1. The Ineffable Angels 2. Angel Like He Sings 3. Angel Guardians 4. Angels Long to See 5. An Angel Chanting 6. Joan of Arc Saw Visions 7. Celestial Voices 8. Looked Lovingly on Me 9. Socrates Had and Angel 10. God or Angel Guest 11. Angels Recognize 12. "Angel Names I do not Ken." 13. Peace Crowned Angels 14. White Wings in Snowy Flight 15. Bowers of Paradise 16. The Angel Vision 17. Something of an Angel Light 18. Eyes Within 19. His Deeds His Angels Are 20. Shutting of Angel's Hands 21. To Tent and Croft 22. Falling of Angel Tears 23. With Inexpressive Notes 24. All Angels Cry Aloud 25. Young Eyed Cherubim 26. Angelic Agency 27. An Angel Touched Me 28. Thy Warm Allies 29. Covetless 30.Beckon Me Away 31. Royal Deputation

JOAN OF ARC SAW VISIONS.

<<   March 6.  >>

Then the woman came and told her husband, saying; A man of God came unto me,
and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible. —Judges 13:3.

IT SEEMS that when only thirteen years old Joan of Arc saw
visions, and heard celestial voices bidding her to be good
and to trust in God. The most remarkable thing about this young
peasant girl is that she claimed to have had visions and heard
voices which are difficult to be distinguished from supernatural,
—something like the daemon of Socrates. She affirmed that Saint
Michael, the Archangel, appeared to her in glory, encouraging
her in virtue, and indicating to her that a great mission was
before her,— that she was to deliver her king and country. And
the voices which inspired the Maid of Orleans herself,—what were
these? Who can tell? I would not assert nor would I deny,
that they were the voices of inspiration. Who can deny that the
daemon of Socrates was something more than a fancied voice?
When did supernatural voices first begin to utter the power of
God? When will the voices of inspiration cease to be heard on
earth? In view of the fact that she did accomplish her mission,
the voices which inspired this illiterate peasant to deliver France
are not to be derided. Joan of Arc believed in God. She claimed
no other wisdom than that which was communicated to her by
the celestial voices. If she could direct a military movement in
opposition to leaders of experience, it was only because the
movement was indicated by an archangel. How could she work
what seemed to be impossible miracles, if she had not a supernatural
power to assist her ? Like the regina angelorum, she was
virgo castissima. . . . Charles must be crowned in the
consecrated city—Eheims. The thing must be done
Then, they asked her if she heard the voices. She answered
"yes,"—that she had prayed in secret, complaining of unbelief,
and that the voice came to her, which said, "Daughter of God,
go on, go on ! I will be thy help !' ' Her whole face glowed and
shone like the face of an angel. When undergoing trial as a
heretic, she simply affirmed that she obeyed the voices that came
from God. They asked her in what shape Saint Michael had
appeared to her, whether he had hair, whether it was for her
merit that God sent His angel. Fastened to the stake amid blazing
fagots, she expired, exclaiming, "Jesus, Jesus! My voices,
my voices!"
                                                        —John Lord.

Unnumbered blessings, ricb and free,
Have come to us, our God, from thee.
Sweet tokens, written with thy name,
Bright angels from thy face they came.
Some came with open faces bright,
Aglow with heaven's own living light;
And some were veiled, trod soft and slow,
And spoke in voices grave and low.
—Elizabeth Rundle Charles.