Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1909-09-15


more and more the consciousness of
the utter folly and wickedness of his
course. and remorse filled his soul be-
cause OF his horrible sin in Offering ur
his beautiful son upon the outstretch
ed arms of the god Moloch.
What hath he ever done for you?'
came the query into his own heart
NO. but he hath robbed you of your
son." continued the inner voice in ar
gument.
The clank OF the chain sounded NJ
that moment and again the angry
emotions took full possession of him,
but these feelings gave way to the &C.
cusing voice of conscience which con.
tinued to speak. condemning him for
his sins and the sins into which he had
led the nation.
Would God hear him II he pray ed ?"
came the thought one day. Moloch,
whom he had served so faithfully
had not heard him when he had
prayed to him. neither had he cone to
his help.
Would God do better?"
20 Lord. Almighty God or our F'a,
theirs. Abraham. Isaac and Jacob. and
of their righteous seed" he exclaimed
In the agony of despair one day. look.
ing up to heaven and holding up the
manacled hands as though he would
show them to God.
Thou art the Lord God. indeed
he exclaimed. after silence, thou
art he who hast made heaven and
earth, with all the ornament thereof:
who hast bound the sea by the word
or thy commandment; who hast shut
up the deep, and sealed II by thy ter
rible and glorious name; whom all
men fear, and tremble before thy
power" His voice broke as he spoke
the words. Was this true?" he asked
himself. Then almost fiercely as
though he would strengthen his faith.
he cried:
Yea, II ia true. for the majesty OF
thy glory cannot be borne. and thine
angry threatening towards sinners 4,
improbable. But thy merciful promise
Is unreasonable and unsearchable:
for thou art the most high Lord, OF
great compassion. long-suffering. very
merciful and repentest of the evils OF
.'N'' Ahou' ~ Lulu, ACQUIRING 10 tnr
goodness. hast promised repentance
and forgiveness to them that have
sinned against thee; and OF thine in.
finite mercies hast appointed repent,
ance unto sinners, that they be
saved"
The thought as II swept over him
and he gave expression to II in words
brought much OF comfort and encour
agement. and he continued his suppl.
cation:
Thou, therefore. o Lord. thou art
the God of the just. hast not ap.
pointed repentance to the just. as to
Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob, which
have not sinned against thee. But
thou hast appointed repentance unto
me that am n sinner: for have
sinned above the number of the sands
or the sea. My transgressions. O
Lord, are multiplied. and / am not
worthy to behold and see the height
OF the heaven for the multitude OF
mine iniquities. am bowed down
with mnay iron bands, that / cannot
HIT up mine head. neither have any
release; for have provoked thy
wrath. and done evil before thee"
Again his voice broke under the
strain OF emotion which filed his
heart, for now that the currents of his
life had set in Godward everything
was swept before them, bringing
realizing sense OF the awful sins OF
which he had been guilty.
II did not thy will, neither kept !
denominations. and have multiplied of.
lenses. Now. therefore, / bow the
knee OF mine heart, beseeching thee
OF grace. / have sinned, o Lord.
have sinned. and acknowledge mine
iniquities. Wherefore / humbly be
seech thee. forgive me. o Lord for.
give me and destroy me not with
mine iniquities. Be not angry with
me forever, by reserving evil for me;
neither condemn me into the lower
parts OF the earth. For thou art the
God. even the God OF them that re.
peat; and in me thou wilt show all
thy goodness. For thou wilt save me.
that am unworthy, according to thy
great mercy. Therefore ! will praise
thee forever all the days Of my life:
for all the powers OF the heavens do
praise thee. and thine is the glory for.
ever and ever. Amen"
AS he finished, the query crept into
his cart:
Had God heard?"
In silence he sat there, given up
wholly to his thoughts. and he did not
hear the approaching footsteps, or
note that a messenger from the king
was standing near.
The king hath sent to release
thee" spake the voice.
With a startled cry of Joy, Manasse,
leaped to his feet. Could It be true,
or was he only dreaming. Thus did
he wonder while the chains were be
ing cut to release his hands and his
feet, but on the long journey back to