Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-11-19
TIE sKEPTIC SUBDUED.

al cannot feel as you do. | wish could.
but was born d skeptic, | cannot help my
doubts. O.her people swallow down these Wis.
ionary things, but ss for me can't do not
know there is God and if there is, what ho
has 10 do with us particularly | can't &c.,
Nature has her laws, and whoever breaks them
will bring evil upon his own head that ia
about all that can ses.'
Thus spoke an eminent politician as be
walked With Christian friend through the
blackness Of winters night, II was bitter
| oold and the snow fakes powdered the rich fur
coat wrapped about him, and whlteaed the
| thick clusters of raven hair that peeped out
from beneath his cap.
Yes, John Hunter was skeptc. A man of
rare intellectual powers, welding mighty in.
| huence, and yet no God No hope for the ia. q.
| ture--walking 10 the darkness satished cou-
tented.
Almost everybody had given him up. Hs
parried reason skiltully and calmly, and, to all
human appearance, it seemed impossible to
| make an impression on the rocky soil of his
| heart.
But one friend had never despared of him !;
they had been boys together, sat on the same
form AT school, played at the same games
Manhood opened to both ingitingly.
Ambitious OF worldly honor, and feeling what
it is, the power to sway men to his will. John
Hunter early entered the political arena, and 1t
was not long before his fellow countrymen ap-
| plauded to his hearts content. He was sue.
cessful man.
The other, Jasper Schumann, was qaist,
| upobtrnsiye man, q humble mechanic, support.
| ing his family by his daily labor, a cheerful,
happy Christian man of every day lite, these
| two were still friends whenever they Glanced
| to meet; and when absent on his political cir
| cult, John Hunter was always remem bered al
| Jasper Sehumasn gathered his loved ones
| around the family altar.
Il CHANGED on this pa, ticuar night, Jasper
Schumann had been pressing the matter of per
| sonal religion on the attention of John Hunter,
/ and now his only reply was:
| "God has more power over your heart tn an
you have, John, and 1 mean still to pray tor
you"
20, I'm willing that you should do that If
| it's comfort to you; go on but shall never
change. I've read more books of divinity than
most ministers. I've about as much as can
! do In this world and must run the risk of an-
| other. However, let's change the sutjsct.--
whew how the snow fles Here's a restau-
ran,i let us stop and order supper"
| How warm and pleasant it looked as they
| entered The brighs gaslght streamed over
the glitter of cut glass and silver, failing into
| the hearts OF the fowers lavishy strewed over
the richly tinted carpet, while splendid mirrors
aud marble tables reflected the waves OF light
dasIlingly. Goodiy viands were placed before
| them, and their conversation had been genial
and pleasant. John Hunter was on the point
OF rising, when strain of soft music came
through half.opened door--s child's voice
| Passisnately fond OF music, the politician
stopped TO hear
Sweet, isn't it2" as his eye caught Jasper
| Schumann's,
"We've no time to hear you now, out of the
i W a u,.ir
| was hushed.
"But want TO hear him. said John Hun
ter, let him come in here"
cite against the rule, sir
"Yery well, send him to the reading room, u
| and the two gentlemen followed u small slight
figure in patched coat and little torn hat.
The room was quiet. John Hunter walked
to the opposite side aud motlonsd the little
boy to his side.
Tiuidly the child looked up; his cheek was
browL, but a aush rested there, and out OF the
thinnest lace, under the arch OF massive fore
head deepened by masses OF soft brown hair
looked two eyes, whose sof.ness and tender
meas would have touched heart harder than
was John Hunters.
8 What do you sing, my boy2"
81 sing German or English" was sweetly
answered. ra
j "Why, child, what makes you tremble so
| are you sick 2"
As ifunheeding the question the child began
To sing. His voice was wonderful and simple
and common, as were both air and words; The
power and purity of the tones drew many Of
the gentlemen from their tables. The little
! song commenced thus:
I'm but q stranger here,
Heaven is my home
Earth Is desert drear
Heaven Is my home.
Dangers and sorrows stand
: Round me on every hand;
Heaven IL my fathers land,
60 Heaven 10 my home,