The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-04-27
Tales From the Talmud.

Hope, resignation, and dependence on
the diutne protection, illustrated in the
life ofRabbi Akiba.
can the paths Of the Lord arc mercy and truth,
unto such a. keep bis covenants and his testi.
monies."-Psalm XIV.
Man, with his boassed wisdom, is but
short sighted creature and with all
his pretended power, weak and help
less being. He knows not 10 ono mo-
ment whut will happen to him in the
next. Nor could such knowledge, were
he to possess it, either prevent or re-
tard events over which he has not the
least control The eminent faculties
with which he is gifted, may indeed
enable him to see the immediate effects
of particular occurrences; bat the re-
mote consequences aud final results are
hidden from his confined view. Hence
he often wishes for things which, were
thy granted, would tond to his injury {;
and he as often laments and bewails
those very events which ultimately
prove to his benefit. Thus circum-
stancsG, ho could not possibly escape
the numerous dangers that surround
him nay, he would often rush on that
very obstruction which he seeks to
avoid, were it not for the merciful
providence Of that Supreme Being who
gave US our existence, who watches
over our welfare, aud who guiles our
steps.
1t is he who delivers us from "tbe
noxious peslilence whi,h marches in the
dark, and from the destruction which
rages at noon.'' 1t is he that turns
our mourning into joy, and who changes
present evils into everlasting good.
"Happy then the man who has the
God Of Jacob for his help, and who
truss in the Lord his Cod"
So convinced was Rabbi Akiba of
these divine truths, SO fully persuaded
was he that from the Fountain Of Good
ness no real evil can flow, that even
under the greatest Affections and sufs
fcrings-and they we're many and va
rious-he was accustomed to say,
"Whatevcr God does is good"
The ancient sages of Isreal have re.
commended us to adopt the same max
i'm; and they have illustrated it by the
following narrative:-
Compelled by violent persecution to
quit his native land, Rabbi Akiba
wandered over barran wastes and dreary
deserts. His whole cquipage consisted
of lamp, which he used to light at
night, in order to study the Law; a
cock. which served him instead of q
watch, to announce to him the rising
dawn and an ass, on which he rode.
The sun was gradually sinking be-
meath the horizon, night was fast ap-
preaching, and the poor wanderer knew
not where to shelter his head, or where to
rest his weary limbs. Fatigucd, and
almost exhausted, he came at last near
a village. lie was glad to find it in
misunderstanding where human beings
dwclt, there dwelt also humanity and
compassion but he was mistaken. He
asked for nights lodging: it was re-
fused. Not one of the inhospitable in.
habitants would accommodate him. He
was therefore obliged to seek shelto, in
neighboring woods.
"It is hard, very hard," said he, "not
to find hospitable roof to protect me
against the inolemency of the weather !;
but God is just, and whatever he docs
is for the best"
He seated himself beneath tree,
lighted his lamp, and began to read the
Law. He had scarcely read chapter,
when violent storm extinguished the
light.
"What," exclaimed he, "must not
be permitted even to pursue my favorite
study But God is just, and whatever he
does is for tho best"
He stretched himself on the bare
earth, willing, if possible, to have few
hours sleep. He had hardly closed
his eyes, when fierce wolf came and
killed the cock.
"What new misfortune is this p
calculated the astonished Akiba "My
vigiIant compaion is gone Who, then,
will henceforth awaken me to the study
of the Law But God is just he knows
best wha. is good for US poor mortals. !"
Scarcely had he finished the sentence
when terrible lion came and dcvoured
the ass.
"What is to be done now ?" excIaim-
ed the lovely wanderer. "My lamp and
my cock are gone ! my poor ass, too, is
gone! And all is gone But, praise
be the Lord, whatever he does is for the
best"
lie passed slecplcss night, and early
in the morning went to the village to
see whether he could procure a horse
or any other beast or burden, to enable
him to pursue his journey. But wha,
was his surprise not to find single in,
dividual alive!
1t appears that band Of robbers had
ent cred the village during the night,
killed its inhabitants, and plundercd
their houses. As soon as Akiba had
sufficiently recovered from the amaze
ment into which this wonderful occur
renee had thrown him, he lifted up his
voice and excIaimsd,-
"Thou great God, the God of Abra-
ham. Tsaac. md Jacob. now I know by