St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-03-27

plucked out great handfuls and the
rent garments. Never would he for
get that voice as it demanded in stern
tones that the pledge to this thing be
taken. And he and the other priests
and Levites and the people gathered
there before Ezra had taken the sol
emn VOW that they would each and
every one put away the strange wives
as Shechaniah had promised.
And as Jareb stood out there under
| the stars after it was all over, he
wondered how he could ever carry out
the pledge he had made. True he had
taken the daughter Of the peo-
pie of the land, but she was
beautiful, and he loved her and the
| child which had been born to them.
And now he must put her away. He
| had sworn that he would obey the law
of God.
He knew in the depths of his heart
that in thus pledging he had done
right. And yet on the other hand there
was the natural affection and desire
Of his own heart. He had permitted
his affections to be cultivated in for
hidden and unholy directions. He had
| turned deaf ear to the promptlngs
| of his conscience, as he had permit
ter the charms of the woman he mar"
ried TO enmesh him. Others were do
| ing the same thing, why could not he
take a wife from among the people OF
the land? This woman was beautiful,
and her father rich. Why should he
not crafty the desires of his own
| heart?
So the easy pathway of desire and
pleasure had been Travelled, and now
he had come face to face with his sin.
Now he had come to the parting of the
ways. The crisis of his life was upon
him. The conflict between Gods law
and the desires of his own heart had
| begun.
How could he give up the thing
which had come to fill such place in
his life and heart? How could he
break the news to the woman whom
he had taken to be his wife?
All, the awful agony Of that hour OF
struggle. He had pledged his word,
and he knew he had pledged Alright,
but oh, how could he carry out the
cruel decree against himself and the
woman and child in his home?
But l must give up one or the
other" he cried, as he lifted his eyes
to heaven. ooh, it cannot be my God,
the God of Abraham and Isaac and
Jacob! If turn from him cut my
self off from all the promises of my
people-oh, 1 cannot! And yet, oh,
how can do this other thing?"
But neither your wife nor her peo-
pie believe in your God" spoke up
his accusing conscience. Yea, more,
there is a secret contempt in her
heart for your people and your reli-
gion, and you know how she would
turn you completely from following
your God"
YEA, l know" Jarih cried out in
anguish, but / love her in spite Of it
ALL"
And all because you have allowed
this evil love to grow up in your life,
and have not held yourself to your
pledge of loyalty to the God of Is
rael," came back the accusing voice Of
conscience.
Jarib bowed his head and was silent.
He knew it was true. He knew he
alone was to blame.
"Ah, sin demands an awful price"
he sighed. The easiest way to walk
is the road which leads along the line
of Gods law. Oh, if I had not gone
into the ways of the world. Oh, if
when this temptation had first come
| had only turned from it.
But the past is gone. 1t Is too late
to recall it," again came the voice Of
conscience. There is only one way
that leads towards God, and that is
straight ahead. You cannot go back
and undo the past, but you can or
der your life now according to Gods
perfect law"
Yes, can, and I WILL cried Jarib,
determinedly, May God help me to
keep my pledge to him, and as far as pos
sible to make atonement for the great
sin which l have committed in Israel."