tones; and feels that He is just as necesary to its happy being as these The image, and the mighty idea with it, are silently nestled in its heart to remain there as the complement of its life. This impression will be there in later life to protest against all motions of sin, or suggestions of unbelief. This image will move before it as its "life star." The memory of this image will be the fragrance of its earliest and best feelings. It will remain as the shrine of childhood, to which the man will ever after love to return as to the purest and best state this side of Heaven. To the end of life, and in all heavy hours, "Pictured in memory's mellowy glass," will the man behold with deep emotion and ever fresh comfort, the infant Jesus whom he loved in his own infancy. Can it be for one moment imagined that the spirits of little children could be moulded into such a sacred and lasting bias toward piety, if Christ were not known as an infant-if the mysterious power of His infancy were not in the world! Could an adult Saviour reign with the same effect over infant life? Who, after deep and serious reflection, will say this! It would be the same as to present to an infant an adult image instead of a doll, to please it in its play. The law of the infant mind must be respected-it cannot be set aside. He, who in becoming incarnate, has condescended to our infirmities, from the same necessity of adaptation became an infant to infants, that he might be their high priest, becoming in all points like as they are, except sin. We say the law of the infant mind and beart cannot be ignored. Do we not naturally and always arrest the attention of children, and entertain them with most success by objects in miniature-little books, little cottages, little houses and wagons, little watches, little dishes for the table. This fact reveals a deep law-a law which is the key to the mysterious meaning of our Saviour's infancy. They are instructed and moulded, not so much by words as by this model infant. They are under the tuition not of the written word, but of the incarnate Word —and this word abbreviated-in minature-the "babe divine"-the "Infant God." Thus that holy child-the seed of the woman-is property pictured as a hero, an infant hero with its heel upon the Serpent's head! A hero!-but how unlike those who are so regarded in the eyes of the world. A hero who conquers meekly and silently-who dose not cry nor lift up his voice in the street. A hero who subdues without sword: who aims first, not at capitals and walled cities, but at parental and infant hearts. Who marshals mothers and infants. Who moves from infancy to youth, manhood and old age-from individuals to families, communities, nations, empires, and at last over the world, with a power silent as leaven-subduing all to himself by sweet restraint-making the conquered to love him-and filing their hearts with gratitude and praise to the gentle power that has won them. UTILITARIANISM. 'Behold," says man, "all things are for my use;" ALONE AT THE RENDEZVOUS. (SEE ENGRAVING) Ir was a rural ride, beyond doubt, which she had engaged to take with her friends on a pleasant summer day. The hour and the place of meeting had been fixed; and she was punctually on the spot, while her companions were behind time. This fact greatly elevates her in our estimation, and forces us to think less of them. Why were they not there? Was it that careless and lazy habit into which some persons are prone to fall, which brings them always to their appointments after the time? This it may have been-this it perhaps was. But what a miserable habit it is! There is no use in lecturing to them, as they are not present; and this latter fact is greatly in their favor. For were they present, not in the least would the fact that they are ladies soften down the sharp words that would be delivered unto them. What right have they to forget their promise; and thereby cause disappointment, and those sad looks of loneliness which move us to sympathy. See! She is in a deep reverie. Her head of heaviness has sunken on the back of her hand. Her whip has fallen-her dog has lain down in lonely wonder. Even her noble horse looks weary under his lovely load. She is afraid to dismount in a lonely place; for who knows what may be near her. Who can tell whether the man, but faintly seen beyond the dark trees, is a friend or a foe. What right have the careless girls to bring their companion into such a perplexing situation? None at all. It is neither lady-like, nor can even friendship excuse it without an exercise of meekness beyond what most of persons possess. It is likely, however-indeed, we must conclude from her countenance, calm even in disappointments, that she will not chide them when they come. She would rather bear injury in silence than speak harshly to her friends. For this, the more, do we wish they were present, that we might read to them a useful chapter ourselves. We