Part 10 (2/2)
Round me when death's fiery tempest is rus.h.i.+ng, When from my veins the red currents are gus.h.i.+ng, To Thee, O my G.o.d, do I yield me.
Father, I call to Thee.
_Theo. Korner_.
LESSON x.x.xIV
FRANKLIN'S TOAST
Long after Was.h.i.+ngton's judicious and intrepid conduct in respect to the French and English had made his name familiar to all Europe, Dr.
Franklin chanced to dine with the English and French amba.s.sadors, when the following toasts were given:--
The British amba.s.sador, rising, said: ”England,--the sun whose bright beams enlighten and fertilize the remotest corners of the earth.”
The French amba.s.sador, glowing with national pride, but too polite to dispute the previous toast, said: ”France,--the moon whose mild, steady, and cheering rays are the delight of all nations, consoling them in darkness, and making their dreariness beautiful.”
Dr. Franklin then arose, and, with his usual dignified simplicity, said: ”George Was.h.i.+ngton,--the Joshua who commanded the sun and moon to stand still, and they obeyed him.”
LESSON x.x.xV
HUMANITY REWARDED
Joseph the Second, Emperor of Germany, once received a pet.i.tion in favor of a poor old officer, with a family of ten children, who was reduced to the utmost poverty.
After making inquiries respecting the man, and satisfying himself of his worth, the Emperor determined to judge of his necessities by personal observation.
Accordingly he went alone to the house of the officer, whom he found seated at table, with eleven children around him, dining upon vegetables of his own planting.
The Emperor, who was disguised as a private citizen, after some general conversation with the officer, said: ”I heard you had ten children, but I see here eleven.”
”This,” replied the officer, pointing to one, ”is a poor orphan, whom I found at my door. I have endeavored to obtain for him the a.s.sistance of persons who could better afford to provide for him, but have not been able to succeed; and of course, I could do no better than share my little portion with him.”
The Emperor, admiring the generous humanity of the poor man, immediately made himself known to him, and said, ”I desire that all these children may be my pensioners, and that you will continue to give them examples of virtue and honor.
”I grant you one hundred florins per annum. for each, and also, an addition of two hundred florins to your pension. Go tomorrow to my treasurer, where you will receive the first quarter's payment, together with a lieutenant's commission for your eldest son. Henceforth I will be the father of all the family.”
LESSON x.x.xVI
WORK PROCLAIMS A WORKMAN
A certain baron had an only son, who was not only a comfort to his father, but a blessing to all who lived on his father's land. Once, when the young man was away from home, a gentleman called to see his father, and using the name of G.o.d irreverently, the good old baron reproved him.
”Are you not afraid,” said he, ”of offending the great Being who reigns above, by thus using His name in vain?” The gentleman said he neither feared nor believed in a being he could not see.
The next morning the baron showed the gentleman a beautiful painting that adorned his hall. The gentleman admired the picture very much, and, when told by the baron that his son painted it, said: ”Your son is an excellent painter.”
The baron then took his visitor into the garden, and showed him many beautiful flowers, arranged in the most perfect order. ”Who has the direction of this garden?” said the gentleman. ”My son,” said the baron. ”Indeed,” said the gentleman; ”I begin to think he is something uncommon.”
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