The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-09-21
A Brave Soldier.

long DC IN Prussia as one
of the bravcst of those brave soldiers
wko fought under Frederick tho Great
in the Seven Years. War. He was the
hero of many q desperate fight, while, by
his keen foresight and untiring watch
f%ulness, many a hidden danger was dis
covered and averted. In moments of
greatest peril, when q service of un-
wontcd danger had to be performed, Won
Llcthcn was always ready and could
always be relied on.
But Gen. Won Z;cthen was not only a
brave and faithful soldier in the service
OF his earthly king, he was something
far higher and noblcr, because he
he was o Christian-a true and valiant
soldier of Jesus Christ.
Many q time, when q service of pecu-
liar difficulty or danger was allotted to
him, would he be seen retiring to some
quiet spot, and there the face that never
blanched before a foe would be bowed
in lowly supplication to the King of
kings, and Won Zicthcu would come
forth and take his place at the head of
his hussars, with that look of calm and
quiet confidence which his soldiers
loved to sec.
His wonderful personal courage, as
we'll as his great Kindness of heart and
consideration for others. won the hearts
of both friend and foe. He was es-
pecially beloved by his W soldiers,
among whom he wa known by the pet
name of "Fathcr Ziethen," and although
the free-thinking tendencies of Frederick
the Great are we'll known, and Won
Ziethen wa7 never ashamed to show his
colors rs o Christian, yet there was no
one in whose company the king had
greater pleasure, and his place at the
dinner table, unless royal visitors were
present, was always by Fredcrick's side.
Bishop Eylcrt relates that, ON one occa-
sion, Won Ziethen had declined an
invitation to dine at the royal table on
the plea that he was going to take the
Lords Supper on that day, and desired
to be undisturbed. Soon after he was
again invited to ~Sans-souci, and, in tho
course of conversation tho king, referring
to Won Ziethcn's absence on the former
occasion, made a profane jest about the
Lords Supper, which was hailed with a
burst of laughter by the assembled guests.
Not so, however, with old Won Zeithen,
who rose from his sat, and, bowling
deeply to the king, addressed him in a
clear, firm voice as follows:
"Your Majesty knows that, in battle,
l never feared danger, and, whenever it
was necessary, I was ready to risk my
life for you and the Fatherland. I am
still inspired by the same sentiments,
and if necessary, and you command it,
I shall lay down my grey head at your
feet. But there is One above us who is
greater than you and I-greater than
all men-that is Jesus Christ, the Saw
Jour and Redeemcr of the world, who
died for me, and bought me with the
costly price of His OWN blood. I can
not allow that Blessed One to be Knocked
and dishonorcd, for on Him rest my
faith, my comfort, and my hope in life
and in death. Strong in this confidence,
your brave army has fought and con-
quered, and if your Majesty undermines
this faith you undermine the well-being
of your kingdom"
When the brave old soldier ceased to
speak there was q solemn silence. Not
one of the company had the courage to
reply. The king himself was deeply and
visiDly moved. He rose from his seat,
seized the generals hand, and, laying
the other hand on his shoulder, he said:
"Happy Zicthcn would to God ]
could believe as you do! I have every
respect for your faith. Hold it fast.
This shall not occur again !"
Soon afterwards the king left the table
and asked Won Zeithen to accompany
him to his cabinet. What was the ma
ture Of their private interview is I'M
known, but one thing is certain, that
from that time forward the king treated
him with peculiar attention and tender
ness, and seemed to delight more than
ever in his company. After his death,
the king, when discontinued with the
lax morality which prevailed in tho
army, was heard to exclaim: ssMy old
Zeithen was right! Give me again tho
army that I had in the Seven Years.
Warr"
Christian soldier, be true to our
Heavenly Captain, and never be ashamed
of your colors!
"Whosoever therefore shall confess
Me before men, him will I confess also
before My Father which is in Heaven.
But whatsoever shall deny Me before
men, him will I also deny before My
Father which is in Heaven (Matthew
x. 80, 33). "Be thou faithful unto
death, and 1 will give thee a crown of
life" Revelation ii. 10).
No simple emotion of the soul can be
indicated in any other way than by stat
Inn tho iro,pootonoo ,,nloc x,b3ok -