The Tupelo journal., 1909-04-30

&0tS IL alA wa
kings private chamberlain to place
the writings near his couch where he
would see them upon first rising.N
So it came to pass that when the
king had risen and had opened the
writings, he read what the first had
written, namely: Wine is the strong
est"
And the second read: 1.-The king Is
the strongest"
And the third read: Women are
the strongest; but above all things
truth beareth away the victory"
And when he had summoned all his
princes and governors and captains.
and had sat down in his Judgment
hall, he commanded that the young
men who had propounded the riddles
should be brought before them, that
they might declare their writings.
For" said the king, "by all the power
of my kingdom he who proves the
declaration of his writing shall re-
ceive favor from the king"
Then began the first, who has spo-
ken of the strength OF wine. and said:
20 We men, how exceeding strong Is
winei 1t causeth all men to err that
| drink it. 1t maketh the mind OF the
king and of the fatherless child to be
all one; of the bondman and OF the
freeman; of the poor man and OF the
| rich. 1t turneth also every thought
| into iollity and mirth, so that a man
| remembereth neither sorrow nor DEBT.
| And it maketh every heart rich, so
| that a man remembereth neither king
| nor governor; and it maketh to speak
all things by talents. And when they
are in their cups, they forget their
love both to friends and brethren, and
a little after draw out swords. And
when they are out from the power OF
the wine, they remember not what
they have done, 0 we men, is not
wine the strongest, that enforceth to
do thus?"
Thus spake the first young msn,
and the king beckoned to h second
to rise and address the assemblage.
which he did. as follows:
20 We men, do not men excel IN
| strength, that bear rule over sea and
land, and all things in them? But yet
the king is more mighty; for he IS
| the lord of all these things, and hath
| dominion over them; and whatsoever
he commandeth them, they do. II he
| bid them make war the one against
the other, they do it. If he send them
out against the enemies, they go, and
I break down mountains, walls and tow
ers. They STAY and are slain, and
~transgress not the kings command
ment. If they get the victory, they
bring all to the king, as well the spoil,
as all things else. Likewise for those
that are no soldiers. and have not to
do with wars, but use husbandry,
when they have reaped again that
which they had sown, they bring it to
the king, and compel n another to
pay tribute unto the king. So all his
people and his armies obey him. o We
men, how should not the king be
mightiest, when in such sort he is
obeyed?"
Thus spake the second, and ceased.
Then Zorobabel stood forth and lift
ing his eyes to the king declared his
riddle, as follows:
20 we men, it is not the great king,
nor the multitude of men, neither is 1t
wine that excelleth. Who is it then
that ruleth them, or that hath lord
ship over them? Are they not wom-
en-? Women have borne the king
and all people that bear rule by sea
and land. A man leaveth his own ia
Their who brought him up, and his W
country, and cleaveth unto his wife.
Many also have persisted, have erred,
and sinned for women. And now do
We not believe me? Is not the king
great in his power? Do not all regions
fear to touch him? Yet did l see him
and Apame the kings wife, sitting at
the right hand of the king, and taking
the crown from the kings head, and
setting it on her own head. She also
| struck the king with her left hand in
her mirth, and he spake no harsh
word unto her. O ye men, are not
women strong? Great is the earth,
high is the heaven. swift is the sui
in his course, for he compasseth the
heavens round about, and fetcheth his
course again to his own place in one
day. Is he not great who made these
things? Therefore great is Truth,
and stronger than all things. Wine is
wicked, the king is wicked, women are
wicked, all the children of men are
wicked, and such are all their wicked
works. But as for truth, it endureth,
and is always strong. 1t liveth and
conquereth for evermore. Blessed be
the God of Truth"
And a great shout arose as he
ceased and the people cried:
Great is truth, and mighty above
all things"
Then said the king unto him:
"Ask what thou wilt"
Then spake Zorobabel unto the
king:
Remember thy vow, which thou
hast vowed, to build Jerusalem, in
kingdom, and to send away all the
vessels that were taken out of Jerusa-
lem"
Then Darius the king stood up and
kissed Zorobabel, and calling for his
scribe he wrote letters for him unto
all his ~treasurers, and ~lieutenants, and
captains, commanding them to do all
that he, Z%orobabel, should desire.
Model Sunday School Glass.