The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-10-29
The Emperor and the Psalm


In the year 1912, Stephen Grellet,
who was then travelling at his own
charges as an evangelist, in connection
with the Society of Friends, spent six
months in Russia, and he happened to be
In the capital when the panic seized the
people consequent on the news gaining
currency that Napoleon, with the French
army, was at Moscow. In those days
there were many persons of high rank
attached to the court of the pious Alex
ander l., who were the Saviour's disciples
indeed, and among these was Stephen
Grellets friend, Prince Alexander Galit-
Yin. While the Emperor, who was quite
as agitated as his subjects, was busy look
ing after the troops who were to oppose
the invaders, Prince Galitzin was as cool
and undisturbed as ever he had been in
his life; and happening to have some
repairs in progress at his palace, he con.
tinued to attend to the workmen as
though nothing unusual was in the wind.
Some even insinuated that he must be
disloyal, or unpatriotic, and the Emperor
himself was anxious for an explanation.
-" Galitzin, what are you doing?" he
said. What means all this Every
one prepares to flee, and you are build
ing"
ooh, l am here in as sure a place OF
safety as any could flee to-, replied the
prince. The Lord is my defence, in
him trust"
" Whence have you such confidence p
asked the monarch. Who assures you
of it?"
" l feel it in my heart, and it is also in
this divinely inspired volume" answered
the other, as he directed his masters at
tenticn to the Book ITSELF
1t so happened that the volume acct
dentally fell from the princes hand, but
without becoming closed. 1t lay open at
Psalm Ninety one, and by the Emperor
permission Galitzin read the passage
aloud. Grellet tells us how Alexander l.
stood for while like man astonished,"
and then repaired to the cathedral to
attend short service before leaving with
the soldiers. Psalm Ninety-one was
again read in his hearing by the officiat-
ing minister, and after the service the
latter was asked why he had selected
that particular chapter. The minister
replied that nobody had directed him,
but that he had prayed over the matter
to have portion OF Scripture suggest
ed such as would encourage the Emperor
heart; hence he apprehended that what
he had read was Gods message. The
Emperor then went off with the army,
and, feeling the heavy responsibility
resting on his shoulders, he desired in the
evening to have something from the Bible
read to him. Without any direction, the
person appointed to do this service turned
at once to Psalm Ninety.one.
"Who told you to read this ?" asked
the Emperor, probably feeling by this
time that the guardian angels were &C
tually about his path. Has Galitzin
told you"
The reader declared he had held no
communication with the prince; but on
hearing that he should have to read to
the Emperor he had prayed to be directed
to the right passage, and the consequence
was he had selected that particular psalm
Its fitness for the occasion had commend
ed it to all alike
"The Emperor felt astonished at this, -
says Stephen Grellet, land paid the
greater attention to what was read, be-
lieving that this must be of the Lord g or
dering; he was therefore very solemnly
and tenderly impressed and from that
time he determined, morning and even
ing, to read privately chapter in the
Bible. "-Su'eday at Home.
Life in st. Petersburg.