The Virginian

Frederick the Great.—A Prussian clergyman applied to Frederick the Great for his permission to preach in his chapel, and at the same time begged that he would honor him with his presence. His majesty thought it presumptuous in a minister to ask such a favour, he nevertheless granted his request, and told him he would give him a text. and that he should preach on the following Sunday. The clergyman waited with anxiety from day to day for the subject, as he of course wished to make an appropriate sermon; but Sunday morning came and no text ; he, however went to the pulpit with the intention of preaching one of his old discourses, thinking the King had forgotten his agreement. His Majesty came into the chapel soon after, and sent the divine a letter which he opened and read : The contents were—"The enclosed is your text ; you will preach immediately." He opened the slip of paper alluded to. when to his great astonishment, he found it a complete blank, he held it out for the congregation to look at, and said " Here is nothing." and then turning it, " and there is nothing ; and out of nothing were created heaven and earth." Then quoting a verse from the first chapter of Genesis, he preached a sermon from it extempore. The King was so delighted with the general presence of mind the clergyman displayed, that he made him his almoner from that day.