St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-01-23


that the Jews were forgetting their
beloved Jerusalem and were losing
their desire to return thither?"
And then had come over him the
realizing sense that he was growing
old.
Yes, SO years is a long time, and
here we find that generation has
grown up which never saw Jerusalem
and whose love for national life there
has never been kindled." And at the
thought Daniel arose uneasily and be-
gan to pace back and forth. Soon
will be gone" he exclaimed, as he ran
his fingers through the abundant
white locks which fell abont his head.
Soon there will be none left of those
who came ont of Jerusalem. And when
they are gone where shall we look for
those who love thy gates, o Jerusalem,
and who long to return thither?"
It was almost a sob with which
Daniel ended the words, but he was
not one to- give up to helpless, hope
less foreboding Rather, when he be-
came conscious of threatening condi
ton, did he set himself resolutely to
providing for the contingency and
overcoming the difficulty.
1T cannot, it must not be-" he ex-
claimed, as he seated himself again
NAY, there are the promises of God
which speak of the return to Jerusa-
lem. We must bestir ourselves and
quicken the people with the words Of
the prophets. Yea, was it not brave
old jeremiah who wrote Of the re-
turn?" he exclaimed, after a long ST.
lence in which he sat deep in thought.
In obedience to the inspiration, he
arose and, after a search through his
cabinet, he drew forth a parchment
roll now yellow with age, and seating
himself where the light came through
the window and fell upon the scroll in
his hand, he began to unroll and to
read.
Hour after hour he sat there porting
over the roll, eagerly searching for
some word regarding the return of the
Jews to Jerusalem, which he felt sure
was there. The evening shadows be-
gan to gather and he bent closer over
the writing, which the failing light
made increasingly hard to read. And
at last, when he could no longer see,
he let the roll fall into his lap and
gave himself up to meditation.
That which he had been reading had
been the portion of jeremiah where
the prophet cried out against the in.
EQUITIES Of Jerusalem and warned the
city of the certain judgment of God
for it's sim
"Ah, Israel hath indeed sinned. Can
it be that God can forgive? Can it be
that he has not cast off his people for
ever?" So the aged Daniel questioned,
and then, selling the roll again, and
calling a servant to bring light, he
seated himself at his table and con-
tinued his study of the writings Of
jeremiah.
1T is here, know it is here" he
exclaimed over and over to himself
Fatigue Of body and the need of
sleep were forgotten in the intense
eagerness to find in the roll the prom.
Use which would reassure his heart
concerning his people. So passed the
long hours Of the night and still the
aged man sat there porting over the
scroll before him. The light began to
break in the east and tinge the sky
with rosy promise of day. And then
the gray streaks of dawn began to
creep into the room. Still Daniel read
eagerly on and on. Suddenly a great
light broke over the face Of the man
and he sprang to his feet, while a cry
Of joy burst from his lips.
Here it is! Here it is! Here it isl"
he exclaimed over and over again.
And he read aloud:
For thus saith the Lord, that after
seventy years be accomplished at
Babylon will visit you and perform
my good word toward you, in causing
you to return to this place. For know
the thoughts think towards you, saith
the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of
evil, to give you an expected end.
Then shall We call upon me, and We
shall go and pray unto me, and I will
hearken unto you. And We shall seek
me and find me, when ye shall search
for me with all your heart. And / will
be found of you, saith the Lord; and !
will turn away your captivity, and |
will gather you from all nations, and
from all the places whittier l have
drivea you, saith the Lord; and will
bring you again into the place whence
I caused you to be carried away cap
tive"
Seventy years?" Daniel unused,
after he had finished reading. And
then he fell to figuring, and the mes
sage which the figures brought to him
caused him to lift his eyes in sudden
exultation, as he exclaimed, fervently:
1.-THE time is at hand. Jerusalem
will yet ring with the praise of the
Jews to their God, who is ever faithful,
and whose promises never fail.