd foliage
Embosomed in the other.

In Winter's storm, in summer's shine,
Still side by side they stood;
" Father " and " Mother " we loved best
Of all the good green wood.

And under their protecting shade
We played in sunny weather;
While over us, like loving arms,
They twined their boughs together.

One night I laid me down to sleep,
And in my dreams I saw
A wondrous sight, that thrilled my soul
With fond religious awe.

Under those loved old trees methought,
And in their double shade,
I saw a lofty wall run round,
Of solid silver made.

High rose its purfled pinnacles
Of bright and burnished sheen,
Until they hid their shining heads
Among the mingled green.

Upon the eastern side, a gate
Of fretted gold was placed,
And studded thick with precious stones
That in the sunbeams blazed:

The diamond bright, the sapphire blue,
The emerald so green,
The ruby red, the onyx stone,
And topaz there were seen.

And when this sparkling splendor shone
Before my wondering eyes,
I thought 'twas New Jerusalem
Descended from the skies.

Long time I gazed, then kneeling down
Upon the grass-grown floor,
As when I said my evening prayer
I knocked upon the door.

Straightway it opened; and I saw
A Man before me stand,
Who spoke to me with kindly voice,
And took me by the hand.

His eyes were like my Mother's eyes,
His voice like Father's seemed;
'Twas J ESUS ! for around His head
A radiant glory beamed.

He took me in His gracious arms,
And I sat on His knee;
Sure even a soul in Paradise
Never more blest could be.

And there the twelve Apostles were,
A venerable band:
Four listening stood before their Lord,
And four on either hand.

He told me that the Saints around
His F ATHER'S throne on high
Once lived upon our earth, and once
Were children such as I.

And when He blessed me, as I sat
Upon His sacred knees,
I heard sweet sounds above my head,
Among the broad green leaves.

'Twas not the little birds, I knew,
That in the branches sang;
But golden harps, with angel-tongues,
In joyous concert rang.

And " Alleluia " loud they sung,
As they sang long ago;
And " Glory be to God on high,
Good-will to men below! "

Brothers and sisters all, outside,
Invited me to play;
Father and Mother called to me,
And chid my long delay.

I answered not: for God had touched
My heart with holy fire;
How could I leave my J ESUS ' arms,
Or that angelic choir?

And listening to the symphonies
Of their entrancing theme,
I sank to sleep: and when I woke,
Behold! it was a dream.

A dream! Oh 'twas a blessed dream
I never can forget!
And though long years have o'er me roll'd
Its echoes haunt me yet.

When life's sad labors all are o'er,
And I lie down to rest;
Oh let me fall asleep at last,
Asleep on J ESUS ' breast!

There let me rest — to J ESUS ' breast
By guardian spirits borne;
Till loud the angel-trump shall wake
The Resurrection morn.

Then shall I join the marriage train,
With boughs of victor-palm,
And sing the everlasting song
Of M OSES and the L AMB .