Year: 1863

Ailrr rraSSurlng llenrlcli, the KING told
him that he was prepared to do what he
could to push him forward III the pro-
tessiun he had chosen. But first, he
said, i must hear YOU preach On sun,
day next, therefore. You shall preach be-
fore me, but mind, ! shall choose the
text. You may retire


By the time Heinrich Meyer reached
hi own room IN the mn. he had fixed IN
hI> mind the fact that lac was tu preach
10 the king The fact was only 100 clral
and all lac could do was Iu set about has
sermon as soon As lac should have been
furnished with text For the remain
der of the day lie never stirred our; every
step on the stair was tu his ears the bear
er oi the text.


Nevertheless. evening and night pas
ed, and the next day was far advanced
but still no text.


What was to be done, There was only
two days before Sunday! He must &c
and consult the Marshal but the latter
could give him no further information; al
he could do was to promise that, If the
king sent the text through him, II should
be forwarded with the utmost possible
dispatch.


y
Heinrich heard nothing from either king
or Marshal Only un official intimatiOu
had been sent. as was customary, that he
had been selected as The preacher on the
following Sunday at the chapel royal.


Ii it had not been that Heinrich knew
himself to possess no mean powers of or.
atory, and that he could even extempo
rize in case OF emergency, lie would have
certainly run away from Berlin and ab
jured his discovered cousin. As it was
he abided the course of events. ana torti
fled himself 10y prayer and philosophy foi
the momentous hour. Sunday morning
arrived. but no text


Heinrich went to the church appointed
and was conducted 10 the sesI always sci
apart for the preacher of that day. The
king, with the royal family, occupied
their accustomed places.


The services commenced. but no text.
the prayers were ended, and while the
organ pealed forth lis solemn sounds, the
preacher was led to the pulpit The con
gregation was astonished, not only at his
youthiulness, but at his being an utter
stranger.


The pull pit steps were gained, snd the
tia ought flashed across Henrich's mind
that possibly he should fiud the text
placed for him on the desk.


But, as he WIS on the point of mount
ing the stairs, an officer of the royal house
hold delivered 10 him folded piece OF
paper, saving. His majesty sends you the
text


After having recited the preliminary
pray ers, the preacher opened the paper.
10 l.
written on it, What was To be done.-
Heinrich deliberately examined the white
sheet, and after II short pause. held itup
before the congregation. saying: His
majesty has furnished the text for my
sermon. But you may perceive that moth
ing whatever Is upon this sheet of paper.
Out OF nothing God created the world;
shall. therefore, take the Creation for the
subject of my discourse this morning


In accordance with this decision. The
preacher went through the whole of the
first chapter of Genesis in masterly way
his style being forcible and clear. and his
tiuency of language remarkable.


His audience, accustomed to the kiug's
eccentricities, were far more astonished
at the dexterity with which the preacher
had extracated himself from the difficulty
that at the dilemma in which he had been
placed At last the sermon was ended.
the congregation dismissed, and Heinrich
found himself in the sacristy receiving
the congratulations of several dignitaries
of the church, who all prOlhesied for
him brilliant future.


Heinrich ventured to ex Iress his amaze
ment at the singular proceeding OF the
king. but was told that he could only have
arrived recently from the provinces. it he
did not know that such Yagaries were
quite common to his majesty. In the
midst of the conversation messenger ar
rived to conduct him to the royal pres
enee. Being totally unaware what i'm
preston his sermon might have made up
on the king, the cousin seeker rather
dreaded the approaching audience. But
Heinrich had scarcely crossed the thres
hold of the kings room when his majesty
jumped up, and thrust roll of paper into
the young preachers hand, exclaiming,
'Hurra, sir!-putf away!-take this for
the light you gave mel


Then. throwing himself hack in a chair,
he laughed heartily al the young preach
er's look of surprise and confusion. The
latter scarcely knew what reply 10 make
or what to do. but just as he had got far
as Your majesty the king interrupt
ed him; saying. Make no fine speeches;
60 home quietly and examine the contents
of the paper. You came to Berlin toseek
a cousini you have found one. who. if
you go on steadily, will not neglect you


1t is hardly necessary to add that the
roll of paper contained a good appoint
ment at the University of Berlin, and
made Heinrich Meyer one OF the royal
preachers.