.&*#£ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Cli;i|i.» .^.loiniri^fo. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. * NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. BY s AMANDA PYLE MICHENER. Knowledge by suffering entercth, And life is perfected by death." TRESS OF J. B. LirPINCOTT COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA. 1889. P5 zs°io Copyright, 1S89, by Amanda Pvle Michener. PEEFACE. The following Bible story, through which a thread of romance is interwoven, was written in 1887. It was suggested to me by the reading of " From Night to Light," by B. E. E. I was so enchanted with the story that it seemed to haunt me, until I felt impelled to give it to the public in the form of verse. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. — Drifting towards Babylon 7 II. — Tidings of War 11 III. — Victory or Defeat ? 17 IV. — The Handwriting on the "Wall 29 V.^-Bound for the City of Is 40 VI. — The King's Decree 50 VII. — Journeying to Jerusalem 50 VIII.— Eejoicings 89 IX. — Lights and Shadows 98 X. — Crowning the Temple 118 XI. — The Work Progressing 132 XII. — Brightness at Last 140 ] •■• NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. CHAPTER I. DRIFTING TOWARDS BABYLON. " Hold ! To the right there, Naphtali ! Are you dreaming ?" The sweet chant instantly ceased, And a bright flash kindled the young Jew's eye, As with the unmerited rebuke He sees his stern master come nigh ; But the heavy cloud of captivity hangs low As swiftly down the current they go. Sadly musing, the young boatman guides his craft along, As he sings, the while, the sweet praises of David's song. 7 g NAPHTALJj Oh\ THE VOUNQ BONDMAN, Like Blender needle-points the turrets of Babylon And the Bnow-crowned hills grow dimmer In the distance of the skies. While his companion at the bows Toys idly with his floating oars, A well-worn parchment from his belt Naphtali takes and o'er its contents pores : "Through God, valiantly we shall do, For he it is who our enemies will puisne." The wily Assyrian standing close by Is guarding him ever with a watchful eye. The songs of David scarce does the boy begin When his master, saying, "A traitor's song are those yon sing," Snatches the roll and flings it far into the river. "That was my only copy," the boy's lips murmur, with a quiver. Naphtali, with a wistful eye, Sees the fragment floating by. His master then spoke threatening words Which oft before this dew had heard. Grief in his breast is struggling now As he sees his parchment onward tlow ; The only copy of King David's psalms His master has snatched from his fair young hands. DRIFTING TOWARDS BABYLON. 9 Wafted down on the wings of the wind, These words to his troubled soul come in : " Righteousness and judgment exeeuteth the Lord to all that arc oppressed/ 9 These words are as the voiee of a faithful friend, They rebuke his spirit and comfort send ; This thought arises within his mind : " The parchment yet I still can find ; Written deep down within my heart I it can see; It is not wholly lost to me." With a dying blessing the aged Ithamar Had placed it in his hand, And with sorrow he sees it borne Away at the wind's command. Into the very heart of Babylon The little craft is floating on ; Naphtali rouses from his reverie, knowing His parchment now is gone. A most beautiful picture rises before him now, As he watches the beauty of the sunset's glow; Like emerald arches mounting heavenward, The Hanging Gardens rise ; Their foliage, as it were, in mid-air Striving to clasp the earth-clods With the bright blue of the skies. 10 NAPHTALIi Oh\ THE YOUNG BONDMAN, In its own grand Betting of parks and gardens fair Stands the palace of the king in its beauty there. On the western banks, tower above tower. He sees the majestic temple of Belus rise, Pointing to a bewildering height Its turrets to the skies. Around each lordly mansion, each humble dwelling too. Are thrown invincible walls, — invincible Save where, as a keen sabre's edge, ents the great river through. Now the huge brazen gateway shuts out 'The magnificent scene, As the dropping of a heavy curtain ; Picture and parchment are forgotten. For the busy present eometh in between. CHAPTEE II. TIDINGS OF WAR. "There! Naphtali, be swift of foot, these bottles Of palm wine must be delivered to-night; Take them to the merchant's, ami see to it. aright." Silent obedience he knew would best his master please ; Quickly the Leathern bottles were packed and borne with ease. A strange commotion in the streets there seemed to be, Which, his curiosity aroused, he fain would see. To the merchant's eagerly he hastened, And, unloading his tray, " What is the cause of all this commotion ?" He to the waiting-maid did say. " Why, have you not the news of the courier heard ? Darius the Mede has summoned Cyrus of Persia, And this great commotion stirred. Their troops will join