to him, and urged that he had said no more than what others would have thought of in the course of the conference.
“For the last time Frederick’s name has been spoken among us. But where shall we turn and what shall we do in this hopeless moment?” the old man asked.
“Let us try depending upon our own strength,” the harper advised.
“We do not know how to use arms,” said the old man, shrugging his shoulders.
“You are mistaken, father, if you think that I would advise the Brethren to shed the blood of their fellow-creatures. I do not mean that we should take the sword to defend our rights, but that our rights should become our sword. I have heard from the most trustworthy lips that the Emperor is preparing a decree which will lighten the tenure service, and that this law is to be followed by other reforms, especially by religious toleration. As we have waited and suffered so long, let us wait a few months longer, and let him begin the work of the promised emancipa-
