Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-02-17
LEGENDS OF TIE TALMUD.

Words Of Scripture are the silver
thread on which the llagarah strings its
pearly legends. One OF these legends
.)ls us why the Creator made man To
consist in part OF earth and in part OF
spirit. On the FIRST day both heaven and
earth were represented by the work o.
creation on the second day only hoav-
en-, ana ON the third day only the earth
was concerned and SO In alienation up-
on the fourth and H0h days. Thcn came
the day on which man was 20 be made.
I Now, If he shall consist Of the earthly
alonc, as do the animals, or of the heav-
enly alone, as DO The angels, the equality
between these elemonts will 20 longer bc
maintained therefore was there given
him body Of dust and celestial soul,
and man became creature of earth in
origin, but child Of heaven in destiny.
A great King, says another legend,
had beloved daughter, to whom there
came a youth from far country, by
whom she was wocd and we'd Before
the youthful bride and groom had left
/ the fathers house the father said to them
"You are both very dear to me and
where you go there shall | 60; prepare
me chamber that | may dwoll with
YOU" That King, says the legend, is
God the religion is the daughter, nnd
he to whom She was joined in wellock s
man.
Another legend tells us that all the
subjects Of Gods Kingdom belong to
him. While u master of the law was
one day engaged in instructing his pu-
pills his two sons were stricken down in
death at homo. When he had returned
from the academy he inquired of his
wife, who met him with the usual greet
ing, "Where are the children | miss
ed them in their accustomed seats to-day"
She replied that perhaps they had loitcr-
ed on the way. When the goblet Of
wine had been poured out, the taper
/ lighted, and the customary beuodictiou
said, she urged him to st down and take
somo uourshment attor the mtiguing
labors of the day.
cit is strange" he remarked "that
the children should remain away 50 long,
and you seem pale and troubled ; tell me,
| pray thee, what is it that troubles
you ?"
"Truly, MASTER" she replied, L am
troubled, and sorely need thy COUNSEL
A little while ago friend brought me
two jewels-bright, pure, clear, priceless
jewels-to preserve for him, but to-day,
when you were absent, he returned and
claimed his jewels, and | know not what
to do ; tell me, master, pray"
"A trust is sacred they shall in no
wise be withheld"
"But love them dearly" she replied,
land so do YOU"
A chill Of fear crept into the heart OF
the father and 4 pallor upon his check,
and When the mother saw that her mean
ing had been understood, she took him
by the hand, and, leading him 30 the
chamber, showed him there their two
jewels cold and lustreess. His breast
heaved with anguish as he stood there
speechless with pain, but the noble wife,
turning to him, said
"Did'st thou not tell mo that q trust
was sacred, and that the jewels must not
be- withheld ?" Ile saw full well her
meaning, and, turning reverently his
eyes to heaven, he exclaimed THE
Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
lot the name Of tho Lord be praised"
Besides those stories and legends there
are a number Of ethical maxms scatter
ed through the pages OF the Talmud.
Here are some OF thom
BE not like servant that serveth with
his master for hire for he that soryeth
from the heart upon hm shall tho bless
ing Of heaven be.
II fIlabor not for myself who will la
bor for me; If I labor for myself alone
Of what shall my labor avail Talk it,
tie, do much, aud receive all men with
a friendly oountonaueo. Notthe knowl-
edge, bat the practice ogroIigion, is the
chief thing.
/ a kindly eye, trusted friend a
helpful neighbor, are all good, said an
old master, but noble heart is better
than all.