The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-02-18
Satan Joyous.
BY TYREE GREEN.

1L WhS Sioat oaJ lu ucii. Oaloi
held council with his chosen cabine
regarding the matters which concerned
the interests of his kingdom, not witt
the great host of his rebel crew, whose
crude and undigested opinions NIGH
perplex and dash maturist counsels, but
with those of whose great deeds all hell
had rung, whose sagacity and cunning
had ever been at the command of their
great chief; whose power had been fell
by nations, and who bad defed and con-
tended with the Omnipotent Ones ONE.
times even leaving upon bis heel marks
of their might.
Great deeds have been recounted ;
man made in the image of the Most
High deceived and beguiled into dis
obedience, a faithful, loving subject
made rebel and offender the earth
pronounced of God very good, over
whose glory and beauty at creation the
morning stars had sung together and
all the aons of God had shouted for joy,
made to drink a brothers blood shed by
a brothers hand, almost before the
echoes of that song had died upon the
air; the chosen people, the seed OF Him
who was called the friend of God made
to reject him and clamor for other gods ;
even the Most High made wroth with
His inheritance and giving them into
their enemy's hand.
These they rehearse, and, like war.
riors telling of honors won on many
hard fought field, their hearts burn
within them as they tell of plans con-
ceived, persisted in, matured, of dau-
gers faced and braved, Of opposition
thwarted and overcome, and of final sue
cess.
The council breaks up, confirmed in
their opinions Of their sagacity and pow
er, and encouraged to continue the
struggle even against Infinite wisdom
and might. Surely such triumpha in
their past point to success and glory in the
end.
But there is one who has been stirred
to lofty ambition by memory and re-
hearsal of these mighty deeds. Satan
sits and muses. of the long black cata'
logue ofsins and crimes, and the thought is
suggested: "May l not do something
which in blackness and wickedness ex.
ceeds them all Something exceeding.
ly hateful to the Most High? Secret,
yet deadly, sin within reach of all {?
A sin that he who has reputation of
saint may commit and yet not lose
mems good will?
As he further muses., let us sit be-
side him and read as best we may bis
thoughts "There are many passions
that make men like devils. There is re.
venge, there is pride, there is lust, and
there is covetousness. / must choose
some one of these to make the. ground
work of my doiugs.
Shall I try revenge? This sin love
well, no Offering can be made to me
more acceptable than hot human blood
drawn in wrath by man from his fellow.
But human law forbids its indulgence.
Men have get bounds that it may, not
pass. they have found that to live in
peace, revnnge must be forbidden. This
sin I may not try.
Shall tsy pride? This sin too re.
gard with favor. There was a time
when my first estate was with the chief
est of the SONS of God, but I kept it not and
aspired to be equal with the Most High
and now n,rn offer to me no incense
more accep uole than when they regard
me prince OF the powers of the air-sn-
lutte me god of this world And now
when men filed with pride aspire to be
great like it veil. But all men as.
pire not to be great; there are those to
whom the lowliest ways are best the
safest and The most secure-and in them
they live and die.
Shall I try lust? This have seen
enter households of patriarchs and kings
and cause estrangement, confusion, mur-
der, and with it I have done my work
we'll. But shall I tempt the aged with
lus,'s delights Can I approach those
with whom desire has failed with it's
pleasures?
Shal I try covetousneOs ? It must be
a matter of grievous offence to the Most
High, and if INDUCED in must greatly
mar the peace and greatness of His
kingdom, for from Sinai in majesty and
authority He forbade it. Surely I may
do much damage to His kingdom, and
thus give aid to my own by tempting
men to it.
Ihave gone to and fro iu the esrth
and have walked up and down in it,
but never yet in lands rude and savage
or in climes where men have advanced
in knowledge and in power, have I found
one who may not be tempted to it.
nor have I seen old men ofhoary hairs
or child of tender years who has not
learped to say: "My" "Mine" men on
the land or on the sea, with their hands
free or hands fettercd feel its power.
Men may not legislate against it, fol
it dwells in secret places. Down deep
il the hidden chambers of the heart il
turks, sometimes even deceiviDg the man
who coucesls it under specious guise o.
other names as prudence" ''care fol
ones household" A heart given tc
covetous practices may hide itself unde,
the Pharisee's robe and men greethim as
"rabbi," it furnishes no mans good
name.
And Satan took his sin-the sin which
had 30 much 10 commend itself TO his
snacial faYnr-aud brought it into that