The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-01-05
A German Stsry.

In that beautiful part of Germany
which borders on the Rhine, there i
q noble castle, which, as you travel
on the western bank of the river, you
may see lifting its ancient towers on
! the opposite side, above the grove OF
/ trees which are nearlyas old "a it
| self. About forty years ago there
! lived in that castle noble gentle
man whom we shall cali the Baron.
/ The Baron had anoHly son, who was
not only 4 comfort to his father, but
q blessing to all who lived on his
fathers land.
1t happened on a certain occasion,
this young man being from home,
there came a French gentleman to
see the Baron. As soon as the gen.
tleman came into the castle, he began
! to talk III terms of his Heavenly
Father that chilled the old mans
blood, on which the Baron reproved
him, saying: "-Are you not afraid of
offending God, who Feigns above, 10y
speaking in such mannCr?i
The gentleman said he knew moth
/ ing about God, for he had never seen
him.
The Baron did not notice at this
time what the gentleman said. but
next morning took occasion; first,
to show beautiful picture that hung
on the wall.
my son drew that picture" said
the Baron.
"Ihen your son is very clever
man, replied the gentleman.
Then the Baron went with his Wis
itOr into his garden, and showed him
many beautiful flowers and plants.
"Who has the ordering of the gar
don y aid tho lanaar1
'AIy son." said the Baron: che
knows every plant may say from
the cedar Of Lebanon, 10 the hyssOp
Oh the wall"
Indeed" said the gentleman, Il
shall think very highly of him, very
sOon.n
The Baron took him into the VIII
lage, and showed him small, neat
cottage, where his son had establish
ed school, and where he caused all
poor children who had lost their par
ents, to be received and nourished at
his own expense.
The children in this house looked
so happy and innocent, that the
French gentleman WAS very much
pleased; and when he returned TO the
castle, he said to the Baron.
"WhPt happy man you are to
have such a good son."
How do you know that | have
such a good son."
because / have seen his work and
know he must be clever and good, if
he has done all you have shown
me.n
But you have never seen him."
No, but know him very well, be-
cause | judge him by his works" "
You do; and please draw near this
window, and tell me what YOU oh
serve from thence. y
''Why I see the sun travelling
through the sky, and shedding itsg gl0-
rie7 over one Of the greatest countries
In the world, and behold mighty
river at my feet, and arange of woods,
and / see pasture grounds and vine
yards, and cattle and sheep feeding
in green fields, and many thatched
cottages here and there
And do you see nothing pleasant,
or lovely or cheerful in all that il
spread before yOu.n
do You think that / want COM
mon sense? or that / have lost the use
of my eyes, my friend?" said the gen
tIeman somewhat angrily. "that ]
should not he able to relish the charms
of such scene as this?U
"WelI, then,n 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 han
diWOrk a. are now before Won? Let
me never hear you, my good friend,
say that you know not God, unless
you would have me suppose that you
have not the use of your senses"