A VISION, 71

its full details. Yes! even more vividly than
under the almond-trees, pressed upon me the sense
of my unworthiness as a human being born
to an immortal destiny, gifted with immortal
capabilities; and then for a moment or two of
excited thought, which at the time seemed an
age in duration, I suffered, as I suppose those
suffer, who, in the first moment of disembodiment,
discover they have lost their own souls, whether
or no they have gained the whole world.

It was a terrible fancy; and I shrank lower and
lower as it pressed on me—when, all at once, a
yoice broke on my ear, and rang along the length
of the church—loud, distinct, intelligible—

“When the wicked man turneth away from the
wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth
that which is lawful and right, he shall save his
soul alive.”

In an instant I had sprung to my feet and
opened my Prayer-book—and there, in black and
white, stood the blessed words before my eyes.

“When the wicked man” (and no limit as to
time. It might be earlier or it might be later, so