The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-10-14

THE CoNTEXT.-Thee edict of the
king secured by the wicked Haman,
appointed a day i'm which the Jews in
all parts of the empire should be put
to death. Mordecai, who had been the
occasion of this attempt to destroy his
people, on learning what was deter
mined, came forth into the streets clad
in sackCloth, after the orientalists in
times of great sorrow, Gen. xviii: 34)
and made loud and bitter lamentation.
This display of grief was soon reported
TO Queen Esther. AS she was a Jewess
her own life was in jeopardy, and she
determined to intercede for her race.
BY a series of banquets the kings
heart was made merry, and she easily
secured her desire. Haman was pro-
nounced an enemy. His estate was
confiscated, and he was hung on the
gallows that had been erected for the
execution of Mordecai, while the latter
was placed in charge of Haman's es-
tate as trustee for the queen.
THE APPROACH (V. 3).-The re-
moval of the man who had planned the
massacre did not set aside the cruel
decree whose provisions had carried
CONSERVATION to millions of hearts.
Queen Esther had therefore a further
service to render for her people. once
more she came into the presence of the
king. manifesting the spirit of humil
ty and reverence due in that day to the
monarch. Rulers, possessed Of abso-
lutte power assumed a naughty bear
ing now fortunately unknown in any
~ nf a IN
offense to approach a king unbidden
esther iv: III Hence, in the most
abject manner the queen Frustrated
herself before the sovereign. a position
which might have been assumed by the
humbest slave. Confessng thereby
that she claimed no right to appear
but trusted to find mercy. AS an indi-
cation of the deep distress of her soul
the tears coursed their way down her
cheeks, presenting a spectacle that
ought to move the hardest heart.
THE RECEPTION. ". D-.The
! queens approach was not rejected.
| What had just occurred,-th three
| banquests, the honor conferred upon
| Mordecai the punishment inflicted up
| on Haman,-inclined the king to be
| gracious. Besides, the previous ap-
| proaches of Esther must have con-
| vinced him of her kindly purpose, (Es-
| ther 11:22) and he had reason to think
| that she had now come on some ezra nd
| of the public good. Withal the beauty
| Of the queen, which had been recog-
nized when she was elevated to this eX-
alted place, Q1:O an orphan girl hon
| ored because of her personal charms
was increased by her attitude an
| tears. 1t would have been 4 vile rlon-
ster who could have done her aarnl
under such circumstances. The king
held out the golden sceo.er toward
Esther, an act of kindly favor, declar-
ing that the suppli1nt miGht he heard
| This reception must have sent gladness
into the heart of the woman who camt
as the representative and intercessor OF
| her people, who he'd their lives in hei
ability to plead their cause. Rising she
stood before the king. 1t was a time
of most impressive interest,". viii she
be equal to the occasion?
THE APPEAL. Tvs. 5 and 6).-Es'
theirs speech followed Immediately ir
few well chosen words. She asked thai
letters might be written reversing tn
letters devised by Haman | l which tht
death of the Jews had Leen ordered