The Tupelo journal., 1909-07-23


over his parchment. Instead OF hi
former goings and comings among hi
people he shut himself in to hi
task, and they, noting his absence
began to question among themselves
as to what it could mean. Some SALE
he was writing out a plea to the kins
of Babylon in behalf of HIS people
while others said, Nay, he is givin.
himself to visions and dreams and NJ
good will come Of it to him or hi.
people"
Still others, who were among ths
faithful, commended that he was un
doubtedly engaged In the work O
the Lord and would in good tins
give them the benefit of any message
which the Lord might have for them
And this suggestion IN the part o.
the few caused their hearts to be
come troubled, for said they:
1--WE do need to remember that we
are in sore straits because Of ou
1 sins and the sins of our fathers, and
we must no longer be stubborn Of
heart, but must be penitent before
God and be ready to hear his mes
sage"
So they talked thus among them.
selves and their hearts became tender
and they repented of the evil which
they had done, and again their hearts
began to turf in longing towards Jeru-
salem.
Then one day the message went
forth among the Jews who dwelt at
Babylon asking that they assemble
themselves by the river side, for
| Baruch had somewhat to say unto
them. So it was that on the follow.
ing day when they were all gathered
together that Baruch came with his
great scroll in his hand. And the
people all crowded around to hear,
and Baruch did read the words of the
scroll which he had written therein.
And as he unfolded the sad history of
Israel's waywardness and sin through
out the long years, and how in mercy
and love God had dealt with them and
had at last permitted the mighty king
of Babylon to come in and utterly
destroy and scatter the nation, the
| people fell upon their faces and wept.
Then they lifted up their voices and
cried:
20 Lord Almighty, God of Israel, the
soul in anguish, the troubled spirit
crieth unto thee. Hear, o Lord, and
have mercy; for thou art merciful.
Have pity on us, because we have
sinned before thee. For thou en-
durest forever and we perish utterly.
Remember not the iniquities of our
forefathers, but think upon thy power
and thy name, and praise thee in our
captivity. For we have called to mind
all the iniquity of u forefathers,
that sinned before thee. Behold, we
are yet this day in u captivity,
where thou hast scattered US, for a
reproach and a curse, and to be sub
ject to tribute, according to all the
iniquities. of our fathers, which de-
parted from the Lord our God"
And as they prayed thus, Baruch's
heart was made glad, and he said to
himself: Now will they listen to my
~pleadings for the desolate Jerusalem
and will send succor back to those
who are in sore stress amidst the
ruins"
And when the voices of the people
had ceased Baruch spoke to them of
Jerusalem and her departed glory and
of their brethren the poor and de-
spised whom the king of Babylon had
left amidst the ruins of the beautiful
city.
Here, we have plenty. lack there
there is great want. Let Us send to
them"
"Yea, we will. We Will" shouted
the people and they at once made
a collection of money according to
every mans power, and they made
up an offering and sent it unto Jeru-
salem, unto Joachim the high priest,
and they sent word, saying:
Behold, we have sent you money
to buy you burnt offerings, and sin
offerings and incense, and prepare We
mama and offer upon the altar of the
Lord u God. And We shall read this
book, which Baruch is sending unto
you, and We shall say, TO the Lord
our God belongeth righteousness, but
unto US the confusion of faces. And
now, o Lord our God, we have sinned,
we have done ungodly, W. have dealt
unrighteously in all thine ordinances,
let thy wrath turn from us; for we are
but a few left among the heather,
where thou has scattered us. Hear
our prayers, o Lord!"