Mexico Missouri message., 1909-07-22

! claimed.
Il wilt 1 will set 1t down in book,
and It shall be not only for our people
here but for those who are living
amidst the ruins of our beloved Jeru-
salem. We must keep before the peo-
pie that 1t is only as we turn to God
and serve him that blessing can come
and deliverance be wrought"
With this new resolve burning in
his heart he returned home and the
| days which followed found him busy
over his parchment. Instead of his
| former goings and comings among his
people he shut himself in to his
task, and they, noting his absence,
began to question among themselves
as to what 1t could mean. Some said
he was writing out a plea to the king
of Babylon in behalf of his people,
while others said, NAY, he is giving
himself to visions and dreams and no
good will come OF 1t to him or his
people"
Still others, who were among the
faithful, contended that he was I'M
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:
I'VE 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
Israels 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 ard 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
sinned before thee. For thou en-.
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 iniquity of our foreiathers,
that sinned before thee. Behold, we
are yet this day in our captivity,
where thou hast scattered us, for n
Teproach and 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 to
himself: Now will they listen to my
pleadings for the desolats 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 and
of their brethren the poor and de-
spised whom the king of Babylon had
left amidst the ruins Of the beautiful
city.
Here, we have plenty. Eack there
there is great want Let US send 70
them"
"Yea, we will! We will" shouted
the people and they at once made
a collection of money according to
every mans power, and they made
up an offering and cent 1t unto Jeru-
salem, unto Joachim the high priest,
and they sent word, saying:
Behold, we have sent you money
to buy you burnt offerings, and sin
offerings and incense, and prepare ye
mama and offer upon the altar of the
Lord our God. And We shall read this
book, which Baruoh is sending unto
you, and ye shall say, To the Lord
unto us the confusion OF faces And
now, o Lord our God, we have sinned,
we have done ungodly. we have dealt
, unrighteously in all thine ordinances,
let thy wrath turn from us; for we are
but a few left among the heather,
where thou has scattered US. Hear
our prayers, o Lord"