Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-02-22
From the Herald.J

4. FABLE.
| AS shepherd was one day walking
near an extensive forest, which bordered
his pasture grounds, he met a large
An Shepherd exclaimed Lu-
pus, 4 am verify glad to see you, for
hate had a matter on my mind for a
long time, about which l have been
anxious to talk with you, but have
lacked opportunity. Now l trust your
leisure and inclination are such that
may be gratifed by few minAes' con-
versation.'
Most. certainly said the shepherd,
4 have no straying sheep to look after.
Ny lambs are all in the middle OF the
meadow, where wild beasts never ven
ture. What shall be the subject of re-
mark, please state it since it presses
you"
WoJ.AWith youfleave, l will do so.
though you have already alluded to it.
Nay |, then, be so bold as to ask why
you keep those lambs 1 see yonder so
closely guarded within the narrow limits
of this meadow? They are never al
lowed, as l have often noticed. to go
outside, nor even to approach the bor-
der, without being strictly watched.
!Shepherd.-My lambs are young and
inexperienced. They are ignorant of
the dangers to which they are exnosed;
and being committed to my care. am
responsible Tor their safety, and, there
fore, l protect them from harm.
WOlf.-Your- intention is doubtless
good, but you will surely make them
dull and mean-spirited.
iShepherd-Not the least danger of
that. and if there was, their safety is
the first consideration.
WOlf--But why can't you allow
them to taste Of freedom, to visit the
forest and mountains, and when they
come to years of discretion, to judge
for themselves. That is the way we
wolves do; we don't want any shepherd
to watch our young ones-we let them
go where they please, you must allow
we are more liberal than you.
Skepherd.-That may do for wolves,
but not for lambs. II | should turn
them out to taste freedom and Judge
for themselves, as you say, your whole
pack would be in pursuit at first sight.
WoT.-In the name Of the animal
creation, protest against this injustice,
and insist that lambs ought to be allowed
to grow up without being prejudiced in
favor of one kind Of pasture rather than
another, so that they may choose for
themselves. And 1 am glad to know
that my opinion is sustained by men Of
your own profession, for whom Of
course, you have great respect. don't
often 60 to preaching. but / chanced
once to be within hearing Of the follow
ing sensible remarks. "My hearers,
sprinkling babies and teaching them to
pray, is all hdmbug-it is; so IS Sum
day schools and missionary societies.
Let them grow up and Judge for them
selves about religious matters, and don't
try to take the Lords work ou. of his
own hand Now apply that to lambs.
and it expresses my sentiment about as
well. as / could do it myself.
IShepherd.-You are greatly mis-
taken, if you suppose have any re-
spect for such man. He, no doubt,
expresses the wish Of all wolves, and
the devil. too. but not Of the Good SLep-
herd, who has said, Feed my lambs,
and Teach these things. diligently to
your children And the devil viii al
low children to grow up without inter-
fering with their religious notions, just
as much as you wolves will allow lambs
to play about your dens without de-
vouring them.
To this the wolf made no other reply
than snarl. So be turned about, and
got him to the woods again, but not
until he had cast savage look at the
lambs lying on sunny bank, by which
the shepherd was more than ever con-
yinced that all his fine talk about free
dem, and unprejudiced views were
meant, not for the good OF bis lambs,
but for his own raVenous stomach
After this conversation, he guarded his
flock with greater care.
CHARAcTERIsTIo The