The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1905-01-26

with these by our chief, and succeeded
quite to my satisfaction, and to his. too,
/ am sure, for all are here and eager TO
enlist under his banner"
These fragments of conversation Will
be better understood when 1t is ex-
planned that a few days before this, the
Archangel Satan had summoned MS
captains to secret conference and had
with deep-laid cunning and ingenious
lies laid bare his diabolical plot against
the Son, and won them heart and soul
TO his support. II seems that Satan had
noted with growing jealousy and hatred
the praises which were being sung OF the
wonderful works performed by the Son
in the creation of the worlds, and he
determined before the power of the Son
had grown too great that he would raise
rebellion against Him, seize the Palace
and rule in His stead. This was the
state Of Satan's mind when the summons
had come to proceed to the Palace for
conference Hastily gathering his cap
tains about him, he first won them to his
wicked schemes and then sent them out
to SOW the seeds of Jealousy and hatred
among all the angels under his rule.
His emissaries had in the evil spirit OF
their master wrought we'll, as the great
concourse of angels now gathered be-
fore the mansion strikingly attested.
A sudden hush fell upon the gathered
hosts as the doors of the mansion opened.
and the multitude of expectant eyes were
turned to watch for Satan's appearance.
Forth he came, and the strange, deep
light, unseen and unknown before In
Heaven, burning in his eyes, held them
spellbound. The fires of hatred and
jealousy burned fiercely and unrestrain.
eddy. and no longer archangel but arch
demon. he stood before them. His mag
nificent form lowered above them all.
and his proud head appeared as only
waiting for it's crown. Thus he stood
and surveyed the mighty hosts. and then
slowly spake:
Fellow angels, and spirits OF this
great realm, it is known to you how the
Son hath created the earth and placed
man thereon, and that it is His purpose
to make of you ministering spirits to
that new region In furtherance Of this
plan 7, your chief, have been summoned
to the Palace to swear fresh allegiance
to the Son in this new project, and to
promise you as vassals in His cause.
What say your"
A thousand fires may spring from the
glowing sparks sent out like firebrands
into the dry stubble, and a thousand
hearts. yea, thousand thousand hearts.
were Lindled that day, and thousand
thousand voices were lifted in sudden
rage as they cried: I'VE will not have this
Son to rule over u.s."
Meanwhile at the Palace, Gabriel and
Michael waited. A sudden summons
came to Gabriel to present himself before
the Son. Directly he returned and held
a brief bat excited conversation with
Michael, and the latter instantly with
drew. and gave numerous orders to his |
faithful attendants.
Scarcely had they disappeared speed
ing on their several errands, before the |
belated Archangel Satan was seen ap-
preaching. With no sign in face or man. |
ner to show that the Son. who knoweth |
all things. had revealed the conspiracy, |
Gabriel went forth to meet him. He |
suffered his fawning embrace OF greet
ing, he listened silently to his profuse |
apologies for being late.
AS they reached the top of the stair
case leading to the Palace, Satan paused |
as though to speak to his followers.
while he stole look out over the plain |
to see il his legions were coming. Like
the swift wind of an approaching storm
they swept down upon the Palace. and in
al instant Satan hal sprung into their
midst, and seemed everywhere giving
orders. His hosts forgot, nay lost for
ever, their godly fear, and fought like
demons.
Repeatedly they stormed the Palace
walls. but each time the unseen power OF
the Almighty arm within brushed them
back. Again, and again. and again, the
assault was made, for the fury of Satan
was centered upon the Son, and he knew
if he could but destroy Him, victory
would be his.
The din and roar of battle filled the
Heavens, and the curses and groans and
relentless rage of Satan and his demon
hosts were most awful
Thus the battle ragged when Michael,
at the head of his mighty legions, came
up with the swiftness of the wind. Quick
ly wheeling them to the right of the enc
my, he sent them wedged shaped be-
tween Satan's hosts and the Palace walls.
Inch by inch he forced them back. And
with renewed fury and desperate hate
Satan rallied his hosts.
If the Spirit of God controlled the
of Michaels hosts, so must
the flaming spirit of Satan have animate
ed the hearts Of his followers. Shoulder
to shoulder they fought, and madly, des-
perately struggled to hold their ground.
But back, back, back, Michael's legions
forced them. The defeat before the pal
ace walls became retreat, and the re-
treat broke into hasty fight as Satan
sought to gain his own province ard
make another stand.
But fiercely did Michael pursue, moved
b. the Righteousness and truth OF the
mighty God. Across the plains Of the
province, and then up into the Businesses
il the rocks they were driven. But on.
till on, Michael pressed the foe.
On the giddy heights of the battle
nents OF Heaven, Satan and his now de-