RURAL PLEASURES. JOHN SHIM At Shinglotown there is a gap Through which a mountain stream descends; And through this gap, along the stream A rough and ragged path extends. Along that path on summer days ' You oft may find young loving friends, The murmur of that little brook To these young friends is most sublime, And nature's breath from pines and ferns Inspires the weak steep hills to climb. Great rhododendrons pink and red Make bright the path In summer time. Oft parties linger on these bills Until the day has almost fled, That lover, wishing most to please, Seeks far and wide for brightest red,— In rhododendron blossoms rare As prudence in his youthful head. In early spring he tramps alone Whore trails arbutus under snow. Sweet is the fragrance of this flower, But soon a maiden's heart will know That sweeter is the freight of love It bears from him who saw It grow. What though it bears this hidden charm These lovers cannot fail to see The beauty of its blushing grace,— Fond emblem of simplicity. They draw from nature's heart a love Than which no purer love can be. GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS. One of the most important episodes in the his tory of Christianity and one which was all import ant in settling the uncertain state of the European nations of the seventeenth century, is that which relates to the conquests and wonderful victories of Gustavus Adolphus. In the midst of the doubt and dread and hesita• tion which for so many years had brooded over the religion of Europe, after the people had been brought to look upon the catholic faith with doubt, caused by the wonderful writings of Luth er and the terrible persecutions which those of the new faith had undergone at its hand, the Snow King came to the relief of the Protestants saying, "The religion of my people shall be the protestant religion and all Protestants shall be THg FREg LANCg. protected by them." He, while many others renounced their new found faith for fear of persecution and loss of posi tion, stood firm, believing that the only way to re main firm in the face of so much opposition was to take an aggressive stand against catholicism and force all the obstacles in the way of protestant ism to the wall. .And under the base of the Em pire he accomplished his purpose. Pure patriotism, unselfish benevolence, unflinch ing integrity and an unwavering will to accom plish his purpose, together with an undying love for his religion and his people, were the marked characteristics of Gustavus Adolphus. As a ruler he was loved and obeyed by his peo • pie, as a general he was prudent, honest and res olute. He maintained the strictest discipline among his soldiers, who were devoted to their leaders. During his campaign he might be seen holding prayers in camp, night and morning, sharing every hardship with the meanest private and every danger with the bravest. He treated his enemies with humanity, and re spected the rights of the inhabitants of that coun try. Such was the man who appeared as the Protes tant champion. At first he vas laughed at and disregarded, but when in less than a year he had met and defeated the best general of the Emperor and taken eighty towns and fortresses, their laugh ter turned to tears. Even the battle in which he met his death was a victory for the Protestants. The morning of May 6th broke foggy, but when the mists rose each army could distinctly see the other. At ten o'clock the Swedes are seen kneeling in their ranks in prayer. Then may be heard on the morn ing air Luther's famous hymn, "Ein feste Burgist unsey Gott." No sooner have the last notes died away than Gustavus Adolphus is seen leading the charge against the e; - .emy. The tide of battle sways to and fro until the Imperialists are rein forced. At this moment Adolphus falls mortality wounded and the day seems lost. But no, for as
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