Times-promoter., 1908-10-30

death knell to all the hope he had had
for better things for Jerusalem, Jere-
mfah turned and passed out of the
city and slowly wended his way
toward his retreat.
Johanan and his followers watched
him, but that bowed head and that
form shaking with emotion brought no
feeling of regret to their hearts, for
only contemptuous sneers and angry
looks We're to be seen upon their
faces. At last when the prophet had
passed out of sight they, too, turned,
and, with an air of triumph were soon
busy perfecting their plans for the
flight into Egypt, which had been def
nitely determined upon.
BE you sure" spoke up one, that
jeremiah will use his influence to dis
suade the people from following YOU"
Johanans eye flashed and a sneer
was upon his face as he exclaimed:
"The narrow-minded reprobate! It
would serve him right If he were left
here to suffer the fate which he would
have the people remain to endure. But
he shall not. He shall go down into
Egypt and eat his words concerning
the evils which he has declared shall
come upon us If we go thither. Evil!
Why hath not Pharaoh given every as
surance of help and protection? But
what have we to hope for here?
Naught but privation and suffering and
certain punishment at the hands of
Nebuchadnezzar. Yea, jeremiah shall
go into Egypt, and he shall eat bread
and water of affliction while we enjoy
the bounty of Pharaoh's goodness"
And jeremiah in his retreat was
bowed low in prayer, and while Jo-
hanan and his followers were plot
ting he was pouring out his grief
stricken heart to God He knew that
God had spoken and that only evil
could come to the people should they
go down into Egypt. Oh, that he
might be able to turn them from their
purpose. Oh, that the people would
listen to him as he warned them
against the folly of going with Jo-
hanan and his followers.
why tarry l here?" he cried, impa-
tiently, when l should be lifting my
voice in Jerusalem?"
And in obedience to the self-imposed
challenge he arose Immediately and
went into the city.
Later in the day word reached
Johanan that jeremiah had returned |
and was speaking to the people, urg-
ing them to hear the voice of God and
go not down into Egypt.
"Yea," exclaimed Johanan, ve-
hemently, this very day the prophet
himself shall start on his journey to
Egypt, and there shall be a goodly
following him. Those who
would follow him instead of me shall
bear the brunt of the journey and shall
go before us to open the way"
And, suiting his actions to his
words, he hurried forth into the streets
and was soon directing his men to
seize the prophet and the people who
oIOOu VIII I1u W put luOLl III lSL- |
.ers and start with them on the long
Journey to Egypt.
Into Egypt" groaned the prophet,
oh, God, as though thy people had
lot known suffering enough" Then,
fitting up his head and turning upon
Tohanan, he fiercely cried: "Ye dis
;embler! Ye who sent me to inquire
If the Lord and then wouldst not re-
,eive his word, know certainly that ye
Ind those who follow you shall die by
he sword by the famine and by the
,estilence, in the place whittier ye de.
ire to go and to soiourn."
Enough, thou false prophet" cried
Tohanan, as. he motioned to his men
o move on with the prophet, thou
halt eat thine own words in the land
vhither thou shalt be carried"