When Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, came to the throne, few Bibles existed in his empire, and indifference towards religion almost universally prevailed. A high place in the church soon became vacant, and the emperor appointed his favorite prince, Alexander Galitzin, to fill it. At first the prince declined the appointment, pleading entire ignorance of religion; but the Emperor overruled the objection and Galitzin felt constrained to accept the appointment.
The prince, on his first interview with the venerable Archbishop Platoff, requested him to point out some book which would give him a concise view of the Christian religion, that he might be better qualified for his official duties. The archbishop, rather surprised at the prince's professed ignorance of religion, recommended the Bible. The prince said he could not think of reading that Book.
"'Well," replied the archbishop, "that is the only Book there is, or ever will be, that can give you a correct view of the Christian religion."
"Then I must remain ignorant of it! Reading the Bible is out of the question," was his reply.
The words, however, of the venerable Platoff remained in his mind, and he shortly afterward privately bought and read the Bible. The effects were soon visible. He was not known to be a "Bible reader," and his changed attitudes were viewed with contempt.
In the year 1812, when information reached St. Petersburg that Napoleon's armies had entered Moscow, panic came upon the inhabitants. They hastily packed up their valuables to flee to some place of security, fully expecting that the French would soon march upon the capital. The Emperor himself was preparing to go forth with a body of troops from the city to withstand the invading foe.
During this time Prince Galitzin remained calm and unconcerned, and engaged a large number of men in repairing his palace. Indeed, he continued to occupy it, notwithstanding the prevailing anxiety and fear. His companions were astonished at his course, and some envious persons even reported to the Emperor what he was doing, and ventured to hint that he might be a traitor, with some secret understanding with the invading foe! Alexander sought an interview with the prince, who was glad of an opportunity to acquaint the Emperor with the foundation upon which his confidence was built.
"Galitzin," asked the Emperor, "what are you doing? What means all this? Everyone prepares to flee, and you are building."
"Oh," said the prince, "I am here in as sure a place of safety as any I could flee to; the Lord is my defense."
"Whence have you such confidence?" questioned the Emperor. "Who assures you of it?"
"I hold it in my heart; and it is also stated in this divinely inspired volume," answered the prince.
He drew from his pocket and held out a small Bible—a Book which the Emperor had never seen before! He put out his hand to receive it, but by some inadvertence it dropped on the floor, opening as it fell. The prince raised the sacred volume, glanced at the open page, and said: "Well, permit me to read to you in that very place at which the Bible lies open."
It was that wonderful passage, Psalm 91.
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.
"Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
"Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked."
"Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
"Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My Name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation."
"Oh, that your majesty would seek this sure retreat!" said the prince, as he read the inspiring words.
The Emperor stood for a while as a man astonished. His army was now marching out of the city; and, as was customary, he must repair to the great church for public worship, that being the last place the Emperor visited when leaving the capital for some time.
After entering there, a religious service proceeded, and the officiating priest read, to the wondering Emperor's amazement, the same ninety-first psalm!
After the service Alexander sent for the priest and asked if Galitzin had mentioned the circumstances of their recent interview. The priest replied that he had heard nothing of the matter. "Then who told you to make choice of that particular passage this day?"
The priest replied that no one had told him, but that he had desired in prayer that the Lord would direct him to the particular portion of the inspired volume he should read to encourage the Emperor. That 91st Psalm had come before him and he apprehended that it was the word of the Lord to him.
The Emperor now proceeded on his way some distance. Late in the evening, feeling a great seriousness of mind, he sent for his chaplain to read the Bible to him in his tent. He came and began to read: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
"Hold," said the Emperor. "Who told you to read that?"
"God," said the chaplain.
"How?" said the Emperor. "Has Galitzin told you?"
He replied that he had not seen the prince, nor had any one told him what to read. "Surprised at your sending for me," continued the chaplain, "I fell upon my knees before God, and besought Him to teach my weak lips what to speak. I felt that part of the holy Word pointed out to me. Why your majesty interrupted me I know not."
The Emperor astonished at this, paid the greater attention 'to what was read, believing that this must be the Lord's ordering. He was therefore very solemnly impressed, and from that time he faithfully read, morning and evening, a chapter in the Bible. The impressions made upon his mind by that psalm were not transient. He took Galitzin's Bible, and to use his own language, "I devoured it, finding in it words suitable to, and descriptive of, the state of my mind. The Lord, by His divine Spirit, was also pleased to give me an understanding of what I read therein. It is to this inward Teacher alone that I am indebted: therefore I consider divine Inspiration, or the teachings of the Spirit of God, as the sure foundation of saving knowledge and keeping grace."