Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1909-06-30

SooAo oShNci. Anu Wueu OZl68, Una
bris and Charnis appeared before her
she said:
Who are ye that have tempted God
this day. and stand instead of Coo
among the children of men? And now
try the Lord Almighty. but We shall
never know anything. For We cannot
find the depth of the heart of man,
neither can We perceive the things
that he thinketh. Then how can We
search out God. that hath made all
these things, and know his mind, or
comprehend his. purpose? Nay, my
brethren, provoke not our God to
! anger. For IL he will not help us
within those five days, he hath power
to defend US when he will, even every
day, or to destroy US before Our en-.
emies. Let US wait for salvation OF
him, and call upon him to help u.s.
All that thou hast spoken with q
good heart, and there is none that
may gainsay thy words, for this is not
the hrst day wherein thy wisdom is
manifested; but from the beginning Of
thy days all the people have known
thy understanding, because the dispo
sition OF thine heart is good" respond
ed Ozias, earnestly. But the people
were very thirsty. and compelled US
10 do unto them as we have spoken
And this oath which we have spoken
unto them, saying that IL deliverance
came not within FIVE days that then
we would open the gates Of the city
and surrender to our enemies-thit
oath we cannot break Therefore
pray thou for us, because thou art o
cody woman. and the Lord will SEND
us rain to fill our clsterns, and we
shall faint no more"
Hear me, We rulers of the city,
exclaimed Judith, as a sudden resolve
formed within her heart, for l will
do thing which shall go throughout
all generations to the children of our
nation. Ye shall stand this night In
the gate and 1 will go forth with my
waiting maid, and within the five days
that we have promised to deliver the
city to our enemies, the Lord will visit
Israel by mine hand"
Nay" she exclaimed, raising her
hand with an emphatic gesture, "in.
quire not We of mine act; for will
not declare 1t unto you till the things
be finished that l do
The puzzled looks upon the faces OF
the men before her gave place to one
of confident expectancy as she fin.
ished speaking, and Ozias said:
go in peace, Judith, and the Lord
God be before thee to take vengeance
on our enemies"
Having thus spoken he, with the
other princes, bowed themselves out
and returned to their homes
Then Judith fell upon her face and
put ashes upon her head, and uncoy.
cred the sackcloth wherewith she was
clothed, and about the time of the
evening sacrifice in the temple al
Jerusalem and the burning of incense
she lifted her voice in prayer and
cried:
"Oh, Lord God of my father Simeon,
behold the Assyrians are multiplied
in their power. They are exalted with
horse and man. They glory in the
strength of their footmen. They trust
In shield and spear, and bow ano
sling, and know not that thou art the
Lord that breakfast the battles; the
Lord is thy name. Smite by the deceit
OF my lips. Break down their state
illness by the hand of a woman. Make
my speech and deceit to their wound
and make every nation and tribe tc
acknowledge that thou art the God OF
all power and might, and that there is
none other that protecteth the people
of Isreal but thou"
The prayer ended, peace and conf
dence came to her heart, that conf
dence which comes from inner faith
that God has heard and will answer
She arose and, calling her maid. she
went down into the house wherein she
had abode during the glad season OF
the feast days. And she put off the
sackcloth which she had on and laso
aside the garments of her widowhood
And when she had bathed she anointeC
herself with precious ointment ant
braided the hair of her head. and put
thereon most gorgeous raiment
wherewith she was clad during the
life of her husband, Manassas. And
she put sandals upon her feet and mi
ABOUT her her bracelets and her chains
and her rings and her earrings and
all her ornaments, and she decked her.
self bravely, to allure the eyes of all
men that should see her.
Then calling her maid she com.
manded her that she should bring a
bottle of wine, and a cruise of oil. and
MI bag with parched corn. and
Jumps of figs, and with fine bread.
Thus adorned and accompanied by
her maid, laden with the provisions
for their journey, they set forth and
came to the gate of the city. where
according to appointment, she found
llZInn