The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-12-21
The galladiu'l1,
RICHMOND. DEC. q, 1869.
Translated from the Lutherische Kirchenfreund..

T. EIsaa
THB ADVOCATE.
Beside me sits an advocate OF hand
some person, and somewhat naughty
manner. He is reserved at first, now
and then word concerning our de-
tention, .. questioning as to destina-
ton an advising, and an asking as to
farther travelling, and so one word en-
tices another out until finally we are
acquainted. We speak first of the
weather,-cs matter of course, whetl
er It il cold or warm wet or dry, pleas
ant or unpleasant, men must first talk
thus to one another; that is the genu-
inc Americas style, and il as a rule, q
good Introduction to farther CONVERSE
ton. Then come Politics. The agiLa-
ting state elections are over. The Re-
publicans- have borne victory from
hence, and one must now enumerate
the causes which have led to the result.
Then one throws statesmanly glance
into futurity, and discusses who is to
be next President. Advocates know
aturally how to give exact inteli-
gence Of the danger in which we swing,
of the principles and movements whose
results are in the far future, of what
must be, and Of what must not be.
Onr advocate is versed in theology.
He knows that one should be Christian,
but denies the necessary union between
Christianity and the Church. He is a
Christian, according to his Own opinion;
goes to the church, (when it pleases
him) and speaks good word for the
philanthropic efforts of the Christian
public, The also gives something If the
basket il reached to him in a public
collcction), he would not be understood
as undertaking the high worth of
Christian civilization. (oh no but why
should he lock himself up in church
He knows it already! He is already
christianized The churches have their
work to do, and must exist; (for others)
one should preach industrIously, in or
der to raise others to that elevated po-
sition OF perfection to which he has al
ready attained. Besides if he wished
to become church member, he would
not know to what church to attach him
self The Presbyterians please him
best, but they hold to the singular, and
to him inexplicablc doctrine Of predes
tination hence he could not enter in fel
Iowship with them, SO he must be OK
cused, and permitted to remain in his
state Of unattachmept This gentleman
represents the legal standpoint, with
few exceptions, in reference to the con-
sideration Of Religion. rrg-
MEDITATION.
Ii one could depict with pen and ink
the inspiration caused by the contem-
plation of nature in Autumn, then he
might be able to account Of his journey
ings q source Of true enjoyment to the
reader. In ones own home the aspect
of nature is old and known. Buried in
the occupations of every day life, he
drives through the changes of the sea-
sons, and thinks notof the lovely chan
ges OF scenery which the circling course
of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter
pass before his eyes. Elevated and ex
allied are-the thoughts which the solemn
face Of nature teaches the traveller. The
beezes have become raw, clear sky
encircles mountain and valley, and the
echo, which in early Spring was thrown
back in dancing sounds from out the
leaf thickened woods. has lost its tone
SO full Of youthful joy, and rings sor-'
rowfully and seriously, as if it must
with the falling of the leaves, desert its
summer home. The foliage becomes
yellow aud brown; here and there tree
is in full flow of sap, and holds its leaves
green, but the coming Autumn has
blown out his breath, the vegetation of
summer trembles under his powerful
tossings 8, and bush and tree must I'M
clothe themselves. Summer is gone.
Grass, flowers and leaf wither aid fall;
the wind plays with the leaves, carries
them here and there by millions, TO the
hedge corners and over the bare fields,
until they find their final resting place
under covering of white. Yesterday
the snow fakes began to fall; and to-
day the earth is in its winter garb. /
see the farmer yet abroad to gather the
rich products of a blessed harvest into
his barn.
The bird, deceived through the Lc-
ginning of the mild sunbenms, has de-
layed his journey to the land Of Spring.
Yet, this morning l saw great wedge
shaped flock Of wild geese flying over,
turning with instructive presentiment
southwark, to seek summer land.
Spread thou slso, my soul, tue wings OF
thy faith. Thou hast had a restless
night. With Bonded knee thou hast
commended myself to the Lord in the
lying down and in the rising up, and
thou hast prayed to him for protection
and mercy. Yet, whence this unrest.
the unkind thoughts toward base men,
the presentimento of all things possible
to occur TO one in the fifth story Of ho-
tel! And, when after long battle be-
tween sleep and wakefulness, self-con-
sciousness permits itself to be conquer
ed at last, then the unbridled thoughts
in unmanageable hurly-burly, begin to
torment one with all manner of things
possible and impossible. My soul has
become troubled and restless. 1t longs
for o release from the wild play of its
thoughts. ssg fl4o5 40
Is it q wonder that men in q supersti-
tious age believed in witches? They
wrestled under my head where l had
concealed my money, (the little) and
have trampled upon my breast until the