The Meeker herald., 1909-07-03

ut IL this: Lst every one Of us
speak . sentence. He that shall over
come. and whose sentences shall seem
wiser than the others, unto him shall
the king. Darius. give great gifts. and
great things in token Of victory. And
when It shall Be 10. the ono who thus
wins tho favor of ths king shall
choose for our people the help they
need"
Agreed" the other two cried.
Then every one wrote his sentence.
sealed It and won the consent Of the
kings private chamberlain to place
the writings near his couch where he
would sec them upon nrst rising.
30 It came to pass that when the
king had risen and had opened the
writings, be read what the nrst had
written, namely: Wine 10 the strong
est"
And the second read: The king 10
the strongest"
| And the third read: Women are
tho strongest; but above all things
truth beareth away the victory"
And when he had summoned all his
princes and governors and captains.
and had sat down in Ills judgment
hall, he commanded that the young
mon who had propounded the riddles
should be brought before them, that
they might declare their writings.
For" said the king. "by all the power
Of my kingdom he who proves the
declaration Of his writing shall re-
ceive favor from the king"
Then began the frst, who has spo-
ken Of the strength Of wine. and said:
20 70 men. how exceeding strong IL
wine! It causeth all men to err that
drink It. 1t maketh the mind Of the
king and Of the fatherless child to b
all one; Of the bondman and Of the
freeman: Of the poor man and Of the
rich. 1t turneth also every thought
into jollity and mirth. 70 that . man
remembereth neither sorrow nor debt.
And 1t maketh every heart rich, %
that q man remembereth neither king
nor governor: and 1t maketh to speak
all things by talents. And whom they
are In their cups. they forget their
love both to friends and brethren, and
little after draw out swords. And
when they are out from the power Of
the wine, they remember not what
they have done. o ye men, 10 not
wine the strongest, that enforceth to
do thus?"
Thus spake the first young man.
and the king beckoned to the second
to rise and address the assemblase,
which he did, ~ follows:
20 70 men. do not men excel In
strength, that bear rule over sea and
land, and all things in them! But yet
the king il more mighty; for he 10
the lord Of all these things. and hath
dominion over them; and whatsoever
be commandeth them. thsy do. Il hs
bid them make war the ons against
the other, they do II. II he, send thsm
out against the enemies. they 30. and
break down mountains, walls and tow
ers. They slay and are slain. and
transsrsss not the kings command.
mont. II they get the victory. they
bring all to the king. a. well the spoil.
~ all things else. Likewise for those
that are NO soldiers. and have not to
do with wars, but use husbandry.
when they have reaped again that
which they had sown. they bring 1t to
the king, and compel one another to
pay tribute unto the king. 80 all his
people and his armies obey him. o 70
men, how should not the king b
mightiest, when in such sort he II
obeyed"
Thus spake the second. and ceased.
Then Zorobabel stood forth and lift
ing his eyes to the king declared his
riddle, ~ follows:
20 ye men, It IL not the great king,
nor the multitude Of men. neither II It
wine that excelleth. Who II 1t then
that ruleth them. or that hath lord
ship over them? Are they not wom-
en-? Women have borne the king
and all people that bear rule by sea
and land. A man leaveth his own IA
Their who brought him mp. and his own
country, and cleaveth unto his wife.
Many also have persisted, have erred.
and sinned for women. And now do
ye not believe me? 10 not the king
great in his power! Do not all regions
fear to touch him? Yet did see him
and Apame the kings wife. sitting at
the right hand Of the king, and taking
the crown from the kings head, and
setting 1t on her own head. She also
struck the king with her left hand in
her mirth, and he spake no harsh
word unto her. o ye men. are not
women strong? Great IL tho earth.
high ID the heaven, swift IL the sun
In his course, for he compasseth the
heavens round about, and fetcheth his
course again to his own place In one
day. Is he not great who made these
things? Therefore great 10 Truth,
and stronger than all things. Wine IL
wicked, the king is wicked, women are
wicked. all the children Of men are
wicked. and such are all their wicked
works. But AZ for truth, 1t endureth,
and is always strong. It liveth and