nsecrated
cranium.

"'But of all the relics of which we ever read, some Germans who
visited Italy in search of these precious mementos received the most
remarkable.

"'One of these gentlemen, having applied to an ecclesiastic for some
memento of Scripture history which he could take back to Germany, was
both astonished and delighted by receiving a carefully prepared
package, which he was assured contained a veritable leg of the ass on
which was made the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the people
strewed palm branches in the way and shouted hosannas.

"'He was enjoined to keep the treasure a secret until he reached home,
which injunction he scrupulously obeyed.

"'Arriving in Germany, he disclosed to his four companions the
wonderful relic. They were much surprised, for each had been secretly
intrusted with the same remarkable treasure. So it appeared that the
ass had _five_ legs, which, of itself, would have been something of a
miracle.

"'Whether these wiseacres ever visited the Latin kingdom in search of
relics again I am not apprised.'

"Cologne is full of relics. The people regard them with reverence;
they serve the purpose of scriptural object-teaching to them. But they
only shock the tourist who has been educated to believe that religion
is a spiritual life, and that Christ's kingdom is a spiritual kingdom,
and not of this world."

* * * * *

Several of the stories related by the boys this evening were
historical.

THE STORY AND LEGEND OF CHARLEMAGNE.

Charles the Great, or Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Roman
Emperor, was born, probably at Aix-la-Chapelle, in 742. His empire
at first embraced the larger part of what is now France and Germany,
but it extended under his wars until at last it nearly filled
Europe, and he wore the crown of Rome and the West. Napoleon, at the
height of his power, governed nearly the whole territory that was
once ruled by the mighty Charlemagne.

He was one of the greatest and wisest men in the history of the
world. He encouraged learning, and opened a school in his palace; he
maintained morality and aimed to spread Christianity throughout the
world.

The Saxons were heathens. They honored a great idol called the
Irmansaul. They were opposed to Charlemagne, and constantly
threatened his frontiers.

Charlemagne invaded their country, overthrew the great image, and
after many struggles reduce