The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-23

A thrill of hope and enthusiasm passed through the nation, and every where the people busy in building walls and raising watch towers, so that confidence was restored in the hearts of the people, and they began to give themselves with new zeal to the peaceable pursuits of the nation
 But two plague spots ate as worm
 into the vitals of the nation. one was the city of Gaza and the other was the strong tower in Jerusalem which was still held by the Gentiles who had gained possession of 1t years before.
 The fruits of peace and prosperity cannot be enjoyed while there be those which defy our rule and au- thority." exclaimed Simon, one day to his advisers. T am minded to go against Gaza, and also to conquer those who are holding the strong tower in Jerusalem"
 Thou hast spoken we'll" exclaimed the men around him. We shall serve thee in this thing"
 So Simon beseiged Gaza and when he found that his soldiers were unable ] to take it with their ordinary weapons l he set about making great engine of war and soon the city of Gaza was re- 1 duced to ruin.
 And now for Jerusalem and those who still trouble the inhabitants of the place"
 Shall blood flow also there?"
 Yea, indeed" replied Simon, flor there can be no peace while yet there be those who know not our God or who will not obey his will but choose to trouble his people,.
 So he came to Jerusalem with his picked men and day after day he drew in his forces closer and closer about the tower until at last they who were therein were in such straits that they had neither food nor drink and were on the verge of famine. So they cried unto Simon and entreated him that he would spare them. This Simon did, but he put them out utterly from the tower and city, and cleansed the tower from all it's pollutions.
 There was great celebration held with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and with harps and cym- bals. and with viols. and hymns, and songs. because there was destroyed a great enemy out of Israel. And Simon ordained that the day should be kept every year with gladness.
 So it came to pass that the land of Judea was quiet all the days of Simon, for he sought the good of his nation in such wise as that evermore his au' thority and honor pleased them well And as he was honorable in all his acts, so in this. that he took Joppe for haven and made an entrance to the isles of the sea. and enlarged the bounds of the nation and recovered the country, so that the people came to speak of the wonderful blessing which God had bestowed upon them.
 Yea" said one old man as he sat in the gate of the city and talked over the peace and prosperity which had come upon the nation, hath not a new age dawned? Is not now our na' tion to rule from sea to sea and from the waters unto the ends of the earth?"
 Thou speakest as some of the prophets of old" exclaimed the people, as they crowded around to listen.
 And we'll might we all, for was it not of just such time as this that the prophets did write?"
 But Rome still rules the world, spoke up one of the group.
 she is not our master, but our friend spake the old man with some spirit She has accorded our people and our religion a place, and honored our ambassadors which were received at Rome. Why then should we not feel that the great day has come in Israel? When before has the land brought forth so bountifully? When have our streets been so filled with honorable trade? When have the peo' ple come every man into his own pos session all through the land? Every man now sits under his own vine and fig-tree with none to molest or make afraid
 Yea" spake up another. and see how the law is searched out by our wise men and how it is honored by the people"
 True" exclaimed the old man of the group. evidently pleased with the affirmation of his own views, T say 1 again that the times of which the prophets of old spake have come to pass. Listen" and taking a scroll from the folds of his robe he unrolled It and read:
 "But in the last days it shall come to pass. that the mountain of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted | above the hills, and il shall be ex alted. Has this not come to passT And with a shout, the people cried: Amen"