Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1909-04-15

ulAut"h IN TtaAAnA oE Ft@f3[
eies which the prophets be-
fore him had left. Particularly did
he enjoy the visions which Isaiah gave
81 the Promised One who should
come IN bring glory and power to
Israel.
Can II be that these things shall
bef he asked himself over and over
again after the falling light had put
a stop TO his reading and he sat deep
in thought.
All" he exclaimed. at the thought
that his question sounded like
doubt. 4 DO not mean that aues-
tion that such things shall be. but Il
seems so wonderful in the face Of the
terrible sins Of the people. Yes" he
exclaimed. as though answering
question he had put TO himself. they
40 cling 10 the old ceremonies ~
iealously claim Abraham as their fac
Their and Ahraham's God as their God.
but the hearts Of the people are not
right and they worship not IN SINGER
ny. Blu; Il would seem As though God
could never send biessi--Aeopls
which has 40 vickedly forgotten M
7 have promised that in the seeA
~ Abraham all the nations Of the
earth shall Ne blessed. and 50 they
shall b . Thus spake a voice in the
ear Of Malachi The prophet started.
EuiltfIy Had he ~dishonored God By
bis questionings-
Yea. Lord he said. softly. 7 know
thy promises are sure They have
been fulfilled in the past They will
b fulfilled in the DAYS 20 come"
And little dost thou realize all
that the promises to Abraham mean"
sgain cane the voice 10 him.
Malachi bowed his head humbly as
the rebuke drove itself into his heart.
After all how specifically he judged
God and his promises. How finite and
limited his mind as IL strove to com
prshend the things Of the infinite God
And then. as though God were reading
his thoughts and answering him. the
voice spoke again and said.
And not only are my WAYS past
finding out. but I choose to work my
wonders through the most humble
channels Remember. II vas the
poor widow Of Zarephafh. and she not
4 lev to whom Elijah was sent. and
BY whom he and she and her son
we're fed for many days upon the little
sour and the oil which she had in the
house
". ~u--aa Ns.t--hF .wt-Nfw
7 did often hear Zechariah the proph-
q declare the word which had come
unto him. saying; Not by might nor
By power but BY my spirit. saith he
Lord 81 hosts Surely u vas 80 in
his case. and it Is always true where
IA puts his trust In thee
Dark though the way appear.
again spake the voice. and few
though there be who remain faithful
10 the God OF Israel. vet remember
that there are those whose hearts
have not forgotten the God OF Abra
ham and Isaac and Jacob. and u Is
BY the faithof these few that my prom
ises shall yet BE- brought 10 pass
How wonderful exclaimed Mala-
chi. lifting hts eyes toward HEAVIER in
fervid worship.
Yea. speak your words Of warning
to priest and people continued the
voice. but forget not the few whose
hearts are tender towards ne and
who are looking for the fulnllment Of
the promises OF a d~eliverer.-
All. in my distress Of heart. and
my encouragement. I had forgotten.
exclaimed Malachi. with almost a sob.
4 have cen only the ~wiekedness and
the vayvardness Of the people. I
have forgotten those whom | still can
count On as friends. n who are
eager to near the word Of God
spoken. And Malachi began running
over the few scattered M in Jeru-
salem and throughout the country
who had kept themselves ~unspotted
from the worldliness and wickedness
OF the nation.
Surely they need the message. II
the others will o listen | will go
and speak to them. exclaimed Mala
chi. with sudden resolve.
Yea. thou hast well spoken re
sponded the voice. Go and tell them
OF the Coming One. for behold. I will
send n messenger. and he shall pre-
pare the way before ne: and the
Lord. whom We seek. shall suddenly
come To his temple. ever the messen-
ger Of the Covenant. whom We delight
in. behold. he shall come. saith the
Lord Of hosts. But who may abide
the day OF his coming7 And who shall
stand when he appearethF for he is a
refner's fire. and like fuller's sope.
And he shall sit as a refnsr and puri-
fer OF silver; and shall purify the
sons of Levi. and purge them as gold
and silver. that they may offer unto
the Lord an Offering in righteousness"
With a glad cry Malachi arose, the
darkness all gone by the brightness
of the message.
Yea, | will 40 and tell. The day
will come even as God hath said"
Z