in besieging our city. If this be true, they will spare no eye to pity." 11 12 NAPHTALI; OR, THE TOUNQ BONDMAN. From within, a sudden call hastened the servant away, While Naphtali quickly raised his empty tray. On every side eager, exeited voices greeted him, And, as the armory he passed, a clattering of Shields and spears he heard within. The brazen gate closed with a loud harsh sound Just as Naphtali into the boat stepped lightly down. He well knew, if one minute later he had been, The displeasure of his master he would have incurred again. Drawing a deep sigh of relief, he to his comrades said, " Soon in the city will be heard the armies' noise and tread." With intense interest listened they to Naphtali's news, And no time in reporting to their captain did they lose; Eager to learn more, scanned they the closed gates And watched the city lights ; But nowhere any unusual sound Detected they that night. Naphtali his evening supplications did repeat, But slumber with the asking to him that night was not meet. The very stars above him, shining bright, Like sentinels, seem watching for the coming fight. TIDINGS OF WAR. 13 Would the morrow's sun on the vast plains of Shinar Reveal those countless legions of the coming war? The walls were so strongly built, a long time the siege might last; Perhaps they would die of starvation before the war was past. His little orphan sister was watching for him with an eager eye ; Weeks might change to months And months to years might fly, Before again from him she the news would learn; Then the thought came sadly, perhaps he would ne'er return. " Cast thy burden upon ilie Lord, and he shall sustain thee." On the midnight stillness, these words to him were as a voice ; Although his parchment now was gone, They, made his heart rejoice. While the watchful Assyrian was sleeping sound, And the stars on Naphtali were looking down, Suddenly his attention was arrested by a falling star Verging towards the sleeping city As it descended from afar. 2 14 NAPIITALI; OR, THE YOUNQ BONDMAN. The thought came to his mind with wonderful force, " Prophetic this star now is in its course/' u . Lucifer, son of the morning } From heaven how art thou fallen /" Had not the patriarch to him foretold The ruin of the golden city ? The strange thought of a coming battle, In which he too might take a part, Filled his soul with pity. The end of the seventy years' captivity so close at hand, The new light about to dawn, upon a captive band. The fall of Babylon, so long the glory of kingdoms, should he it see With his own eyes, as Ithamar had declared that it would be? On the gate-way the waning moon lit up the huge lion's head : It seemed to him like a vision, that together The lamb and the lion should lie down in their bed. Falling asleep, in his dreams Naphtali strove To arouse his sleeping mate, But in the rosy light of the morning sun He found himself awake. Not a word of the prophetic strain escaped his lips, For all his companions Assyrians were to the finger- tips. TIDINGS OF WAR. 15 So Naphtali in his heart quietly pondered these words o'er. With the swinging back of those great gates His comrades stepped on shore. Now, of this young captive let me you a picture give : J>eside his stalwart companions, a mere child And slender built he is. The eighteen summers of his clouded life Had moulded both his heart and mind, True manliness he had acquired, And a character pure and kind ; An open countenance with olive cheeks before us rise, Dark waving locks and wistful, restless eyes : Now you have Naphtali's face In all its beauty and winning grace. Doubly he was orphaned now : His mother's death had left him so. He was surrounded by every influence to draw him away From the God his father taught him ever to obey. Forsake his cherished faith, will he? Let us follow him through a few years of his life and see. 16 NAPHTALI; OR, THE FOUNO BONDMAN. The returning boatmen eagerly they greet : "Have you any tidings heard to-day along the street ? Is there an active battle or a siege at hand? What has been the order of the king's command ?" " Along the eastern horizon something has been seen." " Have they yet apprised Belshazzar our great king ?' 