Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1909-04-08

great evils OF the day and denouncine
them ia the name OF our God. But
thought he had departed. for after We
had denounced him and threatened
him nothing more was heard OF him
Wen. he Is very active. now. sure
". and with some OF the people al
least Il II plain 20 see that he Is held
as a prophet"
The leader of the PRIESTS gritied nj.
teeth and muttered almost incohercnt.
ly. so angry was he:
What right hath he to speak with
out authority from the priests, He is
only preaching heresy. but Is under.
mining the very life Of the nation.
what will become Of us II the people
OF our nation come to believe that we
are To be set aside and the dogs OF
heathen about us are 60 become SUI
preme, Nay. Il is impossible. Our God
Is the Gsd Of the Jew but not OF the
Genfilc. except he become a Jew. II
not that right according to the law of
Moses?"
Thou hast stated II exactly" re
sponded the others.
Then how can We permit this fei.
low TO continue TO speak not only
against the truth which Moses hath
spoken. but also against the present
continuance Of our nation Are not
the daily offerings made4 Is not the
temple worship maintaincds Is not
the incense burned Then what know.
eth this fellow more than We. or what
complaint hath he TO make concerning
these thlngsr"
Let US bring him before us and
question him concerning these
things" ventured one OF the number.
As you have said. II will not do 10
suffer this fellow TO continue 10
preach such doctrine"
Who will bring him. questioned
the leader. dubiously. Perhaps he
VIII not come without violence. and
who knows but that the people may
turn against us and stand in his de-
fense."
Let us go then. in body" an
swered the priest. who had ventured
the first suggestion.
Agreed" they all exclaimed in uni.
son.
Bring the scroll containing the Law
OF Moses. and We will refute this here
sy TO his face. and before all the peo
pie. exclaimed the leader. We will
show him that the God OF Abraham.
Isaac and Jacob is not the God Of the
Gentiles. except they become Jews"
And so this imposing body OF men.
In their priestly robes. marched forth.
and going to the market place found
the object Of their ire stin speaking
10 the people.
As the priests passed along tire
street their coming caused no little
commo,ion- People turned and looked
and then. In curiosity. followed. 50
that when the priests had reached the
place where Malachi was addressine>
the people. the crowd there was great.
ly augmented.
But IL Malachi noted the presence
Of the priests he gave no heed bu,
continued to address the people.
Yea" he shouted. from the rising
OF the sun even unto the going down
OF the same the name of the Lord shall
be great among the Gentiles. and I'm
every Place incense shall be offered
unto my name. for my name shall be
great among the heather"
Away with such fellow" shouted
the leader Of the priests. pressing for.
ward through the crowd. Can tn.
God OF Abraham. and Isaac and Jacob
forget his people7 Does not Moses in
he law which God gave him. say that
he seed Of Abraham are Gods chosen
people? Away with this fellow who
would teach that God had turned from
his people"
Malachi turned at the sound of the
'oice and watched intentIy as the
PRIEST pressed up to his side. He noted
he intense look upon the faces OF the
'eople as they listened to the words
" the priest. Then with one swift
'lance upward. as though in mute an
zeal for the help which he needed in
hat trying hour. he turned full upon
he priest as he came before him. and
vomiting his finger at him. he shouted.
And now. o ye priests. this com
nandment is for you. II We will not
iear. and II ye will not lay II to heart
o give glory unto my name. saith the
ord Of Hosts. will even send a curse
pon you. and will curse your bless
ngs; yea. have cursed them already.
ecause ye do not lay II TO heart"
Under the awful arraignment the
ace Of the priest became ashen. and
e trembled and quailed before the un.
inehing eyes of Malachi What was
that struck terror to his heart? Was
the consciousness OF the truth Of
he words which were spoken2 Was Il
be fire Of righteous Indignation which
ashed from the unfiinching eyes of
Ialachis Whatever 1t was the priest.
coved. turned. and. with his
blowers. silently and sullenly wended
Is way back to the temple.
"Ah. let the fellow alone" they ex.
aimed TO each other. I'VE have the
'mple and the daily ministrations. He
but wanderer from ZebuIun. What
ire We what he says. We have the
w OF Moses. We are Gods chosen