St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-05-29

also that turn to. his law; and that he
is bountiful, for he Is ready to give
where it is needed; and that he is OF
great mercy, for he multiplieth more
and more mercies to them that are
present, and that are past, and also
to them which are to come. For II ne
shall not multiply his mercies, the
world would not continue with them
that inherit therein. And he pardon
eth; for If he did not SO of his good
ness, that they which have committed
iniuuities might be eased of them, the
ten thousandth part of men should not
remain living. And being judge, II
he should not forgive them that are
cured with his word, and put out the
multitude of contentious, there should
be very few left peradVenture in an In
Vulnerable multitude" answered
Esdras, sigh escaping him as he con-
templated the wonder and the mystery
of it all.
eyes," exclaimed the angel, come
with me. l will show you
Esdras arose at the bidding and fol-
lowed the angel on and on and on
until it seemed as though they had
left the earth and were looking back
upon it as it lay beneath them. Then
spake the angel, as he pointed before
them:
1.-THE sea is set in wide place, that
it might be deep and great. But note
hot &c n a
river. Who, then, could go. into the
sea to look upon it and to rule it, If
he went not through the narrow en-
| trance?"
"Look, ALSO" continued the angel,
after pause, and pointing in another
| direction, "for city is builded, and
set upon broad field, and is full OF
all good things. The entrance thereof
is narrow, and is set in a dangerous
place to fall, like as if there were fire
on the right hand, and on the left a
deep water. And one only path be,
tween them both, even between the
fire and the water, so small that there
could but one man go there at once"
With GREATNESS interest Esdras
watched the scene before him, while
the angel talked, and the angel con-
tinued:
IF this city now were given to a
man for an inheritance, if he never
shall pass the danger set before it,
how shall he receive this inheri-
tance?"
Surely, it is so, Lord" responded
Esdras, as the angel ceased speaking.
"Yea, and even so is Israel's por'
ton. Because for their sakes made
the world. And when Adam trans
crossed my statute, then was decreed
that which now is done. Then were
the entrances to the world made mar
row, full Of sorrow and travail. They
are but few and evil, full of perils and
very painful For the entrances of the
elder world were wide and sure, and
brought immortal fruit. If then they
that live labor not to enter this
straight way, they can never receive
those things which are laid up fol
them"
Esdras, who had followed the words
of the angel without taking his eyes
off the scene before him, now turned
and was about to speak, when the
angel continued, almost reproachfully
"Now, therefore, Esdras, why dis
quietest thou myself, seeing thou an
but a corruptible man? And why ar
thou moved concerning these myster
les, seeing thou art but mortal man
Why hast thou not considered in thy
mind this thing that is come, rather
J than that which is PRESENT."
20, Lord" exclaimed Esdras, liftinE
) his eyes now and speaking as though
J addressing the God whose angel wa
before him, thou who dearest rule
thou hast ordained in thy law that th'
righteous should inherit these things
and that the ungodly should perish
5 Nevertheless, 1t does seem that tn
} righteous shall suffer and be straight
5 ened and yet hope for the wide. The,
that have done wickedly have suffere
5 the straight things and yet shall no
see the wide"
Listen" interrupted the angel, 80
I must now leave thee. Remember
that there is no judge above God, an
( none that hath understanding abov
the Highest. For this reason there b
8 many that perish because they d.
; spise the Lord and his law"