Swedish. THE CHILDREN OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. FROM THE SWEDISH OF BISHOP TEGNÉR. PENTECOST, day of rejoicing, had come. The church of the village Gleaming stood in the morning's sheen. On the spire of the belfry, Tipped with a vane of metal, the friendly flames of the spring sun Glanced like the tongues of fire beheld by apostles aforetime. Clear was the heaven and blue, and May, with her cap crowned with roses, Stood in her holiday dress in the fields, and the wind and the brooklet Murmured gladness and peace, God's peace! with lips rosytinted Whispered the race of the flowers, and merry on balancing branches Birds were singing their carol, a jubliant hymn to the Highest Swept and clean was the churchyard. Adorned like a leafwoven arbour Stood its old-fashioned gate; and within upon each cross of iron Hung was a fragrant garland, new twined by the hands of affection. Even the dial that stood on a hillock among the departed, (There full a hundred years had it stood), was embellished with blossoms. Like to the patriarch hoary, the sage of his kith and the hamlet, Who on his birthday is crowned by children and children's children; So stood the ancient prophet, and mute with his pencil of iron Marked on the tablet of stone, and measured the time and its changes, While all around at his feet an eternity slumbered in quiet. Also the church within was adorned, for this was the season When the young, their parents' hope, and the loved ones of heaven, Should at the foot of the altar renew the vows of their baptism. Therefore each nook and corner was swept and cleaned, and Blo There Sav Grew the dust was from the walls and ceiling, and from the oil-painted benches. stood the church like a garden; the Feast of the Leafy Pavilions e in living presentment. From noble-arms on the churchwall forth a cluster of leaves, and the preacher's pulpit of oak-wood Budded once more anew, as aforetime the rod before Aaron. Wreathed thereon was the Bible with leaves, and the dove, washed with silver, Under But in Crep t its canopy fastened, had on it a necklace of windflowers. front of the choir, round the altar-piece painted by Horberg, garland gigantic; and bright curling tresses of angels Peeped, like the sun from a cloud, from out of the shadowy leaf-work. Like wise the lustre of brass, new-polished, blinked from the ceiling, And for lights there were lilies of Pentecost set in the sockets. Loud rang the bells already; the thronging crowd was assembled Far from valleys and hills, to list to the holy preaching. Hark! then roll forth at once the mighty tones from the Like organ, Hover like voices from God, aloft like invisible spirits. Elias in heaven, when he cast off from him his mantle, as Even so cast off the soul its garments of earth; and with one voice Chimed in the congregation, and sang an anthem immortal Of the sublime Wallin, of David's harp in the Northland to the choral of Luther; the song on its powerful pinions Tuned Took every living soul, and lifted it gently to heaven, every face did shine like the Holy One's face upon Tabor. And Lo! there entered then into the church the reverend Teacher. Father he hight and he was in the parish; a Christianly plainness Clothed from his head to his feet the old man of seventy winters. Friendly was he to behold, and glad as the heralding angel Walked he among the crowds, but still a contemplative grandeur Lay on his forehead as clear as on moss-covered grave-stone a sunbeam. As in his inspiration (an evening twilight that faintly Gleams in the human soul, even now, from the day of creation) Th' artist, the friend of heaven, imagines Saint John when in Patmos, Gray, with his eyes uplifted to heaven, so seemed then the old man ; Such was the glance of his eye, and such were his tresses of silver. All the congregation arose in the pews that were numbered. But with a cordial look, to the right and the left hand, the old man Nodding all-hail and peace, disappeared in the innermost chancel. Simply and solemnly now proceeded the Christian service, Singing and prayer, and at last an ardent discourse from the old man. Many a moving word and warning, that out of the heart came, Fell like the dew of the morning, like manna on those in the desert. Afterwards, when all was finished, the Teacher re-entered the chancel, Followed therein by the young. On the right hand the boys had their places, Delicate figures, with close-curling hair, and cheeks rosyblooming. But on the left hand of these there stood the tremulous lilies, Tinged with the blushing light of the morning, the diffident maidens Folding their hands in prayer, and their eyes cast down on the pavement. Now came, with question and answer, the Catechism. In the beginning Answered the children with troubled and faltering voice; but the old man's Glances of kindness encouraged them soon, and the doctrines eternal Flowed, like the waters of fountains, so clear from lips un polluted. Whene'er the answer was closed, and as oft as they named the Redeemer, Lowly louted the boys, and lowly the maidens all curtsied. Friendly the Teacher stood, like an angel of light, there among them, And to the children explained he the holy, the highest, in few words, Thorough, yet simple and clear, for sublimity always is simple, Both in sermon and song, a child can seize on its meaning. Even as the green growing bud is unfolded when spring-tide approaches, Leaf by leaf is developed, and, warmed by the radiant sunshine, Blushes with purple and gold, till at last the perfected blossom Opens its odorous chalice, and rocks with its crown in the breezes, So was unfolded here the Christian lore of salvation, mothers The fathers and Stood behind them in tears, and were glad at each well worded answer. Now went the old man up to the altar;-and straightway transfigured (So did it seem unto me) was then the affectionate Teacher. Like the Lord's prophet sublime, and awful as death and as judgment Stood he, the God-commissioned, the soul-searcher, earthward descending, Glances, sharp as a sword, into hearts, that to him were transparent, Shot he; his voice was deep, was low like the thunder afar off. So on a sudden transfigured he stood there, he spake and he questioned. "This is the faith of the fathers, the faith the apostles delivered, This is moreover the faith whereunto I baptized you, while still ye Lay on your mothers' breasts, and nearer the portals of heaven. Slumbering received you then the holy Church in its bosom ; Wakened from sleep are ye now, and the light in its radiant splendour Rains from the heaven downward;-to-day on the threshold of childhood Kindly she frees you again, to examine and make your election, For she knows nought of compulsion, and only conviction desireth. This is the hour of your trial, the turning-point of existence, answer! Think not, oh, think not, with guile to deceive the questioning Teacher. Sharp is his eye to-day, and a curse ever rests upon falsehood. Enter not with a lie on life's journey; the multitude hears you. Brothers and sisters and parents, what dear upon earth is and holy Standeth before your sight as a witness; the Judge everlasting Looks from the sun down upon you, and angels in waiting beside him Grave your confession in letters of fire upon tablets eternal. Thus then,-Believe ye in God, in the Father who this world created? Him who redeemed it, the Son, and the Spirit where both are united! Will ye promise me here (a holy promise!) to cherish suffer, and to Be what it may your condition, and walk before God in up rightness? Will ye promise me this before God and man?"—With a cleat voice Answered the young men, Yes! and Yes! with lips softly breathing Answered the maidens eke. Then dissolved from the brow of the Teacher Clouds with the thunders therein, and he spake in accents more gentle, Soft as the evening's breath, as harps by Babylon's rivers. 'Hail, then, hail to you all! To the heirdom of heaven be ye welcome! Children no more from this day, but by covenant brothers and sisters! |