Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-09-27

" land unknownl Art thou far off, or near
ana the old vOlces we no more can hear
From thy mysterious shores
Q land unknownl By the dividing stream
we stand and gaze, and sometimes fondlv
dream -N-'
The clouds will part and yield one transient
Of thy mysterious shores.
land qnknownl That day of days draws
| Which shall unlock this hidded mystery,
And b1d DC our dreading, longing spirits fly
! 10 thy mysterious shores.
! A TALE From THE GERMAN.-In that bean.
tltul thu part OF Germany which borders on the
hhlne, there Is noble castle, which, as YOU
travel on the western bank of the river. YOU
may see lifting Its ancient towers on the oppo-
site side, above the grove of trees which are
about as old as ITSELF About forty years ago
there lived IN that castle noble gentleman,
whom we shall call Baron. The Baron had an
! only son, who was not only a comfort to his IA
ther but blessing to all who lived on his ia
| ther's land
1t happened on certain occasion, that this
young man being from home, there came a
French gentleman to 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 old man s blood, on which the
Baron Ieproved him, saying, ''Are you not
afraid OF offending God, who reigns above, by
speaking In such manner ?"
Ihe gentleman said he knew nothing about
God, tor he had never seen him.
The Baron did not notice at this time what
the gentleman said, but took occasion the next
morning to show him first, very beautiful pic
ture which hung on the wall.
My son drew that picture" said the Bar
on.
Then your son is very clever one,' re-
piled the gentleman
The Baron then went with the visitor into
the garden, and showed him many beautiful
flowers plants and forest.
"Who has the ordering of the garden3n
said the gentleman. -
My son, replied the baron she knows ev-
cry plant, may say, from the Cedar of Leban-
anon to the hyssop on the WALL -
Indeed, said the gentleman, II shall think
very highly of him SOON
The Baron took him into the village and
showed him small, neat cottage, where his
son had established a school, and where he
caused all the poor children who had lost their
parents, to be received and nourished at his
own expense.
The children in this house looked so inno-
cent, that the French gentleman was very much
pleased, and when he returned to the castle,
ne said to the Baron, "What a happy man
you are to have such good son."
How do you know L have good son ?''
Because have seen his works, and know
he must be both good and clever, If he mas
done all you have shown me"
But you have never seen him.
mo, but know him very well, because I
judge of him by his works -
You do: and now please to draw near to his
window, and tell me what you observe from
thence"
Why, see the sun travelling through the
sky, and shedding its gories over one of the
greatest countries In the world and | behold
mighty river at my feet, and vast range of
woods, and see pasture grounds, and orchards
and vineyards, and cattle and sheep feeding in
green fields; and many thatched cottages scat
tered here and there.
Aud do you see any thing to be admired in
all this Is there anything pleasant or lovely,
or cheerful In all that Is spread before youY'
DO you think | want common sense ? or
that have lost the use of my eyes, my friend ?''
said the gentleman, somewhat angrily, that
should not be able to relish the charms of such
a scene as this?''
"Well, then,' said the Baron, 'if you are
able to judge of my sons good character by
seeing his good works, how does it happen that
you form no judgment of the goodness of God,
by witnessing such wonders 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 ~