Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-10-08
THE czAR AND THE slsr PSALM.

sia, came to the throne. few Bibles were
found in his empire. and great careless.
ness in ssfsrence to religion prevailed al
most everywhere. An important place ia
the Church soon became vacant, and the
Emperor sppoiuted his favorite prince.
Alexander Galiizin. TO Gil it. He at frsi
declined the appointment on the plea Of
his entire ignorance Of religion; but the
Emperor oyerruled this objection as Of no
weight. Constrained to accept the posi-
tion. the prince on his 6rst interview with
the venerable Archbishop Platot. reques:
ted him to point out some book which would
give him view Of Christian doctrire.
that be might be better qualified for bis
official duties. The Archbishop. rather
surprised at the princes professed igner-
ance Of religion, recommended the Bible.
| The prince said he could not think oil
reading that Book.
"Weil." replied the Archbishop. "that
is the only Book there is, or will be, tha.
can give you a correct view Of Christian
ity."
Then I must remain ignorant OF it ;
reading the Bible is out Of the question, !"
was his reply.
The words. however, Of the revered
Platoff remained upon his mind. and he
shortly afterwards privately bought aud
| read the Bible The effects were soon
visible. lie was net known to be "Bi-
ble-reader." but his changed manners
were treated with contempt.
In the year 1912, when information
reached st. Petersburg that Napoleon s
armies had entered Moscow. a general
panic seized the inhabitants and they
packed up their valuab'es to fee to somc
place Of security, fully expecting that the
French would soon march upon the capi-
tai. The Emperor was also preparing to
go out with body Of troops from the city I.
| to withstand the invading foe.
During all this time Prince Ga;i,zin re-
mained cain and uupovcd. anG had q
large number of men employed in repair
ing his palace. which he continued to 60
on with. Notwithstanding the prcvsiiug
fear. People were astonished at bis con-
duet, aud some euvious person told the
Emperor what he was doing. vcnturing to
hint that hc might be a traitor who had
some secret understanding with the ene-
my. Alexander sought an interview with
the prince. who was glad Of an oppor;a-
nifty to acquaint his Imperial master with
the foundation upon which bis confidence
was built.
"Gaiitzin.' said the Emperor. "what
are you doingi What means all this :
every one prepares to aee. aud you are
building"
"O." said the prince. II am here in
as sure place of safety as any | could
fee to; the Lord is my defence.
whence have you such confidence p
replied the Emperor. WHO assures you
of it =
Il feel it in my heart, and it is also
stated in this divinely inspired volume. y
answered the prince. drawing from hi,
pocket and holding forth small Bible
a book which the Emperor had never seen
before. He put out his hand to receive
it. but it accidentally dropped on the
floor. opening as it fell. The prince raised
the Sacred Volume, glanced at the open
page. and said
"Well. permit me to read to you in that
very place in which the Bible lies open
before u.s."
1t was the ninety. first Psa'm:-
".Hc that dwelle,h in the secret place
Of the Most High shall abide under the
shadow of the Almighty. l will say OF
the Lord. He is my refuge and my for
tress my God in Him will I trust
Surely He shall deliver thee from the
snare OF the fowler. aud from the noisome
pes,ilence. He shall cover thee with His
feathers. and under His wings shalt thou
trust His truth shall be thy shield and
buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the
terror by night; nor for the arrow tha,
flie,h by day; nor for the pes,iIence ,ha,
walke,h 10 darkness; nor for the des.ruc-
tion tba. wasteth at MONDAY. A thou
sand shall fall a, thy side. and ten thou.
sand at thy righ. band; but i, shall no,
come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes
shalt thou behold aud see the reward Of
the wicked.
I" ".Because thou hast made the Lord
which is my refuge, even the Most High.
thy habiiation; there shall no evil besaIl
thee. neither shall any plague come nigh
thy dwelling. For He shall give his ah-
gels charge over thee, to keep thee in all
thy ways. They shall bear thee up in
their hands. les: thou dash thy foo, agains,
= stone. Thou shalt tread upon the liou
aud adder; the young lion aud the dragon
shalt thou trample under thy feet.
=. because he hath set his love upon
ale. therefore will deliver him; I will
Sc. him on high. because he hath known
My zane, He shall cali upon Me. and
l will answer him will be with him in
trouble; I will delives him, and homer
him. With long life will I satisfy him,
and show him my salvation
20 that your Majesty would seek this
retreat !" said the prince. as he read the
/ inspiring words.
The Emperor stood for . while as a
man as,onished. His army was by this
time marching ont Of the city. and, as
was customary. be repaired to the erea:
church ior public worship-,ha, being the
last place that the Csar visits when leav.
ing the capital to be absent any consider.
able time. Entering there. tie religious
services proceeded. and the of;eiatins
priest read before the wondering Enpe.
ror tie sanse ainsty,t;rA Psaizs. Are,
the service hs sent 10 the priest, aud
asked If GAlitsin had mentioned the cir.
cumstsnces Of their interview. The pries
rsnEsd that ha had he>rJ r,,t,1 of al,