TS.]

Mr. Beal, finding the Class interested, continued the subject by some
account of one of the most popular writers of German songs.

HEINE.

The songs of Heine are unmatched in German literature, and have been
translated into all European tongues. Their beauty of expression,
and suggestive and evasive meanings, have made them household
words in Germany, and favorite quotations in France and England.

The career of Heine was exceptionably brilliant, and he won tributes
of admiration that have seldom been equalled. It is said that on the
appearance of his "Reisebilder" in 1826-31, "young Germany became
intoxicated with enthusiasm." His writings on republicanism not only
won the heart of the people, but carried his influence into other
countries.

From his youth Heine was troubled by thoughts of personal religious
responsibility. There were periods when he earnestly sought to know
man's true relations to God. He sought the evidence of truth,
however, more from nature, philosophy, and history, than by the
prayers and the faith which God's Word inculcates.

He was born a Jew, but abandoned Judaism and was baptized in the
Lutheran Church. Then he became a free-thinker. He studied various
philosophies and systems of belief, but was not able to arrive at
any satisfactory conclusions.

In 1847 he was attacked by a strange disease. It paralyzed his body,
and confined him for many years to his chair. For seven years he was
propped up by pillows, and read his praises on a couch of suffering,
and they made his life more sad.

"What good," he said, in despair, "does it do me to hear that my
health is drunk in cups of gold, when I can only wet my lips with
barley-water?"

In this condition he read "Uncle Tom's Cabin." It revealed to him
the truth that religion is a matter of experience rather than
philosophy, and that the humblest may receive the evidence of its
truth through simple faith in Christ.

"With all my learning," he said, "the poor negro knew more about
religion than I do now, and I must come to a knowledge of the truth
in the same humble way as poor Uncle Tom."

He left this testimony in his will: "I have cast aside all
philosophical pride, and have again felt the power of religious
truth."

I will recite to you one of the songs of Heine, which is popular
among the German students.

THE LORELEI.

I know not whenc