Reflections at Sea

FRAGMENT TRUTHS THROUGH NORTHERN MISTS. 691 There are only three classes of criminals who shall never be redeemed from those incomprehensible tortures; those committing murder, whoredom, and perjury. According to their belief the heavens were divided into three glorious apartments. The highest is for the married people, where All-Father is the chief ruler. The other two places are for the good and virtuous of both sexes separate. In the last strug- gle, when the heavens and the earth, and all the heavenly lights are destroyed, the All-Father shall command the hosts of heaven against the hosts of destruction, who are com- manded by the serpent, the wolf, and the deceiver. Then there shall come a new heaven, and new earth; when the gods shall gather on the plains where the city of the gods is, where they shall find in the grass the golden plates, on which the record is engraven. Then the new city shall be built, and the married people shall have offspring and replenish the earth. There shall be nine apartments, three in the heaven, three in the earth, and three below the earth. This is a brief outline of the belief of the ancient North- men in the days of so-called heathendom. PROVIDENCE. Just as a mother with sweet pious face, Yearns towards her little children from her seat, Gives one a kiss, and another an embrace, Takes this upon her knees, that on her feet, And while from actions, looks, complaints, pretences, She learns their feelings and their various will. To this a look, to that a word dispenses, And whether stern or smiling, loves them still; — So Providence for us high, infinite, Makes our necessities its watchful task, Hearkens to all our prayers, helps all our wants, And ev'n if it denies what seems our right, Either denies because 'twould have us ask, Or seems but to deny, or, in denying, grants. Leigh Hunt.