The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-11-02
Esther Pleading for Her People.

The Book of Esther IS like a
mountain stream. It is transpar-
ent and swift. It runs its course
in ten short chapters. Yet the
little book IS a mirror of the hu-
man soul. 1t reflects all passions
and emotions. It has been desCrib-
ed as truly wonderful and para
doxical history, and it is affirmed
that the customs and arrangements
of the Persian courts are wildly
'and correctly depicted in it. Aside
then from the question of inspira-
ton, the book commends itself to
those who seek the best literature.
The fate of a race of exiles trem-
bles in the balance held i'll the
hand ola capric;ous despot How
the reversible degree shall be re-
versed is the problem In the
solution the destiny Of the Hebrew
nation is involved and with that
also the Scripture, ritual, aud
hope of the Messiah. On the dark
background of the plot the charac-
ters of the deliverers stands like
white canoes in Clear-cut outlines
and high relief.
Mordecai, by a sign ever signif-
cant among the Jews, arrests the
the queens attention; and even
through the watchful Gordon of a
Persian seraglio, conveys to his
adopted daughter the fearful news
and the urgent request for media
ton. That Esther hesitates en-
hanCes the heroisn of her ultimate
course. Life is dear to her, as it
always is to a young and thorough
ly healthful nature. She does not
covet or court martyrdom. Yet at
length, having viewed the case
from every standpoint and weigh
ed the matter thoroughly, she de-
liberately assumes the mediator
ship, eXclaiming, eff perish,
perish. The courage, patriotism,
piety in that act is unsurpassed.
Yet even then she used the ut
most tact. She drew upon all the
fertile resources of her womanly
wit. With no lachrymose face,
nor disheveled hair, or piercing
cries did she run into the kings
presence; but, every inch a queen,
with dignified and womanly car
riage, with completest toilet, and
all the witching charm Of her peer
less beauty, she stood unbidden
and fully conscious OF her peril.
Her jeweled foot pressed her grave.
A score of cimeters flashed in air,
and the tessellated pavement
might have taken one more hue,
a crimson one; but again the tickle
heart Xerxes was in the Lords
hand. He held out the golden
scepter. Esther touched it, and
was safe.
This peerless drama hastens to
its denouement. The queen makes
no request. Instead she gives an
invitation. Xerxes and Hannah
are the guests. Then comes a
second invitation. The change
able, violent, cruel tyrant is fairly
tangled in the silken meshes of the
net that love has spun. Between
the first and second banquet comes
that indescribly significant scene
in which Mordecai is lifted from
the dunghill and mounted like a
prince, while Haman, pride's
very incarnation, is made to hold
his bridle-rein. Changes of for
tune are of God.
After the second banquet Hannah
goes to the gallows he had built
for Mordecai, rand the latter takes
the vacant premiership. The de-
cree Of destruction can not be an
nulled, but it is made imperative
by unter-decree, and the Jews
haye light and gladness and Joy
and honor.
To celebrate this glorious provi-
dental deliverance a new feast is
Observation-Disclosures dest of the
whole Hebrew year.
Analysis and Key.
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