The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-01-26
How He Knew.

In the beautiful part of Germany
which borders on the Rhine there is
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 as old as itself. About forty
years ago there lived in that castle a
noble gentleman, whom we shall
call simply the baron. The Baron
had an only son, who was not only
a comfort to his father, but bless
ing to all who lived on his fathers
land. 1t happened on a certain oc-
casion that this young man being
from home, there came French
gentleman to see the old Baron. As
soon as this gentleman came into
the castle he began to talk about
his Heavenly Father in terms that
chilled the old mans blood, on
which the Baron reproved him, say
ing, Are you not afraid of offend
ing God, whoreigns above, by speak
liz al GAtCll IL lIcslliitA
The gentleman said he knew
nothing about God, for he had never
seen him.
The baron did not notice at this
time what the gentleman said, but
the next morning took occasion first
to show him a beautiful picture
which hung on the wall,
My son drew that picture" )" said
the Baron.
Then your son is a very clever
gentleman" replied the gentleman.
Then the Baron went with the
visitor into the garden and showed
him many beautiful plants.
Who has the ordering of the gar
dcn?" asked the gentleman.
My son. =" replied the Baron; ''he
knows every plant, l may say, from
the cedar OF Lebanon to hyssop on
the wall"
Indeed" =" said the gentleman, Il
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 establish
cd 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 happy and innocent that the
Frenchman 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 a good son"
How do you know l have q good
son.
Because I have seen his works, |
and l know that he must be both |
clever and good if he has done all |
YOU have shown me"
But you have not seen him.
No; but | know him very well |
because l judge of him by his work
You do: and please now draw
near this window, and tell me what !
you observe from hence"
Why. l saw the sun travelling /
through the sky shedding its glories /
over one Of the greatest countries in !
the world and I behold a mighty 1
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 /
here and there
And do YOU see anything TO be /
admired in all this Is there any
thing pleasant, or lovely in all that
is spread before you?'
DO you think that | want COM
mon sense, or that | have lost the
use Of my eyes, my friend ?" said the
gentleman, somewhat angrily, that
I should not be able to relish such a
charm 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 Inc never hear you my
good friend, say that YOU know not
God. unless you would have me
suppose that YOU have not the use