1 His soldiers, as locusts, stood in numbers there ; Why should they change countenance tor battle to prepare ? With disciplined soldiery and granaries heaped, Why borrow trouble for fear of defeat ? Thus reasoned Belshazzar in his great pride, From the heart-stricken people the panic to hide. CHAPTER III. VICTORY OR DEFEAT? "For naught have you labored, lads," said the captain, As their morning work noticed he ; " Up the river we will not go till after the siege, For such, I foresee, there will be." Carefully the merchandise was packed away, And he proceeded to hire out his crew that very day. Naphtali pleasing work had assigned unto him : In the beautiful Hanging Gardens he was to begin. And, as he walked through the streets of the city, With a heart full of love And an eye full of pity, Mused thus : " If the king secure can feel within this wall, Why should a shadow o'er our hearts fall ?" To all outward appearance, ease and luxury greeted his keen eye ; In the dust at his feet a golden tassel low did lie, From the trappings of some richly-caparisoned horse ; b 2* 17 18 NAPHTALI; OR, THE VOUNQ BONDMAN. Stooping to pick it up again, The prophetic words of Isaiah to him came: " Come down and sit in the dust. . . . daughter of the Chaklees." Envying not the gay youths that passed him by, He gazed on them with a wistful eye, For he longed to warn them of danger to come, That their golden idols they might lay down. Deep down in his heart he hoped that they might see, Beside the God of Israel, no other God could he. Now he approaches the gardens fair, To attend his daily labor there ; A most beautiful picture meets his eye, — Terrace above terrace rising high ; All about him floats the sweet perfume of rich exotics rare. And the sweet singing of the birds ; In those gardens fair, Pure, soft breezes stir the foliage of the trees; Surely, the garden of Eden could no fairer be than these. But, oh ! no sweating of the brow had ever there been found, No thought of care or labor, no tilling of the ground. And from his people God his countenance did not keep. VICTORY OR DEFEAT? 19 Just then a ripe ricli pomegranate Fell low down at his feet, Interrupting his reverie : it would quench His burning thirst, he thought ; But Eve's transgression arose within his mind, — Had not her sin much trouble brought? A rich young nobleman, passing by that way, Plucked some of the luscious fruit, and thus to him did say, — " I trow thou wert thinking of something more Than the pomegranate thou hast just passed o'er." And he tossed one far more red and rare Into the young Jew's hand so fair. With his countenance beaming bright, Naphtali, looking into his face with pure delight, Said, "Thinking I was, my lord, had not Eve Listened to the tempter's voice, Would not God some day more than made her heart rejoice ?" "Ah, a Hebrew lad I see thou art ; How canst thou believe, not having seen This God in whom thou claimest a part?" " Thy soul I do not see, my lord, but one I know thou hast ; Thy God is the great Belus now, but that will not always last." -20 NAPHTALI; Oh\ THE VOUNQ BONDMAN, u 1 >nt , my lad, is Israel's God more powerful 'Than Belus, who is clothed with the Bun?" ''Our God, at his command, A whole day, still bade the sun to stand." " A bold defender 1 see tlum art Of this God in whom thou hast a part; But tell me this marvellous thine-, when was it done. That your great God could stay the sun ?" Then the boy, in tones low and sweet, The command of Joshua did repeat ; Soon adding, with earnestness and worth, — " Lord, our .Lord, how excellent is thy name hi all the earth !" Rut how rash, thought he, this to repeat To a Babylonian, I'm sure it is not meet. But this young Shethar had a large, good heart ; With delight and wonder in these words he took a part. '• More of these strange, majestic songs, I soon must hear ; On the morrow to my palace come, — it is quite near." " On the morrow to your palace 1 would gladly come, But my present master's work I must have done." Then the rich young nobleman inquired of he, — u Who may thy master, my young lad, now be?" "Beriah, my lord, from the city of Es." VICTORY OR DIC FEAT f 21 Tills merchant then, to the young Jew did say, — " With me canst thou not come from thy master soon away, And be the servant of Shethar, rny lad?" NaphtalPs young heart now felt glad. " I would with groat joy your servant be, But my little sister, — what of her, you see? I would rather far with Beriah stay Than leave her with that cruel master and go away." "You have a little sister, then ; we must have her too." A flush on Naphtali's cheeks now grew. As soon as the crew up the river went, Rachel to Babylon would be sent. Naphtali his new master now obeyed, For soon the changes had been made. Shethar with deep interest listens now To the wonderful history of the young Jew, And he notes it down on tablets of clay With an iron pen, henceforward to stay. The despised casket Naphtali unlocks with a magical key; Now inexhaustible wealth in those heart-stirring songs he doth see. 22 NAPHTALI', Oh\ THE YOUNG BONDMAN. In all the lore of pries! and scribe, The like he had never heard j Those sweet songs and chants of David His very bou! now stirred. Naphtali, he thought, must learn To accompany his voice with the lyre, So he bade him go for the instrument, That sweet music his voice might acquire. But no sooner had lie obeyed his lord's command Than he saw in the glittering sunlight o a a The enemy near at hand. Descending quickly from the house-top with the lyre, He informed his master that the enemy was Approaching the vast plains oi' Shinar, And would soon reach the city walls. At the king's command every one to his post now falls. The young nobleman full well knew There was one among the number would prove true. Shethar hastens now away At the command oi* the king, his order to obey. His young favorite he appoints a shield io wear ; A coat of armor, and a sword he'll bear. Naphtali takes his place in the gorgeous chariot as one in a dream, VICTORY OR DEFEAT? 