are greatly provoked at their bad manners! Let ladies, and gentlemen too, bear in mind the hour of their appointments; and thus keep up their own credit, while they save the feelings of their friends. How much time has been lost-how much pleasure has been sacrificed -how much important business has been deferred and even left undone, by this careless dragging habit. It is not merely a matter of politeness to be punctual; it is a moral virtue-and to violate such promises is sin. A person who wishes to act conscientiously in all things will act so also in this. It is morally wrong, by delay, to rob others of the time which it may be necessary for them to wait on the dilatory. Look at our sad lady, ye slow lines, that always come after time! Even if they do come at last, will not much of her joy in the rural ride have been destroyed? She came for pleasure; and the fact of her punctuality shows how much her heart was in the ride, and how great was the joy she expected to realize in it. For joy you have brought her pain! We are getting out of humor; while we muse the fire burns; and hence we bring our reflections to a close. But we must ask our young readers to learn a useful lesson from our beautiful engraving. Do you wish to retain the kindly feelings of your friends; do you desire to cultivate a beautiful virtue? then study to be punctually in your place at the appointed hour. THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO. AT the last annual meeting of the German Reformed Synod, held at Harrisburg, Pa., the venerable Rev. D. Willers, of Fayette, N. Y., was present. It had been known to the ministers and elders present that he had been, in his youth, in the memorable Battle of Waterloo, fought between the allied army under Wellington, and the French under Napoleon, on the 18th of June, 1815. Many were desirous of hearing from the lips of an intelligent soldier, a familiar account of that noted Battle. His modesty allowed him to consent only on condition that it should be as a familiar talk in regard to it with his friends. Accordingly he entertained about thirty of the members of Synod who were present for the space of between one and two hours, in a most interesting, often eloquent, and thrilling account of that fearful scene of battle and blood. At our request he has kindly consented to write it out for The Guardian. Though many of our readers may have read the accounts of it given in history, it must prove interesting to have it from the stand-point of a private soldier-and especially from one so venerable and worthy, who has since, not merely as a private soldier, but as a leader of "God's sacramental host," fought the spiritual Battle of the Lord, and has long since preached with great sincerity and zeal that gospel which is destined ultimately to "make all wars to cease !" ED. GUARDIAN. FAYETTE, December 8, 1859. Reverend and Dear Brother: In agreement with your request to give you a description of the Battle of Waterloo, and my experience in the battle, for The Guardian, I hereby fulfill the demands of a friend, cheerfully and with great pleasure. Lord Byron has given a poetical sketch of the night before the battle of Waterloo. This, however, is a poetical fiction. The Duke of Brunswick is there represented as attending a dance, whilst in reality he was then no more amongst the living. He fell already on the 16th of June, 1815, foremost in the battle; and in forty-eight hours his body was brought to Brunswick, his capitol. The heads and leaders of divisions, under English command, brought already their forces together on the 15th of June. If the nobles and commanders were yet, on the 17th of June, at Brussels, the commanders of divisions then moved without the command of Lord Wellington, the commander-in-chief; or, as is more creditable, they must have moved by his orders, and he was acquainted with the movements of Napoleon. On the 15th of June, at noon, when we were sitting at our dinner tables, the bugle-horn sounded the alarm, and we were called to the captain's quarters. We were then stationed at Horrues, a village in Flanders, about eight French or twenty-four English miles from Brussels. In one hour the battalion of Colonel Laucerer was under arms, and ready to advance to the headquarters of General-Lieutenant Von Alten, which was at Soignees. The sky was clear, the weather warm, and traveling comfortable. Music, which was really delightful, and war songs made the afternoon pass away quickly, though there was yet no idea amongst the soldiery that we were advancing to the battle ground. Whilst the evening sun was gilding the oak trees and the tops of the hills and church steeples, prophesying a clear day for the morrow, and under the departure of his last beams, we reached Soignees. In and about this pleasant and peaceable village, Von Alten drew his forces together, consisting of cavalry, artillery, and infantry, amounting to 15,000 