The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1878-09-12
Our Young People
BY REV. R. H. RIVERS, D. D.
The Beautiful Queen-A Model for
Young Women.
concluded from last week.

concluded from last week.
If perish, I perish.-Esther iv:l6.
The whole history shows the in
1uence of good woman in a noble
cause. When woman is confined
to the sphere for which God de-
signed her, shedding the light of a
beautiful example upon the domes-
tic circle, pleading for the poor and
condemned, ministering to want and
woe, and being in all respects a
help-meet for man, no language can
describe the influence of which she
is the center. The unselfish, pru-
dent, devoted wife; the patient,
piCus, loving mother; the sweet,
gentle sister; the pure, modest, af-
fectionate daughter, are ever exert
ing an influence upon the rugged
heart of man as soft as the dew
upon the mown grass, as silent as
the great principle of gravitation,
and as powerful as it is silent and
gentle. No other person than Es-
ther could have influenced the king
to revoke a law of the Modes and
Persians. She, alone. could turn
away the tide of desolation which
threatened to sweep an entire peo
pie from the face of the earth. She
alone could hush the storm, whose
distant mutterings were heard with
keenest anguish by every child of
Abraham. SO it ever is, so it ever
will be, with a good woman. She
can do more to correct the faults
of man, to hush the storms of pas
sion, to curb a mad ambition, and
more to lead man to truth, justice,
purity and benevolence than any
other merely human influence. In
the quiet of her home, with a mod
esty which shrinks from observa-
ton, with purity unstained by
contact with the corrupt passions
OF the world, and with a consistency
unmarried by its fashions and max
inns, the good woman consecrates
herself to the good of her race. The
son feels her influence ever present
and ever restraining him in his
widest moments; the husband feels
it and is attracted by it from scenes
of revelry and mirth to the home of
grace and purity. 1t permeates So
ciety with the mildness of spring
and the gentleness of the zephyr.
The history contained in the book
of Esther illustrates in most strik
ing manner the words of the great
Teacher, "He that exalteth himself
shall be abased, and he that hum
bleth himself shall be exalted" Ha-
man exalted himself most wickedly
and cruelty, and was brought to de
struction. Mordecai, the Jew, hum
bled himself and was exalted.
The success accomplished by the
effort of Esther, preceded by the
humiliation and fasting of her en-
tire people, shows that God will
ever be attentive to the prayers of
the faithful. He had said. 'Call
upon me in the day of thy trouble
and l will deliver thee" Wonder
fully was this promise fulfilled.
Throughout the one hundred and
twenty seven provinces there was
fasting among the only true wOr-
shippers of the living God. Prayer
went up from every altar; it was
uttered by youthful lips, and it
trembled on the lips of age. 1t was
not uttered in vain. 1t moved Him
who restraints the wrath of kings.
1t was heard by Him who wheels
His throne upon the rolling worlds.
He heard in Heaven, He answe ed
upon earth. AS God ever hears
prayer, He never fails His people in
the hour of darkness. He utters
His voice, and the stony hearts of
kings are melted. Though thought
be broken, language lame, the
prayer of the humble, trusting heart
is ever heard and ever answered.
The doctrine of special providence
is beautifully taught and forcibly
| illustrated in the book of Esther.
Though the name of God is not
found in the book, the finger of God
pervades the entire history. God
is in providence, directing events
and governing issues. He makes
even the wrath of man to praise
Him. Mysterious, universal, all
pervading, and yet particular, the
providence of God affords the good
man protection and comfort which
he would derive from no other
source.
And now who, after reading this
beautiful historical poem, will not
pronounce the literature OIL the BIZ
BILE to belong to the highest order?
Its poetry is varied, original and
sublime, Astounding in the highest
epic and dramatic interest, and in
the most vivid descriptions. One,
while it utters wall sad as fun
eral dirge, and then it bursts forth
in songs of widest joy. The Bible
is not only the book of religion for
the world, but it is book of liter
allure, which for freshness, beauty
and elegance has no rival. 1t is
the fountain from which such minds
as Milton and Shakespeare drank
the deepest draughts. 1t has fred
the imagination of the painter,
guided the chisel of the sculptor
and touched the lips of the orator
with hallowed fire. Accusing the |
genius of the musical composer, it
has given to the world the greatest |
oratorios that ever gratified the i'm
agination or pleased the taste.
From this entire discussion we
have two practical reflections. The
first is, that by beautiful contrast
we are encouraged as helpless SIN
ners to go to God for peace and
pardon. Esther went alone, and to
a harsh king, and with the words,
''If l perish, l perish;" she obtained
her request, and saw her people
again happy. We go not alone be-
fore the throne of the Father; Jesus
is our Advocate and accompanies
us with an appeal so tender, so elo-
uuent that the Father is sure to
hear, to answer and to save. No
sinner ever thus approaching was
spurned from the throne. With Je-
sus as our Advocate and the holy
angels and redeemed spirits and all
the good on earth to accompany us,
we are sure of access at the mercy
seat. Be encouraged, then, 10 go at
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