e earth, so
are His ways than our ways." But shall we try to find out a reason why
God let these things be for little Nan's sake?'

'Yes,' said Stephen, turning away his eyes from her face.

'Our Lord Jesus Christ had one disciple, called John, whom He loved more
than the rest; and before John died he was permitted to see heaven, and
to write down many of the things shown to him, that we also might know of
them. He beheld a holy city, whose builder and maker is God, and having
the glory of God. It was built, as it were, of pure gold, and the walls
were of all manner of precious stones; the gates of the city were of
pearl, and the streets of gold, as clear and transparent as glass. There
was no need of the sun nor of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of
God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. He saw, too, the
throne of God, and above it there was a rainbow of emerald, which was a
sign of His covenant with the people upon earth. And round about the
throne, nearer than the angels, there were seats, upon which men who had
been ransomed from this world of sin and sorrow were sitting in white
robes, and with crowns upon their heads. There came a pure river of water
of life out of the throne, and on each side of the river, in the streets
of the city, there was a tree of life, the leaves of which are for the
healing of all nations. Before the throne stood a great multitude, which
no man could number, clothed in white robes, and with palms in their
hands. And as John listened, he heard a sound like the voice of many
waters; then, as it became clearer, it seemed like the voice of a great
thunder; but at last it rang down into his opened ears as the voice of
many harpers, singing a new song with their harps. And he heard a great
voice out of heaven, proclaiming the covenant of God with men: "Behold,
the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they
shall be His people; and God Himself shall be with them, and be their
God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall
be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any
more pain." The disciple whom Jesus loved saw many other things which he
was commanded to seal up; but these things were written for our comfort.'

'And little Nan is there,' murmured Stephen, as the tears rolled down his
cheeks.

'Our Lord says of little children, "I say unto you, That in heaven their
angels do always behold the