The Neshoba Democrat., 1909-09-30


gether, and said:
Behold, Jonathan and his company
are at ease, and dwell without care:
now therefore let us go to Bacchide;
and urge him to return thither, fol
except we have his help Jonathan ant
his men will destroy u.s."
So it came to pass that Bacchides
returned with strong army, but Jon
athan discounted him so that he was
| glad to make peace with him, but be
fore departing from the land he slew
in revenge many of the ungodly men
who had urged him to come thither
Thus the sword ceased from Israel
for that time, and Jonathan dwelt at
Michmas, and began to govern the
people. But he sought not the title
| OF king neither did he think to wear
the purple of rulers.
Now it came to pass that when Jon.
athan had established himself at Jeru-
salem, that Demetrius sought to make
alliance with him thinking to find op.
portunity to kill him. 1t was at this
time also that King Alexander, against
whom Demetrius had sent a great
army, also dispatched a deputation to
Jonathan saying:
We have heard of thee, that thou
art man of great power, and meet
to be our friend. Wherefore now this
day we ordain thee to be the high
priest Of thy nation, and to be called
the kings friend, that thou mayst take
our part and keep friendship with u.s."
Now Jonathan and the people were
we'll pleased when they heard these
words, because Alexander was the
first that had entreated true peace
with them, and they made pact with
him and were confederated with him
always.
So matters stood at the time when
King Alexander having slain Demet.
RUS in battle and scattered his army
had gone to Ptolemais to meet the king
of Egypt.
That was a great event for it was
there that Alexander was to marry
Cleopatra, the daughter of Ptolemee,
and the rulers and great men from all
the nations around had been invited
to be present at the royal celebration.
In the land of Judea it was quickly
noised abroad that an invitation had
come to Jonathan to attend the nup.
tials, and his followers rejoiced that
King Alexander had so remembered
and honored their leader.
But certain wicked fellows who
were enemies of Jonathan and sought
for occasion to discredit him and
weaken his power, entered into plot,
saying:
Let us go also to Ptolemais. We
will take gifts to King Alexander. and
because he will be in festive mood it
Will be easy to gain his ear, when we
shall be able to bring things to his
notice which will turn his heart
against Jonathan, so that he will no
longer be his friend"
In accordance with this plan thew
departed secretly for Ptolemais pre-.
pared to poison the mind of Alexander
against Jonathan. Now Jonathan had
not yet come to the city, a fact which
seemed to favor the plans of these
evil men, for having presented their
gifts they succeeded in gaining the
promise of Alexander that he would
hear certain petition which they
brought on the morrow.
Full of elation they departed, saying
among themselves:
IF Jonathan but delays his coming
but another day we shall win our
cause and instead of welcome there
will be disgrace before the king"
Expectantly therefore they came to
Alexander the next day, and the
spokesman stepped forth to declare
their matter, saying:
BE it known unto the king that
there are certain matters in our nation
which should come to the attention of
the king, for he whom the king thinks
is his ally and friend is dealing in de.
ceit and would do him hurt"
"Of whom speakest thou?" demand.
ed Cne King. BEFORE l hear further
let me know whom it is against whom
thou art bringing charges"
Jonathan" replied the man, with
evident reluctance.
Jonathan will be here" exclaimed
the king.
May, he hath not come and will
not, for he is plotting against thee"
mot another word" thundered Alex
ander, rising angrily from his seat
and would have spoken further but
at that moment shout rose from the
outer court and Jonathan and his fol.
lowers were ushered into the presence
of the king.
Here is the man whom the king
would HONOR he exclaimed, impet,1.
oasly. Come hither."
Jonathan wonderingly ascended the
throne steps, for he had not known
that his enemies had come to accuse
him.
The purple robe be thy portion for
thou art surely prince worthy tn
wear It," exclaimed the king, throw.
ing a garment over the shoulders ot
Jonathan Then Turning IN Tho ru,