Mexico Missouri message., 1909-09-23

powerful Romans make" exclaimed
Judas one day. Because the nations
all about us would do us hurt. let us
make them our friends"
Thou has spoken in wisdom" ex-
claimed Eupolemus, one of the chief
men under Judas. ut were useless
for us to think of warning with Rome
at any time, for no nation has yet
withstood her armies. See how the
Galatians have been subdued and
brought under tribute. And see what
the Romans have done to Spain, win.
ming control of the mines of silver
and gold. How much better 1t would
have been had these nations made
friends with the Romans. We may
well do as Judas has counseled us"
When Eupolemus ceased speaking
every eye in the group was turned
with evident approval upon Judas.
Tell us more of these mighty Ro
MANS they exclaimed.
1T were almost impossible to tell
all concerning the spread of the pow
er of the Romans" he said. "They
have discounted Philip in battle, and
Perseus, king of the Citims, with
others who lifted themselves up
against them. And then there was
Antiochus, the great king of Asia,
that came against them in battle, hay
ing an hundred and twenty elephants,
with horsemen and chariots, and a
very great army, and notwithstanding
all this he was discounted before
| them"
But" spoke one of the group, do
we not need to fear that the Romans
may deal deceitfully with us and,
after we have made league with them,
they will turn and make us their serv-
ants?"
Nay" spake up another, whose
name was Jason, "the Romans have
never done so. With their friends and
such as rely upon them they keep
amity; but whoever has chosen to be
counted as an enemy the Romans
have displaced them. Greatly are the
Romans exalted in the eyes of all the
world, and yet none of the Romans,
however great, has ever worn a
crown, or was clothed in purple. In
stead, they have made for themselves
a senate chamber wherein 800 men sit
in council daily, consulting always for
the people, to the end that the affairs
of the whole nation may be well or
dered. They commit the government
to one man every year, and he ruleth
over all the country, and all are obedi-
ent unto him, and there is neither
envy nor emulation among them"
This statement of Jason proved the
clinching argument, and Immediately
there was unanimous request that
Judas should select those who should
go to Rome on the mission of peace
and friendship.
Whom better could we select than
Eupolemus and Jason?" said Judas,
after a few moments silence. "Ye
have all heard them speak. They have
knowledge of the Romans and have
great faith in them. Let them go as
our representatives"
With one accord they all gave as
sent. The next day these men de-
parted on the long journey, commits
stoned to make league of amity and
confederacy with the Romans and to
entreat them that they would take
the yoke from them, for it was only
too apparent that the Grecians pur-
posed to put them in bondage.
And when at last these two men,
| Eupolemus and Jason, had come in to
the senate, they spake and said:
Judas Maccabeus, with his breth-
rem and the people of the Jews, have
sent us unto you to make confed-
eracy and peace with you and. that
we might be registered your confed,
crates and friends"
Now after the senate considered
this appeal it was well pleased and
this is the copy of the epistle which
the senate wrote back again on tables
of brass and sent to Jerusalem, that
there they might have by them a me.
mortal of peace and confederacy:
Good success be to the Romans
and to the people of the Jews, by sea
and land forever. The sword also and
enemy be far from them. If there
come first any war upon the Romans
or any of their confederates through.
out all their dominion the people OF
the Jews shall help them, as the time
shall be appointed, with all their
heart. Neither shall they give any,
thing unto them that make war upon
them, or aid them with victuals
/ weapons, money or ships, as it hath
seemed good unto the Romans; but
they shall keep their covenants with
out taking anything therefor. In the
: same manner also, If war come first
upon the nation of the Jews, the Ro
: mans shall help them with all Their
, heart, according as the time shall be
appointed them. Neither shall vic
! tuals be given to them that take part
i against them, or weapons, or money
i or ships, as It hath seemed good &c
( the Romans; but they shall keep theiI