Year: 1863

Rabbi Akibo, compelled by violent
persecution to quit his native land, wan
dered over barren wastes and dreary
deserts. His whole equipage consisted
of lamp, which be used to light ut
night in order to study the law 80 cock,
which served him instead of watch. to
announce to him the rising dawn; and
an ass. on which he rode.


The sun was gradually sinking be-
meath the horizon, night was fast ap-
preaching and the poor wauderer new
not where to shelter his head. or where
to rest his weary limbs. Fatigued and
almost exhausted, he caue ut last near
to village. He.was glad to find it in
habited, thinking where human beings
dwelt. there dwelt also humanity and
compassion; but be was mistaken. He
asked for nights lodging; it was re-
fused. Not one of the inbospitable in
habitants would accommodate him; he
was therefore obliged to seek shelter in
neighboring woods.


1t is hard. very hard, said he, mot
to find hospitable roof to protect me
against the inclemcncy of the weather /;
but God is just. and whatever He does
is for the best.


He seated himself beneath tree,
lighted his lamp, and began to read the
law. He had scarcely read chapter,
when a violent storm extinguished his
light.


What ! exclaimed he, must not be
permitted even to pursue my favorite
study? But God is just. and whatever
He does is for the best


He stretched himself on the bare earth,
willing, if possible, to have few hours
sleep. He had hardly closed his eyes,
when fierce Wolf came and killed the
cock.


What new misfortune is this p ejacu-
lated the astonished Akibo. My COM
panion is gone! Who, then, will hence
forth awaken me to the study of the law?
But God is just He knows best what is
good for US poor mortals.'


Scarcely bad he finished the sentence,
when terrible Lion came and devoured
the Ass.


What is to be done now p exclaimed
the lonely wanderer. MY la p and
my cock are gone my poor ass too is
gone, all is gone! But, praised be the
Lord, whatever He does is for the best.


He passed sleepless night. and ear
ly in the morning went to the village to
see whether he could procure horse or
any beast of burden to enable him to
pursue his journey but what was his
surprise not to find single person
alive !


1t appears that band of robbers had
entered the village during the night,
murdered its inhabitants, and plundered
their houses. As soon as Akibo had
sufficiently recovered from the amaze
ment into which this wonderful occur
renee had thrown him, he lifted up his
voice and exclaimed


Thou Great God. the God of Abra-
ham, Isaac and Jacob, now know by
experience, that poor mortal man is
short-sighted and blind. often consider
ing as evils what is intended for their
preservation. But Tnou alou. art Just,
and kind, and mercful. Had not the
hard-hearted people driven me. by their
inhospitality, from the vi lage. should
assuredly have shared their fate Had
not the wind extinguished my lamp. the
robbers would have been drawn to the
spot. and have murdered me. perceive,
also, that it was Thy mercy which de-
prived me of my two companions. that
they might not, by their noise. give no.
tice to the banditti. and tell them where
l was taking my rest. Praised be Thy
name for ever and ever