The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-02-15


such commands as these, nor was there
anything that would arouse in them
more stubborn and more enduring cour-
age. They resisted and were prosecuted.
Women who had dared to circumcise
their children were tortured, and paraded
with their murdered infants hanging
round their necks Aged elders were
put to cruel and lingering death, refus-
ing to eat the flesh of the unclean beast
Incense was burnt at pagan affairs in the
streets of Jerusalem. On the 18th day
of December In this memorable year o.
C. 1867, the abomination of desolation
was set up an idol altar standing upon
the great rude stone altar in the temple
Court Ten days later sacrifices of swine
were offered on it, and the fame reared
for Jehovah was declared consecrated to
Jupiter Olympus. The Jewish ritual
was abolished and Greek rites substituted
for it,
You can scarcely imagine how terrible
this proclamation of their holy city, Jerusa-
lem, was to the Jews, although there
were not few unfaithful ones who &C
ceeded to the kings commands, and for
their treachery were regarded with
adherence by the patriotic and devout
Jews who would suffer death rather than
give up their faith. Mattathias, after
the desolation of Jerusalem, had retired
with his sons to the little town of Modin,
about twenty miles from the city Even
here an altar had been erected for Greek
sacrifices, but Mattathias stoutly refused
to Join in them and he became so enraged
with treacherous Jew and the kings
officer who were sacrificing that, in a
sudden outburst of indignation, he arose
and slew them both. This was the signal
for revolt. Mattathias and his family
withdrew to the mountains, fortified
themselves in the rocky caverns, and
lived no better than children of the
desert. They were joined by other bands
of patriotic Jews, and their numbers rap
idly increased. Here it was that they
were attacked by the enemy on Sabbath
day. as when Apollonius fell upon the
Jews in Jerusalem, and because of their
rigid adherence to the law 1000 of them
were slain. After this they thought it
right to change this law, and they made
one by which they could defend them
selves when attacked on the Sabbath
With their number constantly increasing,
they were enabled to begin a defensive
warfare, and strove with what power
they could to maintain the ceremonies
and forms of the national religion. In
the first year of his revolt Mattathias
yielded to his old age and feebleness, and
died not, however, before he called the
people together and named his son Judas
Maccabeus, " the Hammerer, as their
military leader.
Let him be your captain, and fight
the battle of the people, said Mattathlas;
and so, upon his death, Judas assumed
control. We are told that he was of
great beauty of stately appearance like
an ancient giant; that he was strong,
cheerful and brave, SO that he was called
the Happy Warrior" and that he was
revered most for his noble chivalry, for
che received such as were ready to per-
ish." Judas at once showed that his
fathers trust in him was not misplaced,
for in the first two years he gained renown
by winning three important and decisive
victories over the enemy In the first
encounter near Samaria he slew Apollon-
JUS, the cruel governor, and as a trophy
took his sword, which he carried ever
afterwards in battle
The second struggle was at Beth-horon,
where hundreds OF years before Joshua
had conquered the Canaanites, and Judas
here gained a victory no less glorious
than that. The third was the battle of
Emmaus, where Judas made bold night
attack on the camp of the enemy. After
fasting and prayer the army advanced
and, inspired by the heroic courage and
zeal Of Judas, they rushed with blast
of trumpets upon the Syrians, who taken
wholly by surprise, fed, after Intellectual
resistance, into the surrounding plains
and mountains. Three thousand were
killed. A great quantity of rich spoil
fell into the hands of the Jews, and
large share of it was given to the poor
and the unfortunate, while the conquerers
divided the rest They were now near
the holy city, Jerusalem, whose deserted
courts and silent streets they could see
from the lofty mountain on which they
were encamped. This mournful scene
inspired them with greater courage and
strengthened their determination to res
tore to the sacred city its former prosperi-
ty and glory.
The time was not far distant when the
work of restoration was to be granted to
them, for, year later while large
q rrov of 60 0OO up1er tba L,ipo'e oHfoor