2;> And nearer and yel nearer the martial strains of music to him seem. The bright pennons now float gayly in the breeze, Heady for a grand festival, instead of carnage, seemeth these. ]>ut now the chariots into ready line do fall, While horsemen swift and spearmen conn; marching all. As the incoming tide of the ocean, The Persians steadily advance, And the beautifully-equipped horses, In their delight gayly prance. The chanting of the priests with the holy fire, Can almost now be heard ; And the vast body of light-armed troops With archers and chariots now are stirred. Now quivers the golden eagle of Cyrus in the light, As if pluming its wings for victory in the coming light. A vision of little Rachel's face to Naphtali came, And, brushing off a blinding tear, — " Shall I see her e'er again ?" With a firmer grasp he clinched the huge iron shield, And then began the battle that ensued upon the field. Within the walls the Babylonians hastily retreat again, While Shethar's horses, with his fallen charioteer, Lie dying on the plain. 'jj .v.i/7/7'.!/,/; on, Tin: TOUNQ BONDMAN. Shethar leaves the field without a single wound ; But an arrow pierced the young shield-bearer, Leaving a slight but unprotected one. Loud lamentations greet them now on every Bide, While the tearful prophecies iu Naphtali's heart abide. u But," thought he, 4i were it not tor this slight twinge of pain, This terrible battle would seem almost like a dream." All over the city reeklessness ami revelry did endure. But within those strong invineible walls Belshauar felt himself secure. Had they not enough provisions Laid up tor twenty years ? Why should they then afflict themselves With needless oares and tears? A- months passed by, the besieging army Labored all in vain. Their battering-rams of assault Against the strong walls eame. Yet those strong walls seemed impervious To every fierce attack, And in bitter disappointment The Persians were kept back. VICTORY OR DEFEAT? 25 Naphtali learned to wake sweet strains upon the lyre, And his progress was watched with growing interest By young Shethar. But one day a great trial to him came That gave him much anxiety and pain. His master gave to him a song to learn That shocked his inmost soul in return. " Thou shall have no other Gods before me." He wanted still his master to obey, But he must put those heathen songs away ; He resolved not to do the wicked thing, And with a resolute heart a denial to his lips did bring. Gaining admittance to his presence, now Before his master Naphtali low did bow, Saying, " I have a favor great to ask of thee : I cannot learn those songs thou gavest me. My lord, thou knowest I was born a Jew. I beg pardon, but those songs I cannot sing, — Songs dedicated to your heathen god and king." Shethar's countenance fell, and to the young Jew he did say, — " Your post of honor shall be taken from you this day. B 3 26 NAPHTALI} OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. From my presence, unthankful boy, You now must go, And among my menials your plaee Henceforth you shall know." As, with a bursting heart, Naphtali turned away, His bandaged limb his master saw, And to him thus did say, — " I acknowledge you have faithful been in every task Assigned to you except the last ; Soon as your rash words you repent Back to your post you shall be sent." With meekness in his tone, now Naphtali spoke, — " My lord, among your menials I will gladly work; Hut, oh, my lord, 1 cannot take again Words that have given me much pain." The firmness of the boy, She thar could not help but see, And honor stamped upon his brow he felt would ever be. With a clear conscience, but a heavy heart, lie hung up his lyre ; Full well he knew the other slaves On his young lite would jar. lie must leave the magnificent halls, And with spade and hoe Among the sun-bronzed laborers forth must go. VICTORY OR DEFEAT? 27 He being the nobleman's favorite, They had regarded him long with a jealous eye. What could he now expect of them ? But to be faithful he would ever try. Many jeering questions would greet him on every side ; But with the God of Israel he could his sorrows hide. As days and weeks passed by, Their friendship he had won ; Oft with deeds of kindness, to him they now would come. One he found among this motley number Who made his young heart glad : This Ishbak showed in his very face Some Jewish traits he had. The piercing gaze of his jet-black eye, And the far-sighted look that in it did lie, The compressed lips and outline That his whole countenance had, Showed an unsubdued and proud spirit That rebelled in this young lad. A Jew intellectually, he believed in God As a mighty king ; But those grand prophetic strains That filled Naphtali's bleeding heart No comfort to him did bring. 