The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-03-14

arts and sciences. About the first partcu-
lar mention of this place in the bible is in
the book of Joshua XiX-19. where it is deS-
ignated 1.-THE strong city of Tyre" Next
we notice. Hiram, king of Tyre. sent
messengers to David. and timbers of cedars
with masons and carpenters. to build him a
house." Solomon, next we find had re-
course to Tyre for artiicers and material for
the building of the temple Il Kings v-1S).
In subsequent ages kings of all countries
wore robes of Tyrian purple; and in Ezekiel
xxvii-16, we find Tyre mentioned as famous
for its emeralds, purple, fine linen, etc.
Isaiah speaks of it as Tyre, the browning
city, whose merchants are princes, whose
trafficers are the honorable of the EARTH"
Ezekiel, xviii describes the splendOr and
power of Tyre in his time and represents
Syria, Persia, Egypt, Spain and Greece
fastening to lay their riches at her feet
But this prosperity was soon to be disturbed
and ultimately to cease forever. In Isaiah,
xiii. we find 1.-The Lord of hosts hath pur-
posed it to stain the pride of all glory and to
bring into contempt all the honorable of the
EARTH" In fufillment of this Shalamaneser,
the ASsyrian tyrant, after conquering
Samaria. turned his forces against Tyre The
original city. called Old Tyre. was on the
mainland, and the chief city was on an
loiouu dUOuJ IldlL lIlllt lIOul tuc SIlOTG.
The old city was first attacked and detied
all attempts at capture for some five years.
Then the ASsyrians cut off the water sup
plies. but instead of surrendering the inhab-
itantS dug wells and carried their riches and
merchandise to the island city which they
made stronghold. Having no ships to
continue the conquest, Shalamaneser drew
off his forces.
This success elated the Tyrians in the
highest degree; more proud were they of
their beautiful city than ever; and more con-
fident in their security
But just at this time Ezekiel and Isaiah
denounced Gods anger against Tyre, pre-
dieting that Nebuchadnezzar should over
throw it; that it should again survive, but
at length be destroyed and never be rebuilt,
iEzek. XVI and lisa. xxii). The reason of
this judgment is given in Ezekiel, XVI.
Thus in the pride and wckedness of the
Tyrians, their civilizations over the
misfortunes of the Israelites, their selling
them as slaves, we see the doom of their
city.
A century had not passed away when
Northumberland came up to the attack.
After thirteen years he took the old city,
from which the people flew to the new one
on the island. For seventy years, as fore
told by Isaiah, Tyre was forgotten, but in
time again fourished with even greater
splendor than before.
The great Macedonian Alexander was.
however, destined to fulfill the unfn-
ished prophecy of Ezekiel. There is no
mention made of an attack on the old city,
so we may conjecture if it were rebuilt it
offered little resistance. The new city was
beSeiged closely for seven months and at
last fell by means of a mole being built
across the strait between the island and the
mainland, by which an accessible path was
formed for the beSeigers. Ezekiel predict
ed 'They shall lay thy stones and tim
Der and thy dust in the midst of the water"
All trace of its site was thus to be removed.
Thou shalt be no more; though thou be
sought for yet shalt thou never be found
again." Geek. XXv-21.)
In the time of the Roman Empire in
Palestine, Tyre, the old city. was a flourish
ing seaport visited at times by Christ and
his disciples.
In the present state of the port of Tyre
one can see how literally these judgments
were fulfilled. There lies the little island
once the pride of the world, once covered
by palaces, surrounded by fleets, where
sculptors perfected their art, and where her
trafficers were the honorable of the earth.
The scene is changed. Where are the
riches the merchandise, the fleets of COM
merce and of war? Tyre has become like
the top OF rock, "a place to spread nets
on" X.
Son Who Was a Blessing.