men. The infantry was composed of six battalions, under the command of Major General Kielmansegge, namely, the battalions of Bremen, Verden, Calenberg, Osnabruck, Grubenhagen and Luneburg. Each battalion numbered about six hundred men, besides the officers, sergeants, music, etc. Our battalion of Bremen was lodging, a part of the night, in the large and spacious Roman Catholic Cathedral. When martial law is declared even the churches come under the control of the commanding general. But it can be said to the honor of the Hanovrian troops, that nothing was molested in the church. A feeling of the sacredness of that place was ever visible, though no command was given to protect the sanctity of that place. It is a wrong idea that there is no fear of God amongst the soldiery. Though there are many examples of profaness and wickedness in an army, yet there are always noble examples of religious characters. The Bible represents to us some military examples worthy of imitation, as in the Centurion Luke VII. and the royal men (John iv,) who believed in Christ with his whole house. As good men are every where to be found where the christian religion is propagated, so even at royal courts, of which, in modern times, we need only to mention the royal house of Prussia. The evening of the 15th, however, was spent in the cathedral in a busy manner; for rations of bread and meat were divided for four successive days. This made the burden of each soldier heavier, for, besides their knapsacks containing their necessary clothing and their blankets, they had yet to carry their hatchets and their kettles, to cut and cook their meals, and also sixty cartridges. The division of rations was finished by nine o'clock, and then the union of many bugle-horns sounded the retreat. Alas! it was an important retreat, for before another retreat was sounded on the evening of the 19th of June, many thous ands were numbered among the dead, and their bodies scattered over the large battle-field. The retreat commanded silence, and soon after a midnight silence reigned in the large cathedral, whilst the streets were kept lively by horsemen, wagons, and the night patrols. However the silence in the church lasted only till midnight. At twelve o'clock the bugles sounded To arms! In a few minutes we left the church, and were set en route for Nivelle. There was but little conversation in the ranks during the rest of the night, and after daylight we marched on uninterrupted till eight o'clock in the morning. A halt was then made for about half an hour, when every man could take refreshments from the stock of his provisions. After eating, the march was renewed. The road became very dusty, and the load of provisions was burdensome, so that the largest portion of the infantry left their provisions behind, by the wayside. Finally, much fatigued, we arrived at Nivelle, at 12 o'clock. This neat Holland village was well paved and the streets clean, which is a characteristic of Dutch villages. The inhabitants in Flanders commonly speak the French language. The heat of the 16th made it desirable that the thirsty legions should be watered, and the large market place or public square offered a fine opportunity for this object. While several thousand troops surrounded this place, who, after quenching their thirst, had to make room for others, their demands could soon be satisfied. In the midst of the market place was a large well, pointing to the north, east, south and west. On each of these four sides were three lion's heads, so that the pump sent forth Adam's ale at once from twelve places. The inhabitants of this place were very kind to us, for they brought us all kinds of provisions. They knew that we were to be their defenders, and that we were preparing for battle; for here we heard, for the first time, a distant roaring, resembling the rumbling of wagons or the rolling of thunder. After half an hour's time for resting and refreshment, we commenced our march again, directed to "Quatrebras." But before we arrived there, at two o'clock, on an elevated field, we were encamped for a short time, awaiting orders from head-quarters. In an encampment the officers are provided with tents, whilst the soldiers live in temporary huts, regularly put up by companies. Four men live together, and cook together. They have four blankets. Two are used for the building, supported on their opposite sides by two muskets and bayonets, whilst the two other blankets are used at night, one below on the ground, and the other on the top as a cover for the men. The blankets for the hut are on the sides fastened to the ground by pegs and cords. Young reader, be thankful to your heavenly Father that, under Divine protection, you enjoy the fruits of peace and the necessary commodities of human life. We shall resume our history in the next number. A Village Tailor in the south of Spain The judge to spare their tailor's life once more: |