28 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. He knew nothing of God as a loving Father and unseen friend ; No wonder the dark cloud of captivity Had not one rift of blue for him. The past, he saw, was impenetrable gloom. But Naphtali's range was wider ; Often pure light to him would come. Two years now had passed away Since with uncongenial friends he had to stay. At last his daily labor was growing irksome, But the rifts in the clouds would widen, he thought, ere long. Many leisure hours he had spent in writing, On tablets of plastic brick, David's sweet song. So the great God led him up to manhood, And in after years he realized in very truth How good a thing it is to bear the yoke in youth. CHAPTER IV. THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. Naphtali and his fellow-laborers were Excavating an artificial pond one day ; While talking among themselves, Each to the other thus did say : " This night at the king's palace a great feast there will be, With a thousand lords ; among them our master you will see." " I wonder how the king's heart can be so merry, When such great danger is near at hand." " Nothing worth mention have we seen as yet, But still the besiegers are not idle in our land." " Except the defeat in the outset, a different story These two years have told." " You'll find they are not working in vain As all this digging will unfold." "Indeed," exclaimed the first speaker, " Since you are so wise, you may be able to tell when This work of spading and digging will end." 8* 29 30 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. Ishbak answered with a look of haughty disdain, But to Naphtali, as yet, these words Gave neither trouble nor pain. But with terrible force they were to come to him soon : As he lay on his couch that night, A sudden cry of alarm did to him come. " To arms ! fight for your lives ! the enemy at last Has entered the gate ; For plunder and destruction at the palace Of the king they wait." Is it a dream, a terrible nightmare, That rouses Naphtali from his slumber there ? Ah, no ; the clatter of armor, the aimless Running hither and thither, And the piercing cries from the street, — All confirm the worst apprehensions ; The enemy they now must meet. Why, his master at the king's palace too would be ! He would wear his coat of armor and hasten there to see. Quick to the armory he runs, his coat of mail puts on; Seizing sword and shield, out in the street is gone. Hastening to the king's palace, through By-ways and thick shrubbery he goes THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. 31 With noiseless footsteps ; the Persian soldiers Have not yet discovered him, he knows. " But, hark ! was that the wind rustling among the • trees ?" Distinct, yet more distinct, now grows the sound. Dark forms pass close beside him, as breathless with suspense He crouches in the shadow low upon the ground. " Ho ! comrades, is not this for the Medes And Persians a most glorious night ? Who would have thought to turn the river, Who but our great commander in the fight? All covered are the treasures there," he hears them say, As the retreating sound of their footsteps dies away. He hastens on with swifter steps and Enters the almost deserted halls ; But, oh, the awful sight that meets his eye ! For mercy, the lofty colonnades seem Supplicating heaven, with arms Outstretched on high. Naphtali shudders as he recognizes here and there Some bleeding, wounded face ; Could it be that his dear master lay dying Here in such a place ? 32 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. Quickly from room to room he hastens Until, by the sudden gleam of a dying torch, He Lord Shethar spies, For much of pain and misery the awful darkness hides. His master's bleeding wounds he binds And a quiet resting-place for him finds. The dark clouds and gloom now shade the night ; Naphtali watches beside his master until the morning light. All about him lay the bodies of the slain. Ever and anon from distant halls The wails and moans of the dying came. " Can such destructive work perform God's will ?" Yet he cannot doubt the prophecy, trusting still : " God's ways are past finding out." " But how had the besiegers entered the city ?" Then the words of the soldiers came to His mind with wonderful force ; He remembered now how they spoke Of the river being turned in its course. " Though mighty as Cyrus, how could a man Move the great stream ?" Perplexity and doubt trouble his mind, — " What does it mean ?" THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. 