STRIKING


  

A YOUNG German countess who lived about a hundred years ago was a noted unbeliever, and especially opposed to the doctrine of the resurrection. She died when about thirty years of age, and before her death gave orders that her grave should be covered with a solid slab of granite; that around it should be placed square blocks of stone; and that the corners should be fastened to each other and to the granite slab by heavy iron clamps.

Upon the covering this inscription was placed: "This burial-place, purchased to all eternity, must never be opened."

All that human power could do to prevent any change in that grave was done; but a little seed sprouted, and the tiny shoot found its way between the side stone and the upper slab, and grew there, slowly but steadily forcing its way until the iron clamps were torn asunder, and the granite lid was raised, and is now resting upon the trunk of the tree, which is large and flourishing.

The people of Hanover regard it with almost a kind of superstition, and speak in lowest tones of the wicked countess; and it is natural they should, for as I stood beside that grave in the old church-yard, it certainly impressed me more deeply than I can express.




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Path


THE path of life we walk today 

Is strange as that the Hebrews trod;

We need the shadowing rock as they, 

We need, like them, the guides of God.

God send his angels, Cloud and Fire, 

To lead us o'er the desert sand;

God give our hearts their long desire, 

His shadow in a weary land!