S45 UfE^ rtr st^ifMfiti. 



And the tmy insects hum, the song of the feathered minstrels, 

 man's hymn of praise and adoration, and the music of the 

 heavenly spheres, are not separate and discordant sounds, but 

 one harmonious anthem, or, as Longfellow expresses it: 



"And the poet, faithful and far-seeing, 

 Sees, alilcc iu stars and flowers, a part 

 Of the self-same universal being 



Which is throbbing in his brain and heart." 



And still musing, wondering, watchful and appalled, we hope- 

 fully waited until we should see a blue banner unfurled above the 

 southern horizon glorified and emblazoned with the gleaming 

 and quenchless light of its cross of stars. NOr did we long wait 

 in vain, for one star after another emerged from behind its cur- 

 tain of vapor, occasionally again disajipearing, until at last we 

 had tlie great gratification of seeing, clear and indisputable, 

 gleaming at that still midnight hour, above the earth's great 

 central encircling line, from the unfathomable depths of space, 

 that heavenly sign and symbol of the religion of the most ad- 

 vanced civilization of modern times — "The SorTHERisr Cross." 

 Eeaching at last the meridian, it was fully and completely re- 

 vealed in all its fair jiroportions, a beautiful cross of stars! 



Soon afterwards we retraced our steps, entered the darkness 

 and gloom of the attic of the Eoyal Victoria Hotel, descending 

 long staircases, and traverse'd seemingly interminable corridors, 

 but the mind was luminous and buoyant, for it still glowed with 

 the light of that starry cross in the sky. Thus, amid the doubt, 

 darkness and gloom of the world, may the Christian Cross "tow- 

 ering above the mists of time," as a true and faithful type of a 

 higher life in this world, and a happier life in the world " over 

 the river," ever cheer, elevate and inspire with a faith that never 

 wavers and a hope that is ever steadfast and enduring. 



