Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1909-05-05
els history down to tho days O,
Malachi. the latest of the nrnnhefa

winch mad followed the revival under
Nehemiah marked the last downward
plunge OF the remnant Of the nation
which had been restored to Jerusa
lem.
Priests and people were corrupted
by the conditions which surrounded
them. and as Malachi went about de
nouncing sin and pleading with the
people to return to God, he was given
scant hearing.
Day after day following such ap
parently fruitless efforts he would re-
turn to his humble abode aid lose
himself in reading the 3rophe
cies which the prophets be-
fore him had left Particula 'ly did
he enjoy the visions which Isaiah gave
OF the Promised One who should
come and bring glory and power to
Israel
Can It be that these thing. shall
be?' he asked himself over and over
again after the failing light had put
a stop to his reading and he sat d.ep
in thought.
All" he exclaimed, at the though,
that his question sounded like
doubt, Il do not mean that / ques
ton that such things shall be, but Il
seems so wonderful in the face OF the
terrible sins Of the people. Yes" he
exclaimed, as though answering a
question he had put to himself, they
do cling to the old ceremonies and
jealousy claim Abraham as their ia.
Their and Abraham's God as their God
hnt the hearts ~ hA
right and they worship not In SINGER
ity. But IL would seem as though God
could never send blessing to a people
which has 80 wickedly forgotten him"
Il have promised that in the seed
OF Abraham all the nations of the
earth shall be blessed, and so they
shall be-" Thus spake voice In the
ear OF Malachi. The prophet started,
guiltily. Had he dishonored God by
his questionings?
Yea, Lord" he said, softly, "I know
thy promises are sure. They have
been fulfilled in the past. They will
be fulfilled in the days to come"
And little dost thou realize all
that the promises to Abraham mean,"
again came the voice to him.
Malachi bowed his head hunbly a.
the rebuke drove itself into his heart
After all how specifically he judged
God and his promises. How finite and
limited his mind as IT strove to com
prehend the things Of the infinite God.
And then. as though God were reading
his thoughts and answering him, the
voice spoke again and said:
And not only are my ways past
finding out, but i choose to work my
wonders through the most humble
channels. Remember, 1t was the
poor widow of Zarephath. and she not
Jew. to whom Elijah was sent, and
by whom he and she and her son
were fed for many days upon the little
-four and the oil which she had In the
house"
YEA" responded Malachi. quickly,
Il did often hear Zechariah the proph-
ct declare the wcrd which had come
unto him, saying: Not by might nor
By power but by my spirit, saith the
Lord OF hosts Surely II was so in
his case, and It is always true where
one puts his trust in thee"
Dark though the way appear"
again spake the voice, land few
though there be who remain faithful
to the God of Israel. yet remember
that there are those whose hearts
have not forgotten the God Of Abra
ham and Isaac and Jacob. and ii is
by the faith OF these few that my prom
Uses shall yet be brought to pass"
How WONDERFUL exclaimed Mala
chi. lifting his eyes toward heaven IN
fervid worship.
Yea, speak your words OF warning
to priest and people," continued the
voice, but forget not the few whose
hearts are tender towards me and
who are looking for the fulflllment Of
the promises of a deliverer."
"Ah. In my distress of heart. and
my disbursement, ! had forgotten"
exclaimed Malachi, with almost a sob.
II have seen only the wickedness and
the waywardness OF the people.
have forgotten those whom | still can
count on as friends, and who are
eager to hear the word OF God
spoken" And Malachi began running
over the few scattered ones in Jeru.l
salem and throughout the country
who had kept themselves unspotted
from the worldliness and wickedness
Of the nation.
Surely they need the message. II
the others will not listen I will 20
and speak to them" exclaimed Mala
Chi with sudden resolve
Yea, thou hast we'll spoken" re
sponded the voice GO and tell them
Of the Coming One, for behold. 7 will
send a messenger. and he shall pre-
pare the way before me: and the
Lord, whom ye seek. shall suddenly
come TO his temple. even the mcssen.
ger OF the Covenant whom ye delight
in; behold. he shall come. saith the
Lord OF hosts. But who may abide
the day Of his coming? And who shall