246 ISLES OF SUMMER. 
And the tiny 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 poct, faithful and far-seeing, 
Sees, alike in 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 disappearing, until at last we 
had the 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—‘‘ Tur SOUTHERN Cross.” 
Reaching at last the meridian, it was fully and completely re- 
vealed in all its fair proportions, a beautiful cross or stars! 
_ Soon afterwards we retraced our steps, entered the darkness 
and gloom of the attic of the Royal Victoria Hotel, descending 
long staircases, and traversed 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. ; 
