The Tupelo journal., 1909-09-24

well do as Judas has counseled us"
When Eupolemus ceased speaking
every eye in the group was turned
with evident approval upon Judas.
Tell is more of these mighty Ro
mars they exclaimed.
1T were almost impossible to tell
all concerning the spread of the pow
er of the Romans" he said. They
have discounted Philip in battle, and
Perseus, king of the Citims, with
others who lifted themselves UP
against them. And then there was
~Antiochus, the great king of Asia,
that came against them in battle, hav.
ing an hundred and twenty elephants,
with horsemen and chariots, and a
very great army, and Notwithstanding
all this he was discounted before
Them
But" spoke one of the group, do
we not need to fear that the Romans
may deal deceitfully with us and,
after W. have made league with them,
they will turn and make us their serv-
ants?"
Nay" spake up another, whose
name was Jason, 1.-The Romans have
never done SO. With their friends and
such as rely upon them they keep
amity; but whoever has chosen to be
counted as an enemy the Romans
have displaced them. Greatly are the
Romans exalted in the eyes of all the
world, and yet none of the Romans,
however great, has ever worn a
crown, or was clothed in purple. In
stead, they have made for themselves
a senate chamber wherein 800 men sit
in council daily, consulting always for
the people, to the end that the affairs
of the whole nation may be well or
dered. They commit the government
to n man every year, and he ruleth
over all the country, and all are obedi-
ent unto him, and there is neither
envy nor emulation among them"
This statement of Jason proved the
%clinching argument, and Immediately
there was unanimous request that
Judas should select those who should
go to Rome On the mission of peace
and friendship.
Whom better could we select than
Eupolemus and Jason?" said Judas,
after a few moments silence. Eye
have all heard them speak. They have
great faith in them. Let them go as
our representatives"
With one accord they all gave as.
sent. The next day these men de-
parted on the long journey, commits.
stoned to make a league of amity and
confederacy with the Romans and to
entreat them that they would take
the yoke from them, for it was only
too apparent that the Grecians pur.
posed to put them in bondage.
And when at last these two men,
Eupolemus and Jason, had come in to
the senate, they spake and said:
Judas Maccabeus, with his breth.
rem and the people of the Jews, have
sent us unto you to make a confed.
eracy and peace with you and that
we might be registered your confed.
crates and friends"
Now after the senate considered
this appeal it was well pleased and
this is the copy of the epistle which
the senate wrote back again on tables
of brass and sent to Jerusalem, that
there they might nave by them a me-
mortal of peace and confederacy:
Good success be to the Romans,
and to the people of the Jews, by sea
and land forever. The sword also and
come first any war upon the Romans
or any of their confederates through
out all their dominion the people of
the Jews shall help them, as the time
shall be appointed, with all their
heart. Neither shall they give any.
thing unto them that make wal upon
them, or aid them with victuals,
weapons, money or ships, as it hath
seemed good into the Romans; but
they shall keep their covenants with,
out taking anything therefor. In the
same manner also, if war come first
upon the nation of the Jews, the Ro-
mans shall help them with all their
heart, according as the time shall be
appointed them. Neither shall vic.
tuals be given to them that take part
against them, or weapons, or money,
or ships, as it hath seemed good to
the Romans; but they shall keep their
covenants, and that without deceit"
According to these articles did the
Romans make covenant with the peo-
pie of the Jews, and then they added
as follows:
"Howbeit, if hereafter the one party
or the other shall think meet to add
or diminish anything, they may do
it at their pleasure, and whatsoever
they shall add or take away shall be
ratified. And as touching the evils
that Demetrius doeth to the Jews, we
have written unto him saying:
Wherefore hast thou made thy yoke
heavy upon our friends and confeder
ates, the Jews? If therefore they
complain any more against thee, we
will do them justice and fight with
thee by sea and land"
Now when Eupolemus and Jason re.
turned to their land the Jews held
great jubilation, and Demetrius trou.
bled them no more.
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