Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-01-06
NUMBER 81.
4 Message to a King.

Il Message to King.
In the early part OF the reign of Alex
ander l., Bible reading and habits OF piety
and devotion were held in contempt
among the upper classes in Russia and
when Prince GaIitizen. in utter ignorance
of religion became maguaie in the church
10y imperial appointment. he was obliged
TO purchase a Bible secretly, that he might
acquant himself with the first principles
OF Christianity.
His stolen study OF the Holy Book soon
influenced the character and manners of
the once naughty noble, so that all who
dared to do so snoered at him.
In course OF lime Napoleon invaded
Russia. and all St. Petersburg prepared
either TO fght or flee. Galtzin alone re-
NAMED unmoved. His palace was under.
going extensive repairs, and he continued
to superint0nd them as comPosedly as it
his country was in the midst of the pro.
foundesi peace.
Car was astoaished at the apparent
unconcern of his favorte prince. and be.
fore putting himself at the head OF his
armies he called on him, bali fearing Tor
the soundness of Galitain's patriotism.
"What does it mean," said he. "that
yor 20 on buildiag when everyone else
prepares to fee9"
The Lord is my defense, SIRE an.
swered Glaitzin; 81 anl rs safe here IS
anywhere
Alexander demanded to know where
he had found this new confidence, and
the prince showed him his Bible. Strange
as it may seem, it was the first Bible the
Car had ever seen.
The first place which he opned was at
the 9lst Pslam. "He that dewelleth in
the secret place OF the Most High shall
abide under the shadow of the Almighty
ETC., and Gl,zin read to him the whole Of
that sweet. grand scripture.
Profoundly impressed, the Car repaired
to the cathedral for public worship, pre-
paratory TO departing on his campaign.
The priest who conducted the service
chose, by a singular coincidence, the 9lst
Psam TO read "IIe that dwelteth in the
secret place OF the Most High shall abide
under the shadow Of the Almighty
Did Galizin tell you to select that ?'
said Alexander.
III have not seen Galitzin,' said tie
priest. II only prayed the Lord to be
guided in my choice"
The Car went a days march with his
army. and in the evening feeling anxious
and serious, he ordered his chaplain to
read to him in his tent The chaplain
began to read, ale that dwelte!h in the
secret place OF the Most High shall abide
under the shadow OF the Almighty"
Hold" cried Alexander; "did Galil4in
tell YOU to read that to me -
"Assuredly not, SIRE said the chap.
lain; II asked Sod to direct me to pas
sage, and then felt constrained to select
this Pslam."
From that time Alexander secretly got
access to Bible every day. and read it
with wonder and delight. And when
divine providence scattered the great
army OF Napoleon, and drove it out OF
Russia with loss of 100000 men, the
Car returned to his capital, borrowed
Gaitzin,s $ Bible, and applied himself Gag
erly to the study of its precious pages
until the Holy Spirit taught him to makeit
the rule Of his life.
Some years aiterward two missionaries
who were preaching and teaching the
Scripture in St. Petersburg, learned this
story from the mouth Of Prince Galtzin,
and heard the Car himself confirm It,
during an impressive and memorable in'
tcrview which he granted them at the
palace. One OF those missionaries was
Sthepen Gerllet. Quaker. who recorded
the facts in his jourual.-TQatA's COM
panion.