Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-11-03

they be all destroyed on a certain day a
year later "a day which he had selected
by casting lots).
Anticipating that some objection might
he made to such a course on the ground
that ii would reduce the kings income
from the cutting off of their taxes, he
offered the sum of $2,5OO,Oo0 out of his
private purse to Offset any such shrink
age. (IIis plan was to confiscate all the
property of the Jews-whichI would have
left him a few million to the good after
paying this indemnity. All the frenzied
financiers have not lived in this genera
tion).
Such was his confidence in Hannah that
the king granted him his request, gave
him his ring, and told him to do as he
pleased. Haman lost no time in having
the edict written in every language of
the realm, and sent by posts in haste.
There was great mourning among the
Jews all throughout the kingdom. In
Shushan none mourned more than Nor
decai.
USING HUMAN INSTRUMENTALITY
Esther's first information Of the edict
was from Mordecai. He refused the
garments she sent him, and in answer to
her question, sent her the ediet that had
been published in Shushan. He also re-
quested her to go unto the king and
make supplication for her people. She
sent word-for all their communication
was through third party, no access to
or egress from the haren being per-
mitted-asking If he realized what he
was asking. 1t was practically risking
her life with the chances all against
her, to do as he requested. He replied,
and his reply revealed the faith and
life of the man who had reared her, she
I'll \
her Jewish descent would be learned and
she would suffer also even though queen.
If she did not accomplish it. deliverance
would come from some other quarter.
He was sure of Gods promises, of Gods
love for His people still, of Gods un-
willingness to allow them to perish. II
she did not take the chance she had,
some one else would be found. How
did she know but that she had been
brought to her place OF honor for this
purpose?
The argument was convincing to
Esther. The risk was so great, however
that she was not willing to undertake
it without Gods guidance and blessing
She enjoined him to gather all the Jews
together for fasting and prayer for three
days, while she and her maidens would
do the same in the harem. At the end
of that time she would go to the king
land if 1 perish, PERISH She would
have done her best. at the risk of her
all.
She was very tactful. She knew the
kings love of beauty. Her beauty was
part of her capital stock. She placed
1t at Gods disposal to use She must
have looked like dream as she stood
at the door of the inner court-dressed
in her best style. flushed with excite
ment, the very largeness of the stake
she was putting up making every line
of her face vivid with expression. The
king saw and was conquered. The gold
en- scepter went out; she advanced and
touched it respectfully. She didn't ash
for the half of the kingdom, although
It was offered her. All she asked was
the pleasure of the kings company, with
Humans, at a banquet that day. Al
that she asked that the pleasure be-
repeated next day.
THE DELIVERANCE EFFECTED.
Haman went home with an awful case