The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1866-12-19
aa For The Ashland Union.
The Assyrian Empire.

LII 3-8 &. < : ------ aa.i9 rs g.l4.ii3A37
There are incidents connected with the
tottering of Thrones, and the fall Of Era,
pires, which are truly interesting and in
structive; and scarcely any more 50 than
those connected with the last moments Of
the Assyriau Empirs,D which was the
most pewarfhl daminicr 10 the world ~
History informs us that two million of
men were employed in the building Of
Babylon. The city stood on large plain,
of rich apd fertile soil, surrounded by
massive walls, which drew from the OBJ
server words of exclamation, Surely,
this city shall never perish" ,t
Belshazzar was the monarch Of this
mighty Empire, and his throne was in
the midst of it. lie was wholly given up
to idOlatry I; he had great many wives
and concubineS, with whom he spent his
time in tanqueting and revelry. The
overthrow of Babylon was predicted by
the Prophet Isaiah nearly two hundred
years before it fsll-before Cyrus was
born, and while the Persians were an OBJ.
cure and .inconsiderable nation. And
now the fall Of the Kingdom is to bo ac-
cOmplished, the last grain of sand ia.fal-
ling from the hour-glass Of Belshazzar-
his cup of iuiquity is full, his career Of
impiety to bs ended. si,etb'nQ
The appointed time has ome,--Cyrus
has completed his drain, the curtains Of
night arc drawn, and the monarch, stand.
ing on the pinnacle of the Temple until
he becomes giddy with gazing on the rol-
ling worlds beneath him, commands the
attendants to spread the feast. His prin
ces, wives, coDcubines and nabobs are as
sembled, and the reveling commeu.
ces. Death hovers around TIE palace,
but they know it not, for they are sunk
en- in carnal security. The intoxicating
bowl is passed around-the King is scat
ed on bis Throne--all is ,hiIarity and
myrth But in one moment the voice Of
riot ceases, silence profound as the grave
reigns throughout the palace, = every
tongue is chained, every eye is fixed, de-.
spair is depicted on every counteuance.-
They sit like spectres See yonder i'm.
age wearing the appearance of mans
hand, gliding along the wall, and out
| glariDg the dazzling light Of the banquet.
ing balls-these four words are written I:
meme, p,enc, techet, rpharsiu, and the ON.
inous band retires forever. What has
changed the youthful countenance Of the
KingY What the army of Cyrus could
not do, the supernatural handwriting Of
four words has effected, and the Kings
soul begins to melt within him for fear
But what is the cause of tn distress p
Perhaps yonder inscription declares the
permanence of his kingdom and foretells
the destruction Of his enemies But
pause a man in the person Of Daniel is
brought in to interpret tho great mystery
Meme, meme, tecket upharsin. Thy days
are numbered, this is tho last Of them
Thy course is ended, and thy career fn'
ished. Thou art weighed, and the bal
ance is against thee, Holiness, truth and
virtue, demand thy punishment. Thy
kingdom is divided and given 10 the
"Medes and Persians." While this was
the state of things at the palace, Cyrus
had drained the river, making it florida
Bile, knowing Of the confusion that reign.
ed in the city, he ordered his men to en-
ter that very night; aud. in that nigh
was Belshazzar, King of the Chaldeans
slain, and his city, his splendid city, ia
ken. This was theAruit Of his sin, the
reward of his tansgrossion.- How many
have been led to premature grave by
giving rein to their passions. Yea, many
Of the noble sous Of our land have been
led to the altar Of fatal execution By in
dulging in the vices and sinful pleasures
Thess are our dcadliOst foes. 20 oav iai-
! H.
| N.yyrN D,o 1QGE