Des Arc citizen., 1860-02-01
THE IEWIsH RULER.


 h1Has THE JEWISH RULER
 Darkness encircled theaaEioly Land Night, with her train of shadows, man. tied noun,sin, and hill, and valley, aud deep sea and placid lake and gufgline m rivulet. There were no stars visloie the sweet, sparkling things were iaaoen behind the clouds that had been clustering in the heavens since the decline of day and the fair, pale moon ventured not to glance from beneath her vapory mantle, least she should behold some devastation on earth, for rude and terrible storm was .portending All nature appeared con scious of the approaching battle of the ele- menis, and hushed their murmurmgS. Men, women, and children, birds, beasts and insects, remained quiet and expectant, Soon the artillery of heaven disturbed the calm, and nashsafter flash of lnrid flame illumed the vast concaye and ndrevealied the sea beneath--theg cities, towns, and vil- lages, the hill-sidea and pleasant wales oi blessed Palestine. Proudest among Its proud cities stood Jerusalem; her costly palaces, her stately towers, her spangled domes, and spires and temples brightenlng under each successive gleam shot from the electric heavens. The reverbefatlng thunder and the long streams of brilliant were accompanied by thick and fast-fallIng ram-drops, as though an ocean above gave vent to the supertiaous waves
 In an apartment of a rich and surnplu- ous dwelling of that eastern cline sat one of it's loveliesl daughters, now minlsterIng tenderly to tall and stately man, who tossed on couch ia all the restlessness of a troubled spirit, and anon gazing upon the conflict without, The chamber was supplied with every luxury, and lighted by lamps emitting sweet and pleasant odor9 x nie upon the forms of its oocu! pants sbone jewels of rare beauty and value, and aobings from the most iamed looms of, the age. Egr
 The storm continued for an hour, and then the dark drapery fell from the blue vault; and the beautiful starswere disclosed to view, one by one. e.iIlke gltItering gems, and the moon, gentle and sinlling, scat tered her rays until the expansive sky was flooded with mellow light, sottenlng and beaulilying every object. The breath of countless flowers-such flowers as beam but. in eastern lands-hoaled up and filled the atmosphere with delicious fragrance, while everything seemed to whisper There's light to follow darkness o'er-
 There's joy forthose who doubt and fear There's calm when threatening storms are
 done-
 There's peace for all beneath the sun.
 Look up, my lord the elements have stayed their contention-look up, 1 pray, and gadden the heart of thy hand maiden" mufmared the mute-like tones of Sarah the wife of Nicodemus !" The gloomy clouds obscure the celestial orb; no longer, for all is brightness"
 The ruler pressed his hand apon the heart that throbbed wildly beneath hi: costly robes of purple and fine linen, and signing replied: "Thcre is no bright ness in my soul, Sarah; there is nothing but darkness and gloom alway. In hail' of state, in synagogue or temple, at homt by thy side or abroad, tranquility elude' me, and doubts of a future kingdom, ant thoughts of another life, disturb my rest I less bosom.pls s5t W
 Hast thou heard the Nazarine2 questioned the beautiful listener, whil' there came to her face an expression Q awe and reverence. !" Hast thou heafk ened to the great Teacher, whose fam has extended all over our lovely land the ambassador of God, whose voice la heen heard on Ohvel's mount, in tn garden, by the stream so dear to my hear' land elsewhere? And there was that i the light of the speakers beaming coun tenance, that told Christian woman faith in Him who had gathered aroun
 Him so mapy of her fair sisters.
 {" He is an impostor, Sarah; be ha deceived thee and others; our Messiah yet to come" spoke the ruler.
 < Dost forget the miracles he has De, formed2 There was no deception Tn th awakening of the noble brother of th fair sisters of Bethany from the slumbel of the grave-in the resuscitation of th ! only son of the widow of Main, and th , sweet, childish daughter of Jairus, nor
 the healing of poor, wasted frames"
 "Ah! SaraL, can he heal the mind
 Can this boasted one dispel the doubts ar : fears that have gathered in sad conlusiC
 about my aching bosom ? '"
 And the ruler hid his countenance b
 hind the rich cushions of the sumption
 couch on which he had been seeking r ' pose in vain AN ea
 His companion placed her soft hand {