33 This was the longest and dreariest night He ever had known ; What if his master should die before dawn? He bends his ear, and low, still breathings from him come ; " Cast thy burden upon the Lord" Come the words from David's song. " You are faithful, my boy, to stand by Your master in such an hour. Who but your Israel's God could have given you such power ? Ah ! Naphtali, your God is a great God Indeed ; we have seen his power this night. Listen, I will tell you about it before the morning light. Belshazzar from the temple of your God His table with gold and silver graced, Praising our gods before to his lips these sacred cups he placed. And, oh, Naphtali, I took one in my Hand and touched it with my impious lips ; Pray to your God, I beseech you, That he will pardon me this." A distant sound from some corridor came Of a fellow-sufferer writhing in pain. Groping about in the glimmering light of the com- ing dawn 34 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. To the place where the sound arises, Naphtali hastens on. He lifts the mangled and bleeding forms one by one Until, unscathed by a single wound, He raises a drooping soldier from almost a living tomb. Nothing but the motions of the Persian soldier Can Naphtali understand, But he hopes to find in him One whom he can command. So he points with earnest gestures and all The beseeching eloquence of a Jewish eye, Thus he draws him to his wounded master's side near by. The soldier, glad to prove his gratitude, In broken Assyrian now, More plainly shows his willingness And to Naphtali's wishes bow. A Persian soldier he has rescued, it is true ; But what is nationality in such a place ? The warrior recognizes in him a deliverer ; Bound by one common tie in suffering Is all the human race. A rough litter soon they form And tenderly place Naphtali's master thereon. THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. 35 That the rich nobleman may attract no curious eye, The Persian soldier throws his cloak Around him as they hastily pass by. Out of the charnel-house they bear him To the street below, Through the disordered troops, to Shethar's home they go. Now Shethar's eye's grow wild with anxious fear, For not a living soul of all his household doth ap- pear. His head droops heavily, and the Bearers pause now in dismay, For the plunderers have borne his wife And little son away. Is there nothing left to give a clue To their sad fate? Naphtali, with an anxious look, Bids the Persian soldier wait. The soldier a rough exterior had, But also a kindly heart. Naphtali, with a lady's robe and a Child's necklace, bids him now depart. Pointing to his master, he places the bauble In the soldier's hand ; As his eye wanders through the desolate halls, He easilv understands. 36 X.irUTM I; Oh\ THE FOUNQ BONDMAN, Naphtali thinks it doubtful Whether soldier or garment again he'll see, Bui a thought flashes through his mind, — u It possibly yet may be That the lady and child will Be recovered in this way." Shethar's fain! voice breaks the silence: •' Have you heard of my loved ones, pray ?" " For your innocent, helpless ones. God will tenderly eare. And your great sorrow with you he will surely share." " Say uot so : 1 have offended your just God, you see ; And our great Belos, he has forsaken me." " Oh, my lord, he is merciful and just If in him we only put our trust." M Oh, eould 1 hear of my loved ones again ! ' Ks but another punishment from your God, this pain." " Wait," says Naphtali, " till the tumult Has quieted down, And perhaps your loved ones tor you will bo found." '• Naphtali, the bright side vou always see : Hut listen, the rest of mv story 1 will tell to thee. THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. 37 Scarce had we sipped from the sacred cups, When before us came the fingers of a hand Writing strange, awful words : [m mediately in every heart a dreadful (car was stirred. Belshazzar quaked with awful fear When this Strange vision did appear, — ' Mene, Mene, Tekel UpharsinJ "In amazement I looked upon these words That shone so bright ; Never before in all my researches had I 3een Such dazzling light. "Now among the astrologers that wen; Quickly summoned lo come, Not one could interpret this writing In the banquet-room. ]>nt the queen-dowager of Daniel's fame had heard, And to the king's palace she hastened with this word. r l ne interpretation thereof Daniel soon did give. Never till my dying day can I the look outlive That rested upon the face of Belshazzar the king When Daniel the meaning thereof to him did bring. The king brought forth the scarlei robe for him to wear, With the golden chain, and the third ruler Made him in his kingdom fair. 38 NAPHTALI} OR. THE VOUNQ BONDMAN. Tho rest of the story, Naphtali, you well know, — How the enemy slow our king and did into his palace go» w Through the whole of Shethar's reoital Naphtali saw, Ami, as his