The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-12-29

4. Sheshbazzsr. We are qnits certain Zerub-
babel is meant. SheshhazzAr was probably his
Chaldean name. Both names are significant
Sheshbazzar means joy in affection. Zerub-
babel means a stranger in Babylon. Some
think be was named Zerubbabei as denotiDg he
was a captive. while Sheshbazzar pointed TO the
joy he experienced at the prospect of returning
to Jerusalem. In the account by Es,iras we
have the name printed SapshassRr In verse
Of our lesson he is called "the Prince Of Ju-
dab"
5. Ezrs. he made the Bible his study. He
collected the books and arranged them. He
edited l Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra and Ne
hemish. He made IL his business to have numer-
Gus copies of the Holy Scriptures written and
circulated. 1t is held he originated worship in
synagogs. He was descendant of Hifkiah,
who was High Priest in the days of Josiah.
(7:1) he resided at Babylon. and was evil
IDENTIFY persen Of some prominence In the
Court of Artaxerxes. He paid two visits 20
the Jews &C Jerusalem. The first was made
whom the Jews had been back from the Baby
louan captivity for about 70 years. Many
leading Jews, descendants of those who did
not return to Judes at Cyrus's permit, accom-
panied Ezra. They took numerous gifts with
them. Ninety-One years after the restoration
of the jews from the captivity in Babylon,
Ezra paid a second visit. About I3 years in
tervened between the two journeys It was
during the second visit he originated some
thing like what We call modern preaching. He
had pulpit extemporized in q street of Jeru-
salem. Then he reed the Bible distinctly to
the people and explained its contents. (Neh.,
S:4. 81 On the Tigris River, near Bagdad,
the tomb Of Ezra Is shown.
"A special interest" says the Rev Lyman
Abbott, attaches to bis biography from the
fact that the first case of preaching, in the
modern sense of that term, took place under
h. al
Jerusalem, he stood upon a pulpit Of wood
made for the purpose. and with the attendant
Levites read in the book Of the law of God
distinctly, and gave the sense and cansed them
to understand the reading. (Neh., 81 81
It Is said the tomb of Ezra is now recognize
able near Bagdad on the Tieris River not very
far from the conjunction of the Euphrates and
Tigris. The monumental idea is quite fully
developed. In 1864 there WAS rage of COM
memorative tendency in the case of the 300th
anniversary of the birth of Shakspers. The
last year, 1892, has been busy in raising me-
MORALS in honor Of Columbus. Monuments
are raised to keep in mind Lincoln, Grant,
Logan, Sherman. Sheridan. In common with
this natural impulse the Jews of Bagdad de-
termined TO raise monument for the glory OF
Ezra. They believed the tradition that the
spot near the city which has passed as such
for % centuries was the veritabls tomb of their
honored ancestor. There is no way of contra
dieting this opinion thus entertained. Not
only jews but Christians are interested in
Ezra He il remembered specially as the COM
piler of the early historic parts of the Old Tes-
lament. work very significant in its relations
to our religion. As monument what could
be filter than the structure which Bsgdadites
suggested2 It was that over said traditional
spot college be erected devoted specially TO
the study Of those Scriptures which Ezra COL
lected, arranged. and preserved. IL was also
fitting such monument he constructed by the
world in general. Collections were sent in, g. O.,
from Bombay, London. Paris.
g. Suggestions.
Many practical duties crowd on the mind.
E. g.
1. Sin makes men capitives Our Savior is
to rs what Cyrus was to the Jews. He can set
US free.
q Heed the promptings of Gods Spirit He
often stirs Us up and sets Us to work. Do as he
directs.
3. Men who are in power should use il in the
defense and help of the downtrodden, op-
pressed. Take the part of the weak.
4. Keep Gods house in good repair. Be
willing to spend money for its improvement.
5. Help the needy. If they be going on
distant journey, trife from you may greatly
aid them on the way. Maintain emigration
societies.
6. In all great enterprises there must DO
principal men to lead and oversee
z. Let the Church be provided with suitable
utensils for all ordinances and seryices-sacred
utensils-used, and that specially those for
baptism and the Holy Communion exclusively
in eeclesiastio ways or rites Secular use Of
such Is sort of sacrilegs. In this respect,
whether consciously or not, Cyrus was moro
reverential than Eebuchadnezzar.
8. Patriotism is commendabls. The love Of
the Jews for Palestine ia q sentiment worthy
our admiration.
Q. Above all we praise loyalty to God.