Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-01-04
DR.. MILLER,s DUCK STORY.

D4ls A1hih1l - OOOA NJ OAN
The Presbyterian not long ago contained
the following i'll the shape OF editorial mat
ter:
The late Dr. Miller, of Princeton, as all
his students, will remember abounded IN an
ecdotes, which he had related to his classes
from year 10 year, to illustrate the points
made in his lectures. One OF them occurs
to US just now, as being specially applicable
to the new converts that lave recently
come into the churches within the bounds OF
our circulation y celebrated Judge in
Virginia was IN early years, skeptlce as 10
the truth of the Bible, and especially as to
the reality Of experimental religion. lie
had favorite slave, who accompanied him
in his travels around his circuit. As they
passed from court house TO court house,
they frequently couversed on the subject of
religion, the servant, Harry, venturing, at
times, to demonstrate with his master against
his inidelity. rs the Judge had sufficient
confidence in Harries honesty and sincerity,
he asked him how he felt, and what he
thought on various points Among other
things, Harry told his master that he was
very often sorely tempted aud tried by the
devil. The Judge asked Harry TO explain
10 him how it happened that the devil at
tackled him Harry who was 50 Pious a
man. so sorely, while he allowed himself,
who was an inlidel and sinner, to pass un-
noticed and untempted.
Harry asked, Are you right sure master,
that he does let you pass without troubling
you?'
Certainly 1 am, replied the Judge f;
81 have no dealings with him at all. do
not even so much as know that there IS any
such being in eXistance as the devil. Ii
there is any such being he never troubles
me.
"Well, said Harry II know that there
is devil, and that he tries me sorely at
times.
A day or two afterwards, when the Judge
had gotten through his docket, he concluded
to go on hunt for wild ducks on one OF the
streams which lay across his road home
ward Harry accompanied him. As they
approached the river they espied flock ct
ducks quietly floating on It's surface. The
Judge stealthily crept up TO the bank and
fired upon them, killing two or three, and
wounding as many others. He at once threw
down his gun and made strenuous efforts,
with the aid OF clubs and stones, to secure
the wounded ducks, while he permitted the
dead ones to float on, for the time unnoticed
by him. Harry, a. he sat on the seat OF
the carriage, watched his master move
ments with deep interest, when he returned
said TO him
'Massa, while you was splashin' in the
water arter dem wounded ducks and letten
de dead ones float on. it iist came to my
mind why it is dat de debil troubles me so
much while he lets you alone. You are
like de dead ducks; he's sure he's got you
safe I'm ike de wounded ones, trying to
get away from him, and he's afraid I'll DO
it, so he makes all de fuss arter me and
jist lets you float on down de stream. He
knows he can git you any time but he
knows its now or neber wild me. If you
were to begin to futter little and show
signs ike you We're goin to get away from
him, he would make just as big a splashin
arter you as be does arter me.