master paused, exclaimed, with reveren- tial awe, — M God I how great is thy majesty ! I loir terrible arc thy judgments!" At the decline oi' the sotting- sun, Shethar bade Naphtali to the house-top goj Very anxious the nobleman was to know llow the city fared below. The strange appearance of the groat river Was the firs! thing that attracted Naphtali's eye; The soldier's remark came again to his mind, — About turning tho rivor dry. Cyrus through the river-bed Sad found an entrance into the city, Where he had groat dost mot ion made And showed DO signs of pity. A> he passed the corridor, he a glimpse Oi the soldier has soon, Minus robe and nooklaoo : In one hand iron fetters, and a soroll In tho other, ho doth brinfr THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. 39 'Tie an order for the Babylonian to lay down his arms And swear allegiance to the Persian king; Then his slaves, his wife, and child, to him they'll bring; And a high reward shall also be given To him who has saved the life of a Persian : Otherwise, in arms they henceforth must slay Until the conqueror they learn to obey. The oath of allegiance, with troubled brow, The proud Babylonian signed now. Naphtali his hand (<> the parchment gives, .P>nt no reward from them will receive. From bondage his loved ones soon are released, And again l<> his household cometh peace. CH a r r k k v. RH'NP iv: tS, 'Is V ) ttl< K ./ \ Iv. g With •• 11. BOUND FOR THE err)' OF IS, \\ As she watohes the Btrips of I >1 n** In the distance fade away, The thought arises in her mind, — "Oh, how long will he stay?" Every day that has past Since tWO Long years ago, She has lived oyer the last good-by Of the brother that loved her so. How tenderly he whispered that sweet word u Mix- pah," Telling her he would repeat it every night As soon as the first evening star Should put forth its shimmering light. Little Rachel was thinking still of the blue waters Thai bore him far away, As she hastily descended from the roof that day. Losing her balance, the whole Length From the top she fell • And of the result the future soon will (ell. Naphtali cannot now contented he While Shetlmr's promise remembers he, That from Beriah little Rachel should be bought,— 'Twas day and night his constant thought. t • 42 NAPHFALI; OR, THE VOUXG BONDMAX. Strengthened by prayer, he resolved to go And let his sympathizing master know That he wanted now to redeem his sister dear, Although to him the way did not seem clear. With his master's permission in earnest he was bent, And straightway on his labor of love he went. u Naphtali, yon have well earned your sister's free- dom and your own Since into my household yon have come; Under the Persian yoke yon yet must be. But from Babylonian slavery I will set yon tree." Keen sorrow mingled now with joy, As Naphtali bade his master adieu. It would weary US to follow him day by day I lis tiresome journey through. Everywhere his eye rested upon the devastating army's reign ; Here and there were trodden fields and barren wastes of grain. The river, too, seemed a conquered thing to be Since Cyrus 1 triumph o'er the city he did see. An entrance into the city of Belshazzar's pride they had found ; The prophecies must be fulfilled and God's word abound. BOUND FOR THE CITY OF IS. 43 To the deep, " Be dry !" he had said ; "For Cyrus I will dry up the river's bed ; Cyrus, my shepherd, as he waits, Before him will open the two-leaved gates." No wonder that Naphtali's hopes for his captive nation grew As through the unsettled country his tedious journey he did pursue. At last, in spite of his many detentions, He reached the city of Is. " In almost three years how little Rachel must have changed !" These thoughts were his. A soldier informed him that Beriah's family As captives had been taken far away. " What ! not all the Hebrew captives?" Exclaimed Naphtali in dismay. " A little cripple here I think you'll find, Whom with our captain they have left behind." "This little cripple is a stranger unto me; My sister was beautiful and strong, you see." As the heavy footsteps of the soldier die away, A faint sound of music cometh to his ear : -11 NAPBTALI; OR, THE TOUNQ BONDMAN. " A table thou prepares! before me in (he presence of mine enemies," Canto the sweet words soft and clear. Wondering much at the low, pathetic voice he heard, Thoughts of his own sweet little sister in his heart were stirred. Opening wide the door, inside the court ho quickly stands ; Busily engaged at work with the distaff in her hands, In the midst of a group of soldiers who were gath- ered round. Singing those sweet touching songs, little Rachel there he found. With mingled joy and sorrow he beheld her sitting- there, — 11 is fragile little sister, once so strong and fair. u The sweet song of the singer has brought me here; Dost thou recognize thy brother, Rachel dear?" That tall, bearded man whom she just now