The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-03-06
Translated from the French FOR Life Illustrated.
By ANNA r. Wilson.
THE GREAT LAW.

In the times Of the earliest race Of the
Fnnk kings. when most Of the nations sub
isct 10 them were still ignorant Of the gospel
Of Christ, there lived an old man named No
vSre, who had received the good news, and
applied himself to comprehend it, Abandon
sg the guilty pleasures Of the world, he had
retired to solitary hill. and had constructed
there cabin Of turf where he dwelt alons.
with no other occupation but to enlarge and
elevate his mind.
Now it happened that. by means Of medi-
Ation and prayers. the carmel veil which con
csals from men the invisible world was with
drawn for Novaire, and he was suffered 10
perceive the avenues TO heaven; but for ali
that he had not lost sight Of earth He dis
tnguished at the same time the wonders o!
the apparent creation and those Of the crea
ton concealed from US. His eye wandered
over the forests. the fields, the waters; then,
raising itself higher. encountered the region
tssysrsed by the messengers Of God; then.
higher still, the entrance to the celestial abode
guarded BY the archangels. He heard at once
tie murmur Of the streams. the voices of the
eherubim. and the hosannas Of the happy at
the foot Of the eternal throne. Angels bro't
him nourishment and conversed with him
long on all which is unknown to men; So his
days passed away in perpetual enchantment.
Associated with the lives Of pure spirits. he
had felt BY degrees all earthly ambition die
away within him. as pale stars disappear away
before the sun; and proud that his intelligence
had elevated him above the vulgar compre-
hsnsion. he would have penetrated by it the
secrets OF God. As he listened to those mur
murs Of life which form the eternal h, mn oi
creation TO the glory Of the Creator. he con
stantly repeated
why may | no: know what the birds say
10 Their songs, the breezas in their murnlur.
Toe insects IN their hum. the waves in their
nghs. the angels III their celestial hymns? In
'aeu must D. found the great law waich rules
TIE world"
bu. all the efforts of his mind ~ penetga.e
this nysery were unavaiing; he gained ncsf
ing hy them bnt hardness and pride. for the
intelligence which expands in solitude is ike
We lorest tree which can no, extend It's roo $
Without drying up every thing around th-m
MAT 1t may De benshcisl and fruitful. it mus
os'nitied by the dews Of the heart.
One day a. he was descending the always
Hefdent hi.l 20 traverse the valley then withsr-
Cd oy winter. he saw approaching a numer
Gus number OF soldiers conducting 3 criminal
o the gibbet: the peasants were thronyin. to
see Him pass. and loudly recounting his crimes.
out the condemned man smiled as he listened
1d tar from manifesting repentance. seemed
glory IN the evil he hsd done At last: on
"nving near the recluse. he suddenly stop
Pea. and exclaimed IN 3 testing air:
Approach. holy man, and give the kiss Of
peace 10 him who is about 70 die
npt Novsire recoied with indignation.
Pass on TO thy death. wretch; pure lips
may not touch the accursed"
The criminal resumed his march without re
p!'ng. and the recluss, still disturbed. took
Ge road to his hermitage But on arriving
me'e he paused in surprise: the aspect of all
'nings had changed. The trees, which in the
presence OF angels had retained . verdure.
'sre stripped Of their leaves ike rhose Of the
sA'eY where. few hours before. the eclan
uoe mad blossomed. fros. now glistened. and
rocks.
Noss,rc awaited the celestial nesseny ger
VINO daily brought him hi. food, in order 10
iea'n tbs cause Of this change. but the mes.
~aser appeared no more; the invisible
'ofid was closed TO him. aud he had fallen
Aaew into the mi.eries and ignorance of hu
punished him. without divinins the fault he
..Ai committed. Nevertheless he hsd submit;
20 without revolt. aud. kneeiing on the hill
-. Since | have offended thea. . my
S.eAor. ought. in eIpia;ion. to intiic, upoG
sea seme chas,isement will to day
fS'' my solitude aad march Onward. without
~, ~pose but sha, OF night. nil thou has
: sss'ned BY visible sign that have meri,et
Thy mercy
these words Novaire took his hermit's
ms 'ron-clssped breviary. his holly staff
=. ssss ais waist with leathern girdle. tied
M. .naass. and casting farewell glance
MA sue hhi' directed his steps toward q
him. 10y s"scay oeiose
,;,s 30. ~. IN this country. at present covered
.hsSes. with farms, with harres,s, thers
-, 'nea no road excsp. the paths traced b,
o.asss. II was necessary TO ford rivers
through marshes. cross hesshs. fndia.