Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1870-08-27
ATaIe from the German.

~ A1Ag HUM NAg GNAAAA@hs
In that beautiful part ofGermany
which borders OH the Rhine, there
Is a noble castle which as you trav-
ell on the western bank of the river
you may see lifting its ancient tow
ers on the opposite side, above the
grove of trees which are about as
old as itself. About forty years
ago there lived in hat castle q no.
BILE gentleman, whom we shall call
Baron. The Baron had an only son,
who was not only comfort 10 his
father but q blessing to all who lived
on his fathers land.
happened on certain occasion,
that this young man being from
home, there came q French gentle
man 10 see the old Baron. AS soon
as this gentleman came into the
castle, he began to talk OF his
Heavenly Father in terms that
chilled the ole mans blood OH which
the Baron reproved him, saying,
care you not afraid of offending
God, who reigns above, by speaking
in such a manner"
The gentleman said he knew
nothing about God, for he had new.
er seen him.
The Baron did not notice at this
time what the gentleman said, but
the next morning took occasion
first to show a very beautiful pic
ture which hnng on the wall.
any son drew that picture" said
the Baron. "Then your son is a
very clever man." replied the gen.
tleman.
The Baron then went with visi-
tor into the garden, and showed
him many beautiful flowers, plants
and forest.
"Who has the ordering of the
garden 2" said the gentleman.
''My son." replied the Baron "he
knows every plant, l may say,
from the Cedar OF Lebanon TO the
hissop on the wall"
Indeed" said the gentleman, ~
shall think very highly Of him
soon"
The Baron took him into the vii.
lage, and showed him a small neat
cottage, where his son had estab.
lisheda school, and where he caused
all the poor children who had lost
their parents, to be received and
nourished Of his own expense.
The children in this house looked
30 happy and innocent, that the
French gentleman was very much
pleased, and when he returned to
the castle, he said to the Baron
what a happy man you are TO have
such good son.
allow do you know l have a
good son? ?"
because l have seen his works,
and | know that he must be both
good and clever If he has done all
you have shown me-"
"But you have never seen him p
"No; but | know him very well,
because l judge Of him by his
works"
"You do and now please to draw
near to this window, and tell Inc
what Won observe from thence.
"Why | see the sun travelling
through the sky and shedding Its
glories over one of the greatest
countries in the world and l be-
hold a mighty river at my feet and
n vast range of woods, and l sec
pasture grounds, and orchards, and
vineyards, and cattle and sheep,
feeding in green fields; and many
matched cottages scattered here and
there"
"And do you see anything to be
admired in all this? Is there any
thing pleasant or lovely or cheer.
full in all that's spread before you Z"
ado you think l want common
sense? or that / bave lost the use
Of my eyes, my friend3" said the
gentleman somewhat angrily, "that
/ should not be able to relish the
charms of such a scene as this q
"Well, then," said the Baron, "if
you are able to judge of my sons
good character by seeing his good
works, how does 1t happen that you
form no judgement Of the goodness
of God, by witnessing such Won
ders of His handiwOrk as are now
before You. Let me never hear
you, my good friend, again say
that you know not God, unless you
would have me suppose that you
have not the use Of your Senses"