BourneJason 2008-5-29 11:22
感人至深的英文美文-A Timeless Letter of Comfort
[align=center][font=Trebuchet MS][size=3][color=sienna][b]A Timeless Letter of Comfort[/b][/color][/size][/font][/align][font=Trebuchet MS][size=3][color=sienna]In October 1800 john Todd was born in Rutland, Vermont. Soon afterward his parents moved to Killlingworth, Connecticut. When John was six, both his parents died. A kind-hearted aunt in North Killingworth agreed to take John and give him a home. He was brought up by her and lived in her home until he left to study for the ministry.
His aunt took seriously ill and feared she was about to die. In great distress she wrote john a letter in which she asked him to tell her what death would be like.
Here is the letter he sent in reply.
It is now thirty-five years since I, as a little boy of six, was left quite alone in the world. You sent me word give me a home and be a kind mother to me. I have never forgotten the day when I made the long journey of ten miles to your house in North Killingworth. I can still recall my disappointment when, instead of coming for me yourself, you sent your servant James to fetch me.
I well remember my tears and anxiety as perched high on your horse and clinging tight to James, I rode off to my new home. Night fell before we finished the journey, and as it grew dark I became lonely and afraid. “Do you think she’ll go to bed before we get there?” I asked James anxiously. “No, no,” he said reassuringly. “She’ll stay up for you. When we get out of these woods you’ll see her candle shining in the window.”
Presently we did ride out into the clearing, and there, sure enough, was your candle. I remember you were waiting at the door, that you put your arms close about me and that you lifted me – a tired and bewildered little boy – down from the horse. You had a fire burning on the hearth, a hot supper waiting on the stove. After supper you took me to my new room, heard me say my prayers, and then sat beside me until I fell asleep.
You probably realize why I am recalling all this to your memory.Some day soon God will send for you, to take you to a new home. Don’t fear the summons, the strange journey, or the dark messenger of death who will fetch you. God can be trusted to do as much for you as you were kind enough to do for my so many years ago. At the end of the road you will find love and a welcome waiting, and you will be safe in God’s care. I shall watch you and pray for you till you are out of sight, and then wait for the day when I shall make the same journey myself and find you waiting at the end of the road to greet me.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Trebuchet MS][size=3][color=sienna][/color][/size][/font]
[font=Trebuchet MS][size=3][color=sienna][align=center][size=3][font=宋体][color=navy][size=10.5pt][b]一封没有日期的安慰信[/b][/size][/color][/font][/size][/align][/color][color=navy][size=10.5pt]1800[/size][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt][font=宋体, MS Song]年[/font][/size][/font][size=10.5pt]10[/size][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt][font=宋体, MS Song]月，约翰·托德在佛蒙特州的拉特兰市出生。不久以后，他随父母迁居到位于康涅狄格州的一个名叫肯尼渥斯的小城。不幸的是，约翰六岁时，他的父母便双双亡故。住在肯尼渥斯北部的一位好心的姑妈把小约翰接到了自己的家里。打那以后，约翰就一直住在那儿。后来，他离开了抚养他长大的姑妈，到外地学习做牧师。[/font][/size][/font][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt] [/size][/font]
[font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt][font=宋体, MS Song]在此期间，不幸的事又发生了，姑妈突然得了重病。她很害怕，因为她担心自己就要离开人世。怀着无比悲伤的心情，她给约翰·托德写了一封信，让约翰告诉她死亡是什么。[/font][/size][/font][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt] [/size][/font]
[font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt][font=宋体, MS Song]约翰在回信中写道：[/font][/size][/font][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt] [/size][/font]
[font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt][font=宋体, MS Song]我六岁时，父母就将我弧伶伶地留在了世上，到如今已有[/font][/size][/font][size=10.5pt]35[/size][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt][font=宋体, MS Song]年了。那时，你捎信儿告诉我说要给我一家，还要像慈母一样地善待我。[/font][/size][/font][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt] [/size][/font]
[font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt][font=宋体, MS Song]从我家到肯尼渥斯北部你的家有十英里的路程，那天的漫长旅行，我永世不忘。[/font][/size][/font][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt] [/size][/font]
[font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt][font=宋体, MS Song]我记得詹姆士的到来令我大失所望，因为我企盼姑妈你亲自来接我，而不是你的仆人。[/font][/size][/font][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt] [/size][/font]
[font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt][font=宋体, MS Song]我还清楚地记得我高高地坐在你的马上，紧紧贴着詹姆士。当马儿迈步带我奔向我的新家时，我突然感到紧张，眼泪也禁不住流了下来。夜幕降临时我们还在途中；天黑尽时，我感到又孤独又害怕。我焦急地问詹姆士：“你说她会不会已经睡了，不等我们了？”“噢，不会的，”他满有把握地说：“她会等你的，我们走出树林后，你就会看见烛光在她的窗户里一闪一闪的。”[/font][/size][/font][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt] [/size][/font]
[font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt][font=宋体, MS Song]果然，仅仅过了一会儿，我们就来到了树林外的空地上。在那儿，我真真切切地看到了你点燃了的蜡烛。我记得你正候在门口；我记得你紧紧地搂住我；我记得你把我——一个疲惫不堪，昏昏沉沉的小男孩抱下了马。屋内，壁炉里有温暖的火，炉子上有热气腾腾的晚饭。饭后，你把我带进了我的新卧室，听完我的祷告后，你将我放在床上，坐在我的身边，等我入睡。[/font][/size][/font][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt] [/size][/font]
[font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt][font=宋体, MS Song]你也许明白了为什么我要让这件往事来勾起你的回忆。不久以后的某一天，上帝会派人来接你，接你去你的新家。不要害怕上帝的召唤，不要畏惧奇怪的旅行，也不要敬畏来接你的穿黑衣的使者。你要相信上帝会善待你，就像许多年前仁慈的你对待我一样。在旅途的终点，你将看到爱，看到上帝正等在那儿迎接你。在上帝的关怀下，你会很安全。我会目送你远行并为你祈祷，直到我看不见你。从那以后，我就开始等待，等待某一天我也踏上这样的旅途，在路的尽头，我又会看见你正等着接我。[/font][/size][/font][font=Tahoma][size=10.5pt] [/size][/font]
[/color][/size][/font]