Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-10-07

pTuNeFDidiIg stronger imam ucIOn.
A Persian decree was irreversaible,
and so to all intents and purposes. the
Jews We're to be annihilated. The
order had gone forth sealed with the
kings seal, and according to the law
of the land and the customs Of the
people the doom of the Jews was set
tied. But God takes care of his people.
We do not accept the Calvinistic the
DRY of predestination or Perseverance
Of the Saints. but we rejoice that
There's an eye that's watching DER
U.s.
An unerring hand that guides"
Al the time of our lesson Esther was
about 20 years of age. JUST says:
"Maidens in Persia are in their glory
at II, and fade by the age of 20 Pc
loubet SAYS Esther twas very beauti-
full and seems to have preserved her
purity and beauty of character even
amid the baseness Of an Oriental
court"
3. And Esther spske yet again be-
fore the king. and fell down at his
feet, and besought him with tears TO
put away the mischief Of Hannah the
devised against tho Jews"
Esther was In favor with the king.
hut she, from the human point of
view ran a great risk in her action. as
the failure of the king to hold out his
scept'ire meant certain death.
1t may be as some say. that she WAS
sensible woman, and used her beauty
and charm of person and of dress to
accomplish her object. but If this IS
true, it is also true that the sceptre was
held out and Esther's life spared he
cause back of the human tact and
management was Gods almighty over
ruling power.
4 '"Then the king held out the golden
screptre toward Esther So Esther
arose. and stood before the king"
Cook says: 'In all the numerous
representations of Persian kings at
Persepolis there is not one in which
the monarch does not hold a long
tapering staff (Which is probably the
sceptre of Esther in his right HAND" "
3 And said. If 1t please the king,
and if / have found favor in his ssight.
and the thing seem right before the
king. and | be pleasing in his eyes, let
ii be written to reverse the letters de-
vised by Haman the son of Hamme-
datha the Agagite. which he wrote TO
destroy the Jews which are in all the
kings province
q For how. can I endure to see the
evil that shall come unto my people?
or how can I endure to see the de-
structlon of my kindredY'
True woman like. Esther did not
plead her own case the burden of her
petition was not self, but others.
frhen the king Abasuerus said
unto Esther the queen and TO Mordecai
the Jew, Behold have given Esther
the house of Haman, and him they
have hanged upon the gallows. be-
cause he laid his hand upon the Jews
The hanging of Hannah. and the Civ
ing of his house TO Esther, did not save
the Jews from the fate which would
come to them through the carrying
out of the decree which Hannah had is
sued in the name of the king, so he
said to Esther
Write We also for the Jews, as it
liketh YOU. in the kings name, and
seal it with the kings ring: for the
writing which is written in the kings
name. and sealed with the kings ring,
may no man reverse"
The writing to which Esther put the
seal was that "the king granted the
Jews which were in every city to
gather themselves together, and to
stand for their life. to destroy. to STAY
and to cause to perish, all the power Of
the people and province that would as
sault them, both little ones and WON
en-. and to take the spoil Of them for
prey.
The copy Of the writing for a com
mandment to be given In every pro-
vince was published unto all people,
and that the Jews should he ready
against that day TO ayenge themselves
on their enemies
The sequel to this was that they
overcame their enemies. instead of be-
ing overcome by them.
Is. And Sfordecai went out from the
presence of the king in royal apparel
of blue and white. and with great
crown of gold, and with a garment of |
fine linen and purple: and the city Of |
Shushan reioiced and was glad:
16. The Jews had light and glad |
nees, and JOY. and honor
II. And in every province. and in |
every city. whithersoever the kings |
commandment and his decree came
the Jews had joy and gladness, feast |
and good day. And many OF the
people of the land became Jews: for
the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Peloubet says: The deliverance was
a wonder of providential interference.
The nation was saved. Mordecai was
exalted TO Humans place. The feast
Of Purim was instituted WITH great
leasting and joy. and has been celc-
hrated annually ever since ON the four
tenth Of Adar, February March, one
month before Easter. At least there
are records Of its observances for more
than two thousand years
The bloody ending of the book has
been regarded by some as condemning
he book and the character Of Esther
Tor their bad morality and as unsafe
guides In morals and Religion.
New Bicycle Lamp.
In newly designed bicycle lamp the