Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-08-28

Heinrich heard nothing from either king @,
marshal Only an official intima.ion had
been sent, as was customary, that he had beer
selected as the preacher on the following
Sunday at the chapel royal
If it had not been that Heinrich knew
he possessed no mean powers of oratory. and
that he could even extemporise, in case Of
emergency, he would have certainly run
away from Berlin, and abjured his discover
ed cousin. As it was he abided the course
OF events, and fortified himself by PRAYER and
philosophy for the momentous hour. Sun
oay morning arrived, but no text
heinrich went to the church appointed.
ana was conducted to the seat set apart for
the preacher of the day. The king, with the
royai family occupied their accustomed place.
Inc service commenced but no text! The
prayers We're ended, and whilst the organ
peaied forth its solemn sounds, the preacher
was led to the pulpit The congregation
were astonished, not only for at youthful
ness but at his being an utter stranger.
Inc pulpit steps were gained, and the
thought dashed across Heinrich's mind that
possibly he should find the text placed for
him on the desk.
But, as ne was on the point of mounting
the stairs, an officer of the royal household
delivered to him folded piece of paper saw
ing :. His Majesty sends you the text"
Alter having recited the preliminary pray
er, the preacher opened the paper, and 10 |!
1t was blank-not word was written on it
What was to be done? Heinrich deliberate.
ly examined the white sheet, and after a
short pause, held it up before the congrega-
ton, saying, His Majesty has furnished the
text for my sermon. But you may perceive
that nothing whatever is upon this sheet of
paper. Out of nothing God created the
world. shall therefore, take the Creation
for the subject of my discourse this morn
ing"
In accordance with this decision. the
preacher went through the whole of the
first chapter of Genesis in a masterly way.
his style being forcible and clear, and his
Huency OF language remarkable His audi
enee, accustomed to the kings eccentricities,
were tar more astonished at the dexterity
with which the preacher had extricated him
sell from the difficulty than at the dilemma
IN which he had been placed At last the
sermon was ended, the congregation dismiss
ed, ana Heinrich found himself in the sacris-
ty, receiving the congratulations of several
dignltarles of the church, who all prophesied
for him brilliant future
AAOlnIiCu VeuIufeQ TO express his amaze
ment at the singular proceeding of the king.
but was told that he only could have arrived
recently from the provinces, if he did not
Know that such vagaries were quite common
to his majesty. In the midst of the conver-
satlon, messenger arrived to conduct him to
the royal presence. Being totally unaware
what impression his sermon might have made
upon the king, the cousin seeker rather
dreaded the approaching audience But Helm
rich had scarcely crossed the Threshold of
'h0 hitis5 Ioorn, wricEI urinJooty @Jufiipota
up, and thrust roll of paper into the young
mans hand exclaiming, "Hurra, sir puff
away take this light for the light you gave
mel'
Throwing himself back in chair, he laugh
ed heartily at the young preachers look of
surprise and confusion. The latter scarcely
knew what reply to make, or what to do !;
but just as he had got as far as 'Your maies-
"" the king interrupted him, saying,
Make no fine speeches; go home quietly
and examine the contents of the paper You
came to Berlin to seek a cousin; you have
found one who, if you go on steadily, will
not neglect you."
1t is hardly necessary te add that the roll
of paper contained good appointment at the
University of Berlin, and made Heinrich Mey-