The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-11-01
DR.. Miilers Duck Story.

The late DR. Miller, of Princeton, as
all his students will remember abonnded
in anecdotes, which he related to Lis
classes from year to year, to illustrate
the points made in his lectures. Oae OF
them occurs to us, just DOW as spec.sllY
applicable To the new converts which
have recently como into the churches
within the bounds of ous circulation: a
celebrated Judge in Virginia was, in his
earlier years, skeptical as 10 the truth of
the Bible, and especially as 10 the reality
OF experimental religion. He had
fayor.te servant who accompanied him in
his travels around his circuit, As they
passed from courthouse TO courthouse,
they frequently conversed on the subject
of religion, the servant. Harry, yenturing
at times to demonstrate with his master
against his infdelity. AS the judge had
confidence in Harry's honesty and sin-
ccrity. he asked him great many ques
tions, as 10 how he felt and what he
thought on various points. Amongst
other things, Harry told his master that
he was oltca very sor'ly tempted and
tried by the Devil. The judge asked
Harry to explain TO him how it happened
that the Devil attacked him (Hauy),
who was SO pious man, so sorely, whilst
he allowed himself, who was an infdeI
and :: sinner, to pass uaEoticed and in
tempted. Harry asked, Are you right
sure, master, tina. he docsslet you pass
without troubling you? Certainly |
am" replied the judge; Il have no deal
ings with him at all. do not even SO
much as know that there is any such
being in existence as the Devil. II there
is any sucl being, he never troubles me"
Nv ell, said Harry, Il know that there
is Devil, and that he tries me sorely at
times" day or two afterwards, when
the judge bad gotten through his doekets
be concluded TO go on q hunt for Wild
ducks on one OF the streams which lay
across his road homeward. Harry ac-
companie5 him AS they approached
the river they espied q iiock or dnchs
quietly floating on lis surface. The
Judge stealthily crept up the bank and
fred upon them, killing two or three and
wounding rs 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, whilst he
permitted tie dead ones 10 float on, for
the time unnoticed by him Harry. as
! he sat on the seat on the carriage,
watched his masters movements with
deep interest, and when he returned said
to him: .sMassa, whilst YOU Was a splash
! in in the water after dem wounded
ducks, and lettin' de dead ones float on,
/ it jist come into my mind, why il is dat
de Devil troubles me SO much, whilst he
/ lets yeu alone. You arc like dc dead
| ducks, he's sure he's got you safe N
like the wounded ones, trying to gitaway
j from Lin. and he's afraid II do it, SO he
makes all de fuss after me and list lets
you float on down dc stream. He knows
! be can git you any time; but he knows
it's now or never wild me. If you were
to begin to futter little and show signs
i like-you were goin to git away from
him, he would snake .iist as big a splashin
! after You as he does after me.
The illustration struck the learned
/ Judge with great force, and led him to
reinvestigate the grounds of his shepti-
cisnl, and through Harry instrumental
! ty, he was finally brought 20 sitwith him
at the feet of Jesus and 10 learn of him
The illustration is homcly one, but it
sets forth great truth In the experien-
ces of those who set out in the christian
course They must expect TO be assailed
BY Satan as they never were before. If
lie fails of success in causing their fall
ny the use of one form OF temptation.
! he will try another He is q cunning old
fox. He has tried so long. and had so
much to do with men, that he is nov ar
adept in devising means 10 ruin them
and make them as miserable and degrad
ed as himself. Young christians, therd
fore, should not think it strange concern
ing the fiery trials which are to try thef
. rs though some strange thing had Ia
penetl TO them, when they are assailed
new, and to them, hitherto unkno,
methods of assault. AS long as
Devil feels that sinners are safe, ID
that he is sure to get them at IastIe
allows them to float on quietly upon
unruffled current: bat the moment fy
| attempt TO throw of his yoke. anfo
assert their independence of him ey
must expect his wrath to wax eNceeng
hot aud assaults to fall thick and asst
4 upon their beads. They should nbe
ignorant of his devices He goes put
as roaring lion seeking whom hs ay Z
devour- Pres Heruid = ass.4