SOUNDINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2860, 6 January 1909, Page 13

SOUNDINGS.

-«> " Little we know of the hoary Se» Till the Men of Lead sad Lina Bolre u« a tithe of it* mystery, shew Strange gleams of the limitless life belnr With their soundings : here be mini." GOD-GIFT. A voice said "Come!" Swift at the word I went, Not even wasting wonder at its call ; And evermore a marvellous content, Gathering stilly, brooded over all. Earth sank, became a misty thing, and lo ! Sudden was not ; and with its passing I, Reft atteriy of foothold, at the blow 5 Swooned in the outstretcht spaces of the j Sky. i And when. I woke again . . . how can I tell? . . . A little nook in. Heaven, say, filled with mirth ; So homely-happy, modest-pure, I fell To pondering how Heaven were co like Earth. And round me 6oftly, musically, came And went five ladiant spirits; and I knew, In some strange, more than earthly way, the flame That burned in their hearts burned in my heart too : I— l, the Earth-Soul, wandering afar Across the spaces into that fair clime, Thrilled yet to the same music, bar for bar, As they whose whole life answered to its chime. How Jong it lasted, that sweet Day of Grace, I know not, care not ; for, though I returned Back thro' the epaces, back to mine own place, Mine Earth, 'neath its grey mists far-off discerned, Somehow I seem to have brought o'er the abyss The rhythms learned in that abode of Peace ; Earth hath new glory; that life leans to this, And all is miracle. Nor shall it cease. Mabstas.

A very convenient innovation was introduced by the Railway Department, assisted by the Union Company, on the Wellington •wharf during the heavy passenger rush on Thursday night. Railway tickets were iesued for the run from Ljtteltcn to Christchurch t>v two railway clerks located in one of the Union Company's ticket-boxes in proximity to the steamer Maori. About 350 travellers took achantage of the opportunity, and paved a scramble for tickets at Lyttelton.