The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-11-02

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Esther becomes Queen. Il. c. 40. Ha-
mans plot and defeat by Esther Occupy
ing nearly the whole year.. B G. Az
PLACE-shusan (susa) the winter capt.
tai OF the Persian Empire. about 2OO miles
southeast from Babylon and 10 miles
north Of the Persian Gulf
There are two principal theories
concerning the historical nature OF
the Book OF Esther: one, that II is a
yeritable history; the other, that It
is a historical romance founded on
fact, like Shakespeare's julius Caesar
and Henry VIII. or like Scotts novels.
or ilomer's great epics. While there
are number Of serious difficulties
yet there are few II any unanswerable
arguments against It's being a true his
tory &erXes Is the Greek shortened
form OF the Ahasuerus OF Esther, as
York. for instance, is a shortened form
OF the Latin Eboracum lie began to
reign b. c. 4S5 and ruled for 20 years
We can best understand Esther by
means Of those parts OF his history
which reveal his character. Xerxes
at the very beginning OF his reign
completed the conquest OF Egypt
which his fPtner Darius had begun
On his return he Immediately began
&c prepare for the invasion OF Europe,
and especially OF Greece. which tnen
stood, In culture. development. ability
and interest. at the head OF the world
Thus Xerxes would be master OF the
world
To arrange for this invasion OF Eu.
rope. XerxeH held great assembly
of the noblest Persians. II Is prob
able that this is the banquet with
which the story OF Esther opens.
festive celebration that continued SIX
months. while all matters pertaining
to the expedition were being arrang
ed.
Xerxes sought queen in place Of
the deposed Vashti. The one select.
ed from the most beautiful women
Of the empire was Esther, a charming
Jewess. descendant OF one OF the
exiles, her great-grandfather being
among those carried captive TO Baby.
Ion by Nebuchadnezzar in sos. Her
Hebrew name was Hadassah. the
myrtle. beautiful and favorlte shrub
in the east. Esther" means "a star"
and many think II the same as lshtar
the Babylonian equivalent Of Venus.
She must have been quite young al
the time OF her marriage, not over
10 years. Four or five years pass.
and then begins the tragic story OF
Haman. his rise as a kings favorite.
his pride lncensed at the conduct OF
Esther's cousin Mordecai, his attempt
to bring vengeance upon the whole
Jewish race on Mordecais account.
his success in obtaining decree
rom the king. throughout his empire,
to destroy, to kill. and to cause to |
perish all Jews, both young and old,
title children, and women, In one
lay"
Great mourning and terrible dis
ress came upon the Jews all over
he empire as they learned OF the de-
rec. Mordecal sent word to Esther,
low about 20 years old, asking her
o go to the king and request the de-
iyerance OF her people. Esther re-
,lied "Whosoever shall come unto
he king into the inner court. who Is
lot called there is ono law OF his to
'ut him to death. Except such to
Ihom the king shall hold out the
olden scepter." There was, there
ore. possibility of Eshers reach
ng the ears Of the king. but with
he greatest uncertainty as to how
uch u capriclous king would act.
specially as his love for her had
ooled The mission Mordecai com.
nitted to Esther was one of great
anger and difficulty. It required the
Utmost heroism.
Esther put on her royal apparel.
she was a sensible, practical woman.
nd used her beauty and charm OF
,erson and Of dress to accomplish
er object.
She waited for the fitting time.
he king held out the golden sceptre.
The sign that he received her, and
hat the most dangerous part Of her
mission was over. Instead OF asking
er favor, where she would be sur
ouhded by spies and possible enc
lles. she invited the king to ban
uet in the seclusion OF the Harem
ardens. She invited Haman her en-.
my to join with the king and thus
iard of all suspicion, and at the
anne time have him where he could
ot escape
Esther presented her petition In
rise words and pointed out Haman
9 the enemy who was seeking her
fe and the life OF her people. The
ing was very angry and immediate
: deposed Haman, and had him
anged on the gallows he had pre-
ared for Mordecai.
The result was counteracting de
rec. permitting the Jews to stand
p in their own defense, and large
umbers Of their enemies were slain
he Jews were saved from destruc.
lon. and exalted before the people.
lordecai took Haman's place In the
overnment, The feast OF Purim was
with great feasting and
1y, and has been celebrated annual
: ever since on the fourteenth OF
.dar, February.March. one month be-
ore Esther.
One OF the most interesting stud.
IS in the story OF Esther is to trace
lie ways OF divine providence, and see
ou God nokaa ail thinUa uorL ~