The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1911-08-03

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killed. Professor Kent calls this dis
aster unquestionably the most tragic
event in Hebrew history. Thsrefoym
party at once placed upon tue thyo4e
Josiah's third son, Jehoahaz, % years
old, evidently, because he resembled
his father, but as soon as theSE2ctor-
ious Necho returned from the Euphra-
ties he reversed the arrangement, car
ried Jehoahaz in chains to Egypt after
a reign Of only three months, and left
on the throne his elder brother, Ella
kim, 20 years old, rightly judging him
to be OF character more suited to
his purpose. In token OF vassalage
Eliakim changed his name Tin form,
but not In significance) to Jehoiakim,
Jehovah raiseth up" He proved to
be tyrant, Of whom jeremiah speaks
always in condemnation. His mag
nificent palace, built by forced labor.
his murder OF the prophet Uriah and
his persecution of jeremiah show his
character.
jeremiah was native Of Anathoth,
q little yillaeg three and one-half
miles northwest from Jerusalem. His
father was Hilkiah, priest (not the
high priest who was Josiah's aid). He
was of retiring, exquisitely sensitive
nature, and yet had spiritual courage
that triumphed over all weakness, and
compelled his body to the most diff
ficult and dangerous duties. He never
failed. He was the butt of ridicule
and scorn. He was put in the stocks.
He was publicly whipped He was
misrepresented as an enemy. He was
imprisoned several times. But he kept
right on.
He was like an elm tree, whose
branches yield to every breeze, but
which no storm, not even one that up
heaves rocks from their beds, can
GAUGE to move one hairs breadth from
its place in the ground. It Is no WON
der that he was sometimes discour-
aged, disappointed, almost despairing.
He has been called the weeping
prophet" because he lived in such dark
| and evil times, but the only wonder is
that he ever had such glorious CLEANS
Of hope, and that his prophetic eye
ever pierced through the darkness OF
the night tempest and saw the silver
| lining beyond, and the rays OF the
coming dawn. He was q "meliorist
rather than an optimist. He saw the
evil, but he was ever working to make
1t better. Like doctor In a hospital
he looked at disease from the curative
standpoint.
In the beginning Of Jehoiakim's
reign (B. G. 608) Jeremiah makes an
earnest appeal to the leaders and the
people. almost like an inaugural ad-
dress. or the annual sermon preached
in Boston ON the inauguration OF the
governor of the state. The prophet
stands in the court OF the temple The
people not only Of the city but Of the
surrounding country are fiocking into
| the court to join in the worship. the
reform was hating. The kingdom was
IMPOVERISHED by the heavy fine OF 100
talents Of silver and one OF gold
| fs220, 000) which Necho Of Egypt had
| imposed. It was a fitting time for az
earnest appeal to repentance.
Jerusalem was acquitted by the
princes. They realized that he had
| been the spokesman of God. Then
some Of the elders. the leading people,
| instanced the case OF the good King
Hezekiah. He did not STAY the prophet
Micah. who boldly threatened the de-
struction OF Jerusalem-that its site
would become plowed field, and the
temple a heap OF ruins, unless they re-
pented. Hezekiah did not kill Micah,
hut on the contrary he led his people
to repentance, and the Lord averted
the danger.
The verses following tell US OF an
other prophet who fed from danger
to Egypt, was followed by the ennis
saries OF Jehoiakim, brought back and
executed. This story is meant to show
how serious .Jeremiah's danger was
and perhaps to contrast Jeremiah's
faith and courage with the timidity OF
Uriah, who yet did not escape mas
enemies. but found a sad end.
1t is the strong adverse wind that
1 makes the kite fly high toward heav-
en-. provided that It IS held fast by
IT'S cord. without the string the ad-
verse winds would simply blow 1t to
| its fall and ruin. A heart fixed In
God and duty--heId fast to them by q
strong faith-can rise to the highest
usefulness, can overcome every
temptation.
| Revival work and decision days
wisely used, are the most effective re-
Inducements OF the common powers
that move to the choice OF the better
life. One Of the strongest influences
against choosing the right lies In the
gang spirit, the power of a popular
leader and band Of associates. We
need to counteract this downward
! power by the atmosphere. the motive
power, Of number Of people flled
| with the same spirit and moving IN
1.-The same direction