Woman's enterprise., 1921-12-16
The Star OF Bethlehem
CVallie NJ. Seitz.)

'4oe lHe walls OF ancient JeruSa-
lem terror and confusion were ram
pant. On the eastern wall, soldiers
fought grimly, desperately against
the Assyrian hosts who thronged
down upon their stronghold with vari-
Gus shouts, beginning to sound a note
OF triumph as the ramparts weaken
ed.
From the battlements men were
falling, bleeding, dying; rude curses
mlngles with choking prayers; here
and there some undaunted Jewish
warrior raised a cry of courage,
which sank into gurgling gasp as
he pitched forward, his strong voice
silenced forever.
Over by the western wall, women
and children huddled in shuddering
fear-grasped group, crouched, wait
ing, watching with distended eyes, the
slaughter Of their defenders. Now
and then wailing cry rose from
their midst as some loved one fell
but most Of them prayed mutely
their white hands outstretched to the
God who now seemed so far away
so forgetful of his own. Why had he
forsaken them?
But their God was not forgetful
Away on the desert sands lone her
nit knelt, with hands upraised, i'm.
ploring help from the Jewish nation
and 10, as he lifted his eyes, the gray.
ness of the sands was hidden by a
golden luminous haze, from which a
shining form emerged, speaking with
tones Of ringing sweetness:
"Go and bid the children of Jerusa-
lem fight on, and fear not, for the
Lord shall Judge between the peoples
and shall reprove the heather nations
Let none make them afraid. The
mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoh,-
en-
The cloud melted into trailing vap.
or, and the gray haired hermit rose
and hastened away to the eastward
toward the besieged city.
Down from the walls the Jews
were driven at last, dropping from the
ramparts in sheer dismay at the
strength of the furious foes who as
sailed them. The walls still held, but
throughout their length they shivered
beneath the crashing blows Of the
assailants.
"Woe unto Jerusalem-her walls
are falling-her people must perish"
moaned the leader, and the women's
sobs rose into hysterical cries of
"Woe, woe unto the daughters of Is
rael" at his dread words.
But suddenly tiny, secret gate in
the western wall slowly opened, re-
spending to some unseen touch. A
moment, and then there stepped
through it a tall, gray-bearded figure,
whose rapt, uplifted face hushed the
tumult instantly.
ut is the prophet" voice mur-
INJURED, reverently; "listen, his words
are inspired. Never hath man pierc-
ed the futures veil as this one hath
DONE"
For an instant the prophet stood
searching their faces, with keen, burn.
ing eyes. When he spoke his voice
had the assurance Of one who sees
thru the present darkness the dawnine
light Of hope.
"Afar in the desert I prayed" thu
voice rang jubilantly, "and there came
to me glad tidings, borne on angels
wings. Thou who seemest now t
be fallen shalt rise again in triumph
Down the long years mine eyes peer
and behold One who shall come ou
Of Bethlehem to lead Israel, and HI
shall be our peace"
The blows still thundered on tn
walls; the shouts of the foe still float
ed in upon their ears; the angel o
doom still hovered above the besiege
city; but looking into that heaven-li
face, they fell upon their knees wit