Times-promoter., 1908-10-30

of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation, but
there is note of triumph running all
through, for his vision is clear and bright
of a better future which gives to him as
fully as to Isaiah the character of q
prophet of the gospel.
THE STORY.
XTHOU speakest falsely!"
Like the keen blade of a knife
the words cut through to the very
depths of Jeremiah's heart. Silently,
but with a look upon his face which
told of the depth of agony which
surged within, the prophet turned
from the group of men standing be-
fore him and walked away. Further
protest or pleading on his part were
useless. 1t was very plain that Jo.
hanan, the governor of Jerusalem, and
the band of men with him, had not
wanted Gods message, but rather in
dorsement of the course which they
had determined to follow, and when
the word of God had been directly
counter to these plans, they had
turned upon the prophet, fiercely de-
nouncing him as false prophet, and
declaring vehemently:
"The Lord our God hath not sent
thee to say, Go not into Egypt to So
journ there But Baruch, the son of
Neriah, setteth thee on against us,
for to deliver us into the hand of the
Chaldeans, that they might put us to
death, and carry us away captives
into Babylon"
Ten days before the scene with
which our story opens there had come
to jeremiah deputation headed by
Johanan earnestly beseeching him
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 it
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withdrawn to quiet retreat outside |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
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 it had rejoiced the heart of the
old prophet. How he had clung 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-
pile back to God. And now God had
given definite word that if the peo-
pie would continue to abide in the
and 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- +;
overs and the people, he plainly de-
,lared unto them all that God had
said. And while jeremiah had noted |
he disappointed look on the faces of I
he men before him as he spoke, he
vas not prepared for the angry out
)urst and the brutal condemnation:
Thou speakest falsely!" {
And with these words ringing the