The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-06-29

circuit OF Jne BlDle once IN seven
years, a return is now made to the
Old Testament after six months spent
upon the life of Jesus. The narrative
is taken up just where it was dropped;
namely, with the history of Judas,
which is brought down to the latest
date. The kingdom of Israel had
passed out of existence through the
Assvrian conquest. Rome wss only
half century old. Kings had ceased
in Greece. and the chief magistrates
archons) were ruling in their stead.
Assyria was the supreme word-power.
The discovery of the royal library at
Nineyah, with its ten thousand in
scribed tablets, furnishes remarkable
confirmation of the records. Sen
nacherib, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Josiah,
Jehoiakim, jeremiah, Ezekiel, Dan
iel, Ezra, Zechariah, Esther, Neh-
emiah, Malachi, are some of the
characters, good and evil, that will
pass in review. The Assyrian in
vason, the finding of the Bible (the
book of the law, the Babylonian cap
tivity, the return from exile, and
rebuilding of the temple are some of
the events.
Sennacherib's Invasion.
The Nile was Sennacherib'sr real des-
tination. But to reach Egypt he
must need pass through the tiny
realm of the Hebrews. Nothing
there could prove more than momen-
tarY impedment. So thought the
Nineyite. He was ignorantly omit
ing however, one invincible factor
from his calculations. That factor
was the religious faith of the people
whose country he was invading.
One courageous, patriotic soul stood
out against the threatening tide of
invasion. The accident ofroyal office
gave him added prestige. 1t was
Hezekiah the king. He proceeded
with utmost discretion, taking into
his counsel the princes and other
men of influence. While he increased
the water supply of the city, be de-
stroyed that of the district in which
the enemy mnst needs camp. He
strengthens the outer and inner forti-
tications of the city, and filled the
arsenals with newly-made armor.
offensive and defensive. He mobiliz-
ed the army. He infused his own de-
yout and dauntless spirit into the
garrison, in an address which for
faith and patriotism has never sur
passed.
Every precautiou which the king
had taken 10 preserve the morale of
the garrison was necessary. The ser
wants of Sennacherib, captain eunuch
and cup-bearer, appeared upon the
neighbOring hills;des and addressed
the people, who crowded to the walls.
They were sappers and miners ent
to honeycomb the courage of the de-
tenders of the city. They showed
Machiayeline skill; but they failed
Even the threatening letters of Sen
nacherib fell short of there purpose.
All fiery darts were Quenched by the
faith of the people in God and His
servant, their king.
In the last extremity H ezekiah be-
took himself to prayer. He believed
the as yet unwritted Scripture, THE
fervent etfectual prayer of a righteous
man availeth much" He took every
precaution, as if everything depend
ed upon himself. Then he prayed g s
if everything depended upon God.
We may never know the precise
way in which the Assyrian host was
destroyed. But deliverance C, me to
Jerusalem. The crimson shield of
Assyrl covered the pillars of the tenn
pie, so lately stripped of their gold to
buy worthless truce. Sennacherib
returned in defeat, to die at the hand
of an assassin. A great page of world
history turned that day. On the I'M
der side Assyria disappeared, and on
the upper Babylonia came into view.
The Teachers Lantern.
The prophet Isaiah decribes the
approach of the world-conqueror with
nervous and poetic picturesqueness.
Like a desolating tide his army
reaches the height of Lebanon. The
cedars feel his fire at their roots.
Damascus is heap. Klamath, Arpad,
Sepharvaim, Hena, Iyah, Calmo,
Carchemish, are the milestones in his
march of ruin. he pauses at Mich
mash, the Rubicon of sacred history.
Rannah, Gibeah, Geba, Beniamite
cities fall in one day. Two score
'fensed cities of Judah are taken.
Jerusalem alone remains inviolate,
and the Ruthless invader even now
stands at Mob and shakes his hand
defiantly at the daughter of Zion.
The extremity is reached Jerusa-
lem is an oasis in desert of desola-
ton. The destroying floods break in
angry roar and foam about the rock