Middletown transcript., 1897-12-25

/
which she was covered. shone through
her wells as softly as the stars in the
sky. And thus Lilith resembles the
night, whose name she bore, for in
Hebrew s'Lilith" signifies 'the night"
She left the palace secretly with the
negress Noun, and as she walked she
unused: 81 should not want the Mes
siah to take the crown from my father
because it would be very hard for me
not to live in beautiful palace any
more and mot to have any soft rugs and
pretty dresses and perfumes and jewels.
| But still do not want them to kill
this little newborn child. So l shall
tell father that l have discovered
its hiding place, and as a recompense
| for this service 1 shall entreat him to
spare the child and keep him in his
palace. Thus he cannot harm US, and
if he is really the Messiah he will let
us share his power"
Lilith found Zebonda and her hus-
band, Methouel,s in prayer. Both
seemed filled with great joy. Lilith
bethought her of ruse.
"Hozael is very well," said she.
''and shall bring him back to you to-
morrow. But since you know where
to find the Messiah lead me to him l
am come to adore him.
Methouel was a simple man, little
disposed to think i'll of others, so he re-
piled, ST will shoa yau the way, Prin-
cess Lilith."
When they reached the spot where
the infant lay, Iilith was greatly as
tonished, for she had expected to see
something extraordinary and magnii-
cent without knowing exactly what,
and she only saw hut built against a
rock and in this hut an ass, an OK,
man who appeared to be a workman,
woman of the people, beautiful, yes,
but pale and delicate and poorly clad.
And in the manger, lying upon the
straw, was little child, whom at first
glance she thought like any other child.
But when she drew nearer she saw its
eyes, and in those eyes look not that
of babe, an infinite sweetness more
than human, and she became aware
that the stable was only lighted by the
light which emanated from him.
s'She said to the young mother,
"What is your manner"
'Miryem."
"And your little boy3"
"Jesus."
HE seems to be very good"
"He means sometimes, but he never
cries."
'.Will you let me kiss him?"
eyes, madam" said Miryem.
Lilith stopped and kissed the child
upon the forehead, and Miryem was
little vexed that she did not kneel.
$780," said Lilith, "this little child
is the MessiahP"
tYou have said it madam"
"And he will be King of the Jewsp"
"It is for that that God has sent
him."
"But then he will make war and kill
many men, and be will dethrone King
Herod or his successorp"
mo" said Miryem, "for his king
dom is not Of this world. He will have
neither guards nor soldiers. He will
have neither palaces nor treasures. He
will not inflict taxes upon the people,
and he will live like the poorest fisher
man on the lake of Genesareth. He
will be the servant of the poor and
humble. He will heal the sick and
comfort the afflicted. He will teach
truth and justice. 1t is over hearts,
not bodies, that he will reign. He will
suffer to teach US the price of suffer-
ing. He will be the King of Love, for
he will love all men. And he will
teach those who are tormeEted with
longing which this world cannot satisfy
where their poor hearts can find peace
and JOY. And no doubt he will have
throne"
;, "Ah, now you seeI" said Lilith, still
resisting.
But" resumed Miryem, tthe
throne will be cross. He will die
upon cross to expiate the sins of men
50 that G cd, his Father, may have pity
upon them,'
Lilith listened in astonishment.
Slowly she turned her head toward the
manger. The babe was gazing at her,
and, vanquished by the caress of those
deep eyes, she murmured. "No- one
ever told me those things before,'' and
falling upon her knees she adored him.
ST know,n said Lilith as he rose,
"that King Herod will search for the
child to kill him. Take the ass and
fly. i will pay its master"
Following the narrow paths which
wound in and out among the round
hills the little company soon reached
the plain. "Here," said the princess,
81 must leave you. am the Princess,
Lilith, daughter of King Herod. Re-
member me. -
And as they disappeared in the dark
ness of the night, Joseph leading the
ass upon which sat Miryem holding the
infant Jesus in her arms, Lilith follow
ed with her eyes the aureole encircling
his divine brow. AS the pale myster-
fous light disappeared behind a forest
of sycamores Lilith heard the tramp of
horses hoofs and the clanking of
swords upon the opposite road. 1t was
the squadron of Roman soldiers march
ing toward Bethlehem.
Every one knows that fhA Princess