lan, he considered right and
justifiable. Herder had become a Protestant, and knew enough about the
truth to be aware that Christians are bound to forgive their enemies.
He also was convinced that the saints cannot hear prayer, that purgatory
is a fiction, and that confession should be made to God and not to man.
But he had no grace in his heart. He prided himself greatly on having
visited old Moretz and expressed himself ready to become his friend.
Moretz, on the other hand, had accepted not only the letter but the
spirit of the gospel. He knew himself by nature to be a sinner. He had
given his heart to God. He desired to please Him by imitating the
example of His blessed Son, and he trusted for salvation alone to the
complete and perfect sacrifice made on the cross.

Moretz soon found that the proposed rebellion had commenced in various
districts, and that already several peasant bands had proceeded to acts
of violence. Immediately he thought that the castle of the Count of
Furstenburg might be attacked, and he accordingly set out to warn him of
the danger. Had he been able to write he would have sent Karl, but he
was sure that his warning would more likely be attended to if he went
himself. He was aware that he ran a great danger if he were to
encounter any of the peasants, who would look upon him, should they
discover his object, as a traitor to their cause. He therefore made his
way across the country, avoiding all public paths, and keeping as much
as possible out of sight of anybody he met. He at length reached the
castle in safety. The count could at first scarcely believe the
information he gave him. It was impossible that the peasants should
dare attack the castles of the nobles. Moretz convinced him, however,
at last. He sat for some time without speaking, while he rested his
head on his hands, bending over the table. His lips were moving in
prayer.

"I will not oppose these poor people," he said, at length. "I will
rather reason with them, and bring them to a knowledge of their error.
If I were to defend the castle I might kill a good many, and perhaps
succeed in driving them away. If I cannot persuade them to give up
their enterprise, I may perhaps come and pay you a visit. I would
rather abandon my castle than slay my fellow-creatures. I am grateful
to you, my friend, for bringing me the warning, as it will give me time
for consideration how to act."

CHAPTER EIGHT.

Moretz retur