The Neshoba Democrat., 1909-10-14

| ploNlsioH De ulduo also LOT lNJu sup
plies within these cities. so tha. ar
enemy coming against us shall find
us prepared"
A thrill of hope and enthusiasm
passed through the nation, and every
where the people busy in building
walls and raising watch towers, SO
| that confidence was restored in the
hearts of the people, and they began
to give themselves with new zeal TO
the peaceable pursuits of the nation.
But two plague spots ate as worm
into the vitals of the nation. One
was the city of GAIA and the other
was the strong tower in Jerusalem
which was still held by the Gentiles
who had gained possession CT it years
before.
"The fruits of peace and prosperity
cannot be enjoyed while there be
those which defy Cur rule and au-
thority," exclaimed Simon, one day to
his advisers. 81 am minded to go
against GAIA, and also to conquer
tower in jerusalem"
Thou hast spoken WE'LL" exclaimed
the men around him. I'VE shall serve
thee in this thing"
So Simon beseiged GAIA and when
he found that his soldiers were unable
to take it with their ordinary weapons
he set about making great engine Of
war and soon the city of GAIA was re-
duced to a ruin.
"And now for Jerusalem and those
who still trouble the Inhabitants Of the
place"
Shall blood flow also there?"
YEA, indeed" replied Simon, "for
there can be no peace while yet there
be those who know not our God or
who will not obey his will, but choose
to trouble his people"
So he came to Jerusalem with his
picked men and day after day he drew
in his forces closer and closer about
the tower until at last they who were
therein were in such straits that they
had neither food nor drink and were on
the verge of famine. So they cried
unto Simon and entreated him that
he would spare them. This Simon did,
but he put them out utterly from the
tower and city, and cleansed the
tower from all its pollutions.
There was a great celebration held
with thanksgiving, and branches Of
palm trees, and with harps and Gym
balls, and with viols, and hymns, and
songs, because there was destroyed a
,f An
ordained that the day should be kept
every year with gladness.
So it came to pass that the land Of
Judea was quiet all the days of Simon.
for he sought the good of his nation in
such wise as that evermore his au-
thority and honor pleased them we'll.
And as he was honorable in all his
acts, so in this, that he took Joppe for
haven, and made an entrance to
the isles of the sea, and enlarged the
bounds of the nation and recovered the
country, so that the people came to
speak of the wonderful blessing which
God had bestowed upon them.
"Yea," said one old man as he sat
in the gate of the city and talked over
the peace and prosperity which had
come upon the nation, hath not a
new age dawned? Is not now our ma
ton to rule from sea to sea and from
the waters unto the ends of the
earth?"
"Thou speakest as some of the
prophets of Old" exclaimed the people,
as they crowded around to listen.
"And we'll might we all. for was it
not of just such time as this that the
prophets did writer"
But Rome still rules the world" i"
spoke up one of the group.
"She is not our master, but our
friend" spake the old man with some
spirit. "She has accorded our people
and our religion place, and honored
our ambassadors which were received
at Rome. Why then should we not
feel that the great day has come in
Israel? When before has the land
brought forth so bountifully? When
]! have our streets been SO filled with
honorable trade? When have the peo-
pie come every man into his own pos
session all through lHe iaHu Lively
man now sits under his own vine and
fig-tree with none to molest or make
afraid"
yea" spake up another, "and see
how the law is searched out by our
wise men and how it is honored by
the people"
True" exclaimed the old man of
the group, evidently pleased with the
affirmation of his own views, Il say
again that the times of which the
, prophets of old spake have come to
pass. Listen" and taking scroll from
the folds of his robe he unrolled it and
: read
, But in the last days it shall come
to pass, that the mountain of the Lord
shall be established in the top of the
mountains, and it shall be exalted
above the hills, and it shall be ex'
alted. Has this not come to pass?''
And with a shout, the people cried:
Amen"