St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-11-14


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 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 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 aff1iction 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 10.
hanan and his followers.
why tarry 1 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, We
hemently, this very day the prophet
himself shall start on his journey to
Egypt, and there shall be a goodly
company 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
stood with him and to put them in fet-
tiers and start with them on the long
journey to Egypt.
Unto Egypt" groaned the prophet,
ooh, God, as though thy people had
not known suffering enough" Then,
lifting up his head and turning upon
Johanan, he fiercely cried: Eye dis
sembler! We who sent me to inquire
of the Lord and then wouldst not re-
ceive his word, know certainly that ye
ard those who follow you shall die by
the sword, by the famine and by the
pestilence, in the place whittier We de-
sire to go and to soiourn."
Enough, thou false prophet" cried
Johanan. as he motioned to his men
to move on with the prophet, thou
shalt eat thine own words in the land
whittier thou shalt be carried"
The Sailors Prayer Book.