The Tupelo journal., 1909-05-14

also that turn to his law, and that ne
is bountiful, for he is ready to give
where 1t is needed; and that he is OF
great mercy, for he multiplieth more
and mor mercies to them that are
present, and that are past, and also
to them which are to come. For If he
shall not multiply his mercies, the
world would not continue with them
that inherit therein. And he pardon
eth; for II he did not so of his good
ness, that they which have committed
iniquities might be eased OF them, the
ten t~housandth part of men should not
remain living. And being Judge, II
he should not forgive them that are
cured with his word, and put out the
multitude of contentious, there should
be very few left ~peradventure in an in
Vulnerable multitude" answered
Esdras, a sigh escaping him as he con
templated the wonder and the mystery
of it all.
YES" exclaimed the angel, come
with me. | will show you"
Esdras arose at the bidding and fol-
lowed the angel on and on and on
until it seemed as though they had
left the earth and were looking back
upon it as it lay beneath them. Then
spake the angel, as he pointed before
them:
THE sea is set in a wide place, that
it might be deep and great. But note
the entrance that it is narrow, like a
river. Who, then, could go into the
sea to look Upon it and to rule 1t, If
he went not through the narrow en-
t%rance?"
Look, Also" continued the angel,
after a pause, and pointing in another
direction, "for a city is builded, and
set upon a broad field. and is full of
all good things. The entrance thereof
is narrow, and is set in a dangerous
place to fall, like as if there were fire
on the right hand, and ON the left a
deep water. And n only path be-
tween them both, even between the
could but n man go there at once"
With breathless interest Esdras
watched the scene before him, while
the angel talked, and the angel con
tinued:
IF this city now were given to a
man for an inheritance, if he never
shall pass the danger set before it,
how shall he receive this inheri-
t~ance?"
Surely, it is so, Lord" responded
Esdras, as the angel ceased speaking.
Yea, and even so is Israel's por-
ton. Because for their sakes 1 made
the world. And when Adam trans
crossed my statute, then was decreed
that which now is done. Then were
the entrances to the world made mar
row, full of sorrow and travail. They
are but few and evil, full of perils and
very painful. Fol the entrances of the
elder world were wide and sure, and
brought immortal fruit. If then they
that live labor not to enter this
straight way, they can never receive
those things which are laid up for
them"
Esdras, who had followed the words
of the angel without taking his eyes
oL IAC SCCHC UCloiC HILL, HOW
and was about to speak, when the
angel continued, almost reproachfuiIy:
Now, therefore, Esdras, why dis
quietest thou myself, seeing thou art
but a corruptible man? And why art
thou moved concerning these myster-
les, seeing thou art but a mortal man?
Why hast thou not considered in thy
mind this thing that is come, rather
than that which is PRESENT."
20, Lord" exclaimed Esdras, lifting
his eyes now and speaking as though
addressing the God whose angel was
before him, thou who Dearest rule,
thou hast ordained in thy law hat the
righteous should inherit these things,
and that the ungodly should perish.
Nevertheless, it does seem that the
righteous shall suffer and be straight
ened and yet hope for the wide. They
that have done wickedly have suffered
the straight things and yet shall not
see the wide"
Listen" interrupted the angel, for
| must now leave thee. Remember,
that there is no Judge above God, and
none that hath understanding above
the Highest. For this eason there be
many that perish because they de-
spise the Lord and his law"