The Prince And The Serfs.


MANY years ago, there was a little boy

named Alexander. He was the son of

Nicholas, the mighty emperor of the Russias.

In his father's empire there were many

millions of poor people who were called

serfs. These were kept in a state much

 resembling slavery, and were sold with the

lands on which they lived. Many of them

were poor and wretched; some few were

prosperous and wealthy; but all were under

the control of the lords on whose territories

they dwelt.

One day Nicholas noticed that little Alexander

looked very sad and thoughtful,

and asked him what he was thinking of.

"Of the poor serfs," replied the little

boy, "and when I become emperor I will

emancipate them."

This reply startled the emperor and his

courtiers; for they were very much opposed

to all such plans for the improvement of

the condition of the poor. They asked little

Alexander how he came to think of doing

this, and what led him to feel so interested

for the serfs. He said, "From reading

the Scriptures and hearing them enforced,

which teach that all men are brothers."

The emperor said very little to his boy

on the subject, and it was hoped that the

influences and opinions which prevailed in

the royal court, would gradually correct

the boyish notions of the young prince.

But this expectation was vain. The early

impressions of the little boy grew deeper

and stronger, and when at last the great

Nicholas died, and Alexander was placed

upon his father's throne, he called the wise

statesmen of the land to his councils, and

a plan of emancipation was formed, and

the imperial decree went forth, which abolished

serfdom throughout all the Empire.

It is in this way that God works wonders

by the power of his word. The great

fact that God had "made of one blood all

nations of men for to dwell on all the face

of the earth," lodged like an incorruptible

seed in the heart of the young prince, and

growing with his growth, and strengthening

with his strength, at last budded and

blossomed, and brought forth the fruit of

blessing for millions of the human race.





H. L. H. in the Christian.