The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-08-29
THE THREE RINGS.

Saladin was SO great and so valiant man
that by his merits he was raised to the
throne of Babylon, and won the glory OF
MANY a conquest over both Christians and
Saracens. As the prince was engaged in
many costly wars, and, moreover, was lib
eral in his expenditure, there came time
when he found his resources so exhausted
that he was forced to look around him and
consider what he had better do.
By and by Saladin remembered that in
the town of Alexandra there dwelt a veal
thy Jew named Melchisedech, who was
accustomed to lend money at interest.
Melchisedech was an avaricious man and
not at all likely to produce such sum
as the King required, but the urgent need
he was in determined Saladin to obtain it
by force if necessary; therefore he devised
a scheme by which he might get the Jew
in his power and sentence him to a fine
that should be sufficient to meet the emer-
gency.
So Melchisedech was summoned to the
palace and there received with much honor;
presently he had an audience of the King,
who spoke with him after this manner:
II have been told great things concerning
your wisdom, and especially, it is said, you
have remarkable knowledge Of spiritual
subjects. | have sent for you, then, Mel
chisedech, that you may tell me this:
Which of these three religions is the best
and the true-that of the Jew, of the Mo-
hammedan or of the Christian ?"
Now, this Jew was crafty, and he per-
ceived that the King was laying snare
for him. IF he gave preference for any
one of these religions his vast wealth-if
not his life also-would be the forfeit
Happily for him, he was not easily alarmed,
and with wonderful presence Of mind he
thus made answer to Saladin
'sSir, the subject on which you question
me is beautiful, and of vast Importance;
but, in order that I may reply in salts
factory manner, permit me to tell you
little story remember hearing-though
[ cannot say in what country it was-of a
rich man, who, among other very valuable
Jewels, possessed ring of great beauty and
inestimable worth Desiring that the treas
ure should be guarded suitably, this man
devised the project of leaving it to his sue
cessors as memorial of his opulencei there
fore, he directed in his will that the son
who. at the time of his death, should be
found in possession of the ring might be
regarded as his heir, and held in consider
alton by all the family. The son who thus
inherited the costly jewel bequeathed it in
4. 70 1io
and thus it passed from generation to
to generation. At leagth it fell into
the hands of man who was the father of
three boys. Each one Of these was amiable
and excellent, each was submissive to the
parents will, and his love for them was
equal Now, this good man became much
perplexed as to how he ought to leave his
treasure, for he loved his sons well, and
would gladly have made the three equally
happy. He could not single out one son
for his good qualities, because all were alike
virtuous; thus was it that he devised a
method of getting out of a difficulty, for
it must be owned that in a moment OF
weakness he had promised the ring to each
of the three young men. Secretly apply
ing to goldsmith, he had two rings made
so perfectly resembling the heirloom that
even he himself could not distinguish the
false from the true. The sons received then
ring apiece, and, as may be supposed,
this was the ground of bitter contestation
as soon as the father died Each one de-
clared that the rights of succession were
his; each one expected to be regarded as
the head of the family; each one produced
his ring as proof of his heritage. 1t
was, however, impossible to know the real
and the false jewels apart, and legal pro-
cess was begun to establish the true sue
cession. This process is so full Of intrica-
cy, and SO many questions are involved in
it, that it is going on to the present day,
and without any hope of being satisfactori-
ly ended.
''That, my lord, is the story" said the
Jew in conclusion, "and, as with the ring,
so it is with the laws which the Almighty
has given to three different people. Each
believes that with them is the right of in
heritance, each considers that they have
the true law, and obey the only true COM
mandments. 1t is not yet decided which
of the three is nearest to the truth, and to
all appearance it never will be. y
Saladin perceived that the Jew was too
willy for him, and he admired the skill with
/ MI oh bo bod avoided +ba fro, cat for him