I 've seen them do it , and if I dared I 'd have startled every soul of them with a rousing peal . Ah , they do n't dream whose eye is on them , they never guess what secrets the telegraph wires tell as the messages fly by , and little know what a report I give to the winds of heaven as I ring out above them morning , noon , and night . '' And the old spirit shook his head till the tassel on his cap jangled like a little bell . `` There are some , however , whom I love and honor , '' he said , in a benignant tone , `` who honestly earn their bread , who deserve all the success that comes to them , and always keep a warm corner in their noble hearts for those less blest than they . These are the men who serve the city in times of peace , save it in times of war , deserve the highest honors in its gift , and leave behind them a record that keeps their memories green . For such an one we lately tolled a knell , my brothers ; and as our united voices pealed over the city , in all grateful hearts , sweeter and more solemn than any chime , rung the words that made him so beloved , -- '' ` Treat our dead boys tenderly , and send them home to me . ' '' He ceased , and all the spirits reverently uncovered their gray heads as a strain of music floated up from the sleeping city and died among the stars . `` Like yours , my report is not satisfactory in all respects , '' began the second spirit , who wore a very pointed cap and a finely ornamented cloak . But , though his dress was fresh and youthful , his face was old , and he had nodded several times during his brother 's speech . `` My greatest affliction during the past year has been the terrible extravagance which prevails . My post , as you know , is at the court end of the city , and I see all the fashionable vices and follies . It is a marvel to me how so many of these immortal creatures , with such opportunities for usefulness , self-improvement and genuine happiness can be content to go round and round in one narrow circle of unprofitable and unsatisfactory pursuits . I do my best to warn them ; Sunday after Sunday I chime in their ears the beautiful old hymns that sweetly chide or cheer the hearts that truly listen and believe ; Sunday after Sunday I look down on them as they pass in , hoping to see that my words have not fallen upon deaf ears ; and Sunday after Sunday they listen to words that should teach them much , yet seem to go by them like the wind . They are told to love their neighbor , yet too many hate him because he possesses more of this world 's goods or honors than they : they are told that a rich man can not enter the kingdom of heaven , yet they go on laying up perishable wealth , and though often warned that moth and rust will corrupt , they fail to believe it till the worm that destroys enters and mars their own chapel of ease . Being a spirit , I see below external splendor and find much poverty of heart and soul under the velvet and the ermine which should cover rich and royal natures . Our city saints walk abroad in threadbare suits , and under quiet bonnets shine the eyes that make sunshine in the shady places . Often as I watch the glittering procession passing to and fro below me . I wonder if , with all our progress , there is to-day as much real piety as in the times when our fathers , poorly clad , with weapon in one hand and Bible in the other , came weary distances to worship in the wilderness with fervent faith unquenched by danger , suffering and solitude . `` Yet in spite of my fault-finding I love my children , as I call them , for all are not butterflies . Many find wealth no temptation to forgetfulness of duty or hardness of heart .
Many give freely of their abundance , pity the poor , comfort the afflicted , and XXXXX our city loved and honored in other lands as in our own .
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