Year: 1873

TALE OF THE BLACK FOREST.


Many years ago there lived in a village
near the famous Black Forest a WORTHY
old pastor. His life had been spent il
doing good, in helping the poor, and cor,
1ortlng the unhappy and now in his old
age be was calmly waiting for the sum-
mons to his eternal home. Wishing while
still able to travel, to visit widowed sis
ter, who with her children lived at a con-
siderable distance, and to give them n
small sum OF money which he had saved,
he set out one fne autumn morning, hop
ing to arrive before nightfall at his sisters
cottage. His path lay through portion
of the forest; and as he looked up to the
clear blue sky, visible through the still
thickl covered branches, his heart rose
in Thanksgiving to the God of Nature,
who had SO graciously preserved him so
many years. Suddenly no was surrounded
by band of fierce-looking men, who
seemed to have sprung from the ground,
and who with threatening words demanded
his money.


Trembling, he delivered up his little
travelling bag, telling them to take all he
had. After emptying it Of the few arti-
cles 1T contained, the chief of the robbers
seized him roughly, and asked whether he
had any valuables on his person. Still
trembling; he answered NO" With q
scornful laugh the robber set him free.-
Fear seemed to have quickened his steps,
and sooner than he had believed it posi-
BILE he found himself on the outskirt of
the wood, and not far from his sisters
dwelling, whore he hoped in the pleasure
Of the meeting to forget his misfortune.


Then for the first time he thought of
the money which lie carried inside his
black velvet cap. He said to himself, sit
is certainly sin to steal, but it is also a
sin to tell lie. Am not as bad as they
how could die happily with lie on my
fnSxy y.
Liberation, he turned back, determined
that, cost what it would, he would restore
peace to his mind by telling tie robbers
what he had done.


The moon had risen before he reached
the spot where he had been attacked, and
by its light he saw several of tho band
sitting ON the ground, smoking their long
meerschaums, and laughing over the cou-
tents of his knapsack, which lay near.-
One of them held in his hand a silver
bound and clasped prayer book, one of
the few family relics the old paster had
asunder. AT this moment he perceived
the old man, who advancing to him,
said in timid voice: 81 have come back
to tell you that am guilty of lie. In
saying that had no other propety about
me, l did pot remember, in my fear at
being attacked, that carried a few gold
pieces in the lining OF my cap, which had |
carefully saved for my poor sister. But 1 |
would rather die than have a lie on nv
conscience, so have come to give you the |
money. Here it is," he said, taking it
out of his cap.


None of them dared to even touch it. so
much were they surprised at this strange
man, who seemed to them almost a SUPER
natural being. Seeing the impression be
had made on them, he continued, in a
solemn tone, "I have lived long, and ex-
pect soon to stand before the Judge of
I ~, |
my hand, for Gods Word says we must
neither lie nor deceive. 1t is sad thing
to live without God, and more terrible still
to die without him /; but worst of all, to
be forever baniahed from his presence


Some Of the men endeavored to make a
guilty conscieDces accused them of habit
aaliy disobeyinng the command, "Thou
shalt not steaI." Silently they returned
every article they had taken from the old
man, who, with tears in his eyes, and in a
Fow heartfelt words, exhoI ted them to re-
pent of their evil ways before it was too
late. Believe me-" said he, .'when
became conscious of my sin, was miser-
able till 1 repented and sought forgive
ness then peace returned to my SOUL {
ou too are sinners but if you turn and
seek God, truly, you have pardon and
eternity of happiness" Then surrounded :
~ them all, he prayed aloud, gave them :
lis blessing and departed. !
During the remainder of his journey it c
eemed to him as if the dark wood was 3
hanged into a pleasant garden his heart 9
vas so full Of holy and happy thoughts. t
lis sister and her children received him
oyfully, and provided him with the rest y =
nd refreshment he SO much needed after
is long and eventful journey. Till his '
eath, which took place not many months c
fter, he never omitted to pray for that a
Vild robber-band. and he cherished the t
ope that the occurrence of that day, and i
he words he had spoken, might be the $
ause of turning even one among them to =
new and better life.-Young Crusader. n


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