84 THE WHITE ROSE. 



muslin, confined here and there with bows of 

 white satin ribbond, while a dress of the same ma- 

 terials enfolded the corpse : his little cap just sha- 

 ding the soft bright locks that alone varied the 

 snow-like appearance of the whole object, until 

 the last finish was given to the careful arrange- 

 ment, by disposing small bunches of delicate 

 flowers, and young green leaves upon the pillow, 

 the coverlet, and the surrounding drapery. The 

 child was very beautiful when living; in death, 

 surpassingly so. If real grandeur is any where 

 on earth to be found, it dwells on the broad open 

 brow of infantine beauty, ere the conciousness of 

 wilful sin has marred its native majesty. Often 

 have I quailed before the steadfast gaze of a very 

 young child ; almost forgetting that the little crea- 

 ture, who looked so bold in comparative innocence, 

 was already a condemned sinner : — that, though 

 of such is the kingdom of heaven, it is only by 

 the atoning blood of the cross that a being so 

 polluted can enter there. But infancy in death — 

 infancy snatched from an evil world, ere the taint 

 can overspread its unfolding mind — infancy re- 

 deemed, and rescued, and exalted to behold always 

 the face of God in heaven — is indeed a glorious 

 spectacle. Where is the Christian parent, whose 

 bitterest tears have been unmixed with the sweet 

 ness of assured hope, when contemplating the be- 

 reavment of a babe, not lost, but gone before ? — 



