The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1908-10-30

in earnest, agonizing prayer, and had
revealed to him his purpose concern
ing those who still remained in the
half-ruined city Of Jerusalem. What
was left of the beloved city Of Zion
should be preserved, If only those who
still remained there would continue to
abide in the city and trust God to de-
liver them from all harm and evil.
How 1t had rejoiced the heart of the
old prophet. How he had chung to
the sacred place. When he had had
the privilege of finding ease and safety
under the friendly protection of Neb-
uzar-adan, one of the chief captains
of the Chaldean army, if he would
only go to Babylon, he had chosen
rather to return to Jerusalem and suf
fer privation and danger with the few
who still remained there. How he had
prayed and how he had worked to
bring order out Of chaos and cause
the deep suffering and distress Of the
people to turn the hearts of the peo-
pie back to God. And now God had
given definite word that II the peo-
pie would continue to abide in the
land he would save them and de-
liver them from the hand of Nebuchad-
nezZar, whom they feared.
Hopefully, therefore, jeremiah had
gathered together Johanan and his fol-
lowers and the people, he plainly de-
clared unto them all that God had
said. And while jeremiah had noted
the disappointed look ON the faces of
the men before him as he spoke, he
was not prepared for the angry out
burst and the brutal condemnation:
Thou speakest falsely"
And with these words ringing the
death knell to all the hope he had had
for better things for Jerusalem, Jere-
miah turned and passed out of the
city and slowly wendell 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
Johanan's eye flashed and sneer
was upon his face as he exclaimed:
The narrow minded reprobate. 1t
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
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 oil
Nebuchadnezzar. Yea, Jeremiah shall
go into Egypt, and he shall eat bread
and water of affection while we enjoy
the bounty of Pharaoh's goodness"
And jeremiah in his retreat was
bowed low in prayer, and while 10
hanan and his followers were plot
| ting he was pouring out his grief
stricken heart to God. He knew thai
God had spoken and that only evi
could come to the people should they
go down into Egypt. Oh, that he
might be able to turn them from theil
purpose. Oh, that the people would
! listen to him as he warned then
against the folly of going with 10
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-imposet
challenge he arose Immediately ane
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 anC
go not down into Egypt.
Yea" exclaimed Johanan, We
hemently, this very day the prophe
himself shall start on his journey t.
Egypt, and there shall be a goodl,
company following him. Those wht
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 hi!
words, he hurried forth into the street.
and was soon directing his men K
seize the prophet and the people wht
stood with him and to put them in fet
tiers and start with them on the lon,
journey to Egypt.
Into Egypt" groaned the prophet
ooh, God, as though thy people hat
not known suffering enough" Then
Johanan, he fiercely cried: Eye dis
sembler. Ye who sent me to inquire
Of the Lord and then wouldst not re
ceive his word, know certainly that "
ard those who follow you shall die b,
the sword, by the famine and by tn,
pestilence, in the place whittier We de
sire to go and to sojourn."
Enough, thou false prophet" erie,
Johanan, as he motioned to his mel
to move on with the prophet, tho,
shalt eat thine own words in the Ian,
whittier thou shalt be carried"
The Sailors Prayer Book.
This is what you call the sailor
prayer book" a seaman said bitterly