The Tupelo journal., 1909-07-16

come from the house of the governor
and had asked him to arrange for. a
gathering of the people In the market
place that we might do the very thing
which you are now doing with such
good results"
Yea. | could not let the stories OF
the heroes of Israel go unused. See
how the people enjoy Them" and be-
ginning at the point where the inter-
ruption had come he continued to fin
ish the scroll which a few days before
he had written.
And is that all?" they asked. as he
finished reading.
Lycius turned inquiringly towards
Jesus. and noting by his nod that he
would not disappoint the people. he
lifted his voice and spoke to the as
sembly. saying:
1T is all l have, but Jesus the son
of Sirach is here and will tell thee
more concerning the heroes OF Israel"
who was the successor OF Moses?'
began Jesus, reading from the scroll
he had taken from his bosom. WAS
1t not Jesus the son OF Nave. who
was valiant in vars. How great
glory gat he, when he lifted up his
hands, and stretched out his sword
against the cities! Did not the sun
go back by his means? and was not
n day as long as two? The Lord
gave strength also unto Caleb. which
remained with him to his old age. so
that he entered upon the high places
of the land, and his seed obtained 1t
for an Inheritance. And concerning
the Judges every one by name, whose
hearts departed not from the Lord.
let their memory be blessed. Samuel,
the prophet of the Lord. beloved OF
the Lord. established a kingdom, and
anointed princes over his people. And
after him rose up Nathan to prophecy
in the time of David. AS is b fat
taken away from the peace offering.
so was David chosen out of the chill
dren of Israel. He played with lions
as with kids, and with bears as with
lambs. Slew he not a giant, when he
was yet young? And did he o take
away reproach from the people. when
he lifted up his hand with the stone
in the sling, and beat down the boast
ing Goliath? For he called upon the
most high Lord; and he gave him
strength in his right hand to STAY the
mighty warrior, and set up b horn
of his people,"
A shout went up from the people
as he spoke of David. 1t was one
of the ~favorite stories with them.
YEA. we know him." they cried.
And dost thou know his SOM"
Solomon? Solomon!" they cried.
YEA. and he was a wise son, and
reigned in a peaceable time, and was
honored by God, for he made all quiet
around him, that he might build an
house in his name, and prepare his
sanctuary for ever And the coun-
tries marveled at him for the songs
and proverbs and parallels, and in
terpretations, but he did stain his
honor and pollute his seed so that his
sin brought the wrath OF the Lord
upon the children of Israel. And he
kingdom was divided. And
The voice of Jesus the son OF ST.
rach broke. Sadness filled his heart
as he realized the decline OF the once
favored nation.
Yea, and though the people sinned
God did send his prophets to turn
them back to him. He sent Elias.
the prophet who came as a ire. his
word burned as a lamp. Elias 1t
was who was covered with a whirl-
wind and Eliseus was filed with his
| spirit. Whilst he lived he was not
moved with the presence OF any
prince, neither could any bring him
into subsection. But for all this the
people repented not, neither departed
thew from their sins. And we have
fallen upon evil days." concluded
Jesus. 'Oh that these examples OF
old might turn your hearts to God and
make thee realize that trouble and az
Fiction come in the wake OF wrong
doing"
amen and amen" exclaimed Ly-
cius.
And as he and Jesus walked home
ward after the great meeting. the Tor
mer said:
81 am glad l came and have heard
of the heroes of thy history. Now do
| know that there is blessing IN FOL
lowing the Lord"
Yea, l am glad, too. and that thou
hast encouraged the gathering OF the
people. May it be for their good