The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18
" The Feast of Cherries ,.

The terrible business of war, with its
cruelty and suffering, the clash of wea-
pons and dreadful shedding of blood is
something with which little folk might
well fancy they could have nothing to
do. But there was one war in the olden
time in which the children not only
played an important part, but through
them great city was saved from des-
truction, and a long and cruel war
brought to an end
Some of you who have Travelled may
be familiar with the great city Of Ham
burg in Germany, and know its streets
and palaces, its beautiful gardens, and
the active and industrious people who
dwell there. 1t is very old city, and
in the days long gone by it was attacked
many times by its enemies, and Ong and
bitter were the struggles of the inhabi
tants with the armies that sought to 6es.
troy their beautiful town. In the year
1882 it was surrounded by a great
Hustle army, and the commander, Pro-
copius the Great, had been SO successful
in defeating the German troops in battle
that he felt quite sure the city could
only offer feeble resistance, and that
very soon he could march through it's
streets at the head of his victorious
soldiers. For years the war had lasted
and one town after another had been
taken, so Procopius formed an encamp.
ment about its walls, and sat quietly
down to await the movement of surren-
der.
Within the city there was terrible con-
- l. L Al
drawn up in front of it's gates, and knew
that for short time only could they
hope to resist the besiegers. What
shall we do? they cried. "There is
none to sucoor Us. We and our wives
and our children must perish with hun
ger and thirst within the walls of the
city, or the men must 90 forth to be slain
by the sword"
Suddenly some one cried The chill
dren the children Behold, they can
save us"
But what can the children do ?" cried
another. They are young and tender
They cannot fight, neither can they
create food that we may not starVe."
But this was not the intention of the
speaker.
Let the gates be opened, " he cried,
and let the children go forth. Let the
elder ones take the little ones by the
hand, and the tender youths the babes
and the infants, and let them pass out
before our conquerors Soldiers are but
men, and their hearts are often gentle
Let the children 90, and their hearts will
be melted they will do them no harm,
neither Will they destroy US"
And 80 it was arranged. You can
imagine how desperate their strait must
have been, how they must have suffered,
before the fathers and mothers would try
such a desperate scheme, would allow
the little ones to leave their shelterinp
arms and pass out into the presence of
the rough men whose business it was to
destroy and kill.
Fancy the surprise of the conquering
army az they saw the gates of the city
swing open, and through those frowning
portals come, not bands of soldiers carry
ing weapons and urging their steeds for.
ward, but q long line Of little children
On they came in an endless procession
every one clad in white, the elder ones
leading the way, and the tiny toddlers
clingng to their hands wondering what
the strange scene meant, and why they
we're thus sent forth alone, leaving home
and friends and parents behind