CHAPTER XXXV. THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS.

dClayton,makinganefforttorecallhismanhood. "I?"repliedthefigure,"Iamthevoiceofonecryinginthewilderness!IamasignuntothispeopleofthejudgmentoftheLord!" Ourreadersmustrememberthestrangedimnessofthehour,thewildnessoftheplaceandcircumstances,andthesingularqualityofthetoneinwhichthefigurespoke.Claytonhesitatedamoment,andthespeakerwenton:— "IsawtheLordcomingwithtenthousandofhissaints!Beforehimwentthepestilence,andburningcoalswentforthathisfeet!Thybowismadequitenaked,OGod,accordingtotheoathsofthetribes!IsawthetentsofCushaninaffliction,andthecurtainsofthelandofMidiandidtremble!" Ponderinginhismindwhatthiswildstyleofaddressmightmean,Claytonrodeslowlyonward.Andtheman,forsuchheappearedtobe,cameoutoftheshadowsofthewoodandstooddirectlyinhispath,raisinghishandwithacommandinggesture. "Iknowwhomyouseek,"hesaid"butitshallnotbegivenyouforthestar,whichiscalledwormwood,hathfallen,andthetimeofthedeadiscome,thattheyshallbejudged!Behold,theresittethonthewhitecloudoneliketheSonofMan,havingonhisheadagoldencrown,andinhishandasharpsickle!" Then,wavinghishandabovehishead,withagestureofwildexcitement,heshouted:— "Thrustinthysharpsickle,andgathertheclustersofthevineoftheearth,forhergrapesarefullyripe!Behold,thewine-pressshallbetroddenwithoutthecity,andthereshallbebloodeventothehorses'bridles!Woe,woe,woetotheinhabita