The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-10-31

that he, the prophet, should seek the
presence Of their God and learn his
will concerning the remnant which
still remained in Jerusalem. And when
he had assented to do this thing for
them they had solemnly pledged to
obey, saying:
Whether it be good or evil, we
will obey the voice of the Lord our
God, to whom we send thee; that 1t
may be well with us, when we obey
the voice of the Lord our God"
And with these reassuring words
ringing in his ears. jeremiah had
withdrawn to a quiet retreat outside
the walls OF Jerusalem, whittier he
was wont secretly to go when desir-
Gus of perfect quiet, and undisturbed
communion with God. There God had
met him after he had spent ten days
in earnest, agonizing prayer, and had
revealed to him his purpose concern
ing those who still remained in the
h%alf-ruined city Of Jerusalem. What
was left of the beloved city OF Zion
should be preserved, If only those who
still renamed there would continue to
abide in the city and trust God to de-
liver them from all harm I'M evil.
How it 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 if 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
returned to Jerusalem, and having
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 were 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 a sheer
was upon his face as he exclaimed:
"The narrow-minded r%eprobate! 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 : I'll 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 affection while we enjoy
the bounty of Pharaoh's goodness"
And jeremiah in his retreat was
bowed low in prayer, and while Jo-
ldIdu dlu Ills lOWCl WCIO put |
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 tley
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 10
hanan and his followers.
why tarry l here?" he cried, impa-
tiently, when I 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
not down into Egypt.
"Yea," exclaimed Johanan, We
this very day the prophet
cho11 c4or% IN biC iOI1rDav Tn /