St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-08-07

former goings and com1ngs among MI
people he shut himself in to his
task, and they, noting his absence
began to question among themselves
as to what it could mean. Some said
he was writing out plea to the kins
of Babylon in behalf of his people,
while others said, May, he Is giving
himself to visions and dreams and no
good will come of it to him or his
people"
Still others, who were among the
faithful, contended that he was un.
doubtedly engaged in the work OF
the Lord and would in good time
give them the benefit of any message
which the Lord might have for them.
And this suggestion on the part OF
the few caused their hearts to be"
come troubled. for said they:
1--WE do need to remember that we
are in sore straits because Of our
sins and the sins of our fathers, and
we must no longer be stubborn of
heart, but must be penitent before
God and be ready to hear his mes
sage"
So they talked thus among them
selves and their hearts became tender.
and they repented of the evil which
they had done, and again their hearts
began to turn In longing towards Jeru-
salem.
Then one day the message went
forth among the Jews who dWelt at
Babylon asking that they assemble
themselves by the river side, for
Baruch had somewhat to say unto
them. So it was that on the follow
ing day when they were all gathered
together that Baruch came with his
great scroll in his hand. And the
people all crowded around to hear,
and Baruch did read the words of the
scroll which he had written therein.
And as he unfolded the sad history OF
Israers waywardness and sin through
out the long years, and how in mercy
and love God had dealt with them and
had at last permitted the mighty king
of Babylon to come In and utterly
destroy and scatter the nation, the
people fell upon their faces and wept.
Then they lifted up their voices and
cried:
20 Lord Almighty, God of Israel, the
soul in anguish, the troubled spirit
crieth unto thee. Hear, o Lord, and
have mercy; for thou art merciful.
Have pity on us, because We have
csr hot +Inn For 4hAfI
durest forever and we perish utterly
Remember not the iniquities of our
forefathers, but think upon thy power
and thy name, and praise thee in Our
captivity. For we have called to mind
all the iniquityI of our forefathers
that sinned before thee. Behold, we
are yet this day in our captivity
| where thou hast scattered us, for q
reproach and a curse, and to be sub
ject to tribute, according to all the
iniquities OF our fathers, which de
parted from the Lord our God"
And as they prayed thus, Baruch's
heart was made glad, and he said tt
himself: Nov will they listen to my
pleadings for the desolate Jerusalem
and will send succor back to those
who are in sore stress amidst the
ruins"
| And when the voices of the people
had ceased Baruch spoke TO them Of
Jerusalem and her departed glory ant
| of their brethren the poor and de
| spised whom the king of Babylon hat
left amidst the ruins of the beautiful
city.
Here, we have plenty. Tack there
there is great want. Let us send tt
them"
"Yea, we will! We will" shouted
the people and they at once made
a collection of money according tt
every mans power, and they made
up an offering and sent it unto Jeru
salem, unto Joachim the high priest
and they sent word, saying:
Behold, we have sent you none!
to buy you burnt offerings, and sill
offerings and incense, and prepare Y,
mama and offer upon the altar of tn
Lord our God. And ye shall read thi
book, which Baruch is seadingj unit
you, and We shall say, ITO the Lor'
our God belongeth righteousness, blu
unto us the confusion of faces. An,
now, o Lord our God, we have sinned
we have done ungodly, we have deal
unrighteously in all thine ordinances
let thy wrath turn from us; for we ar
but a few left among the heather
where thou has scattered us. Hea
our prayers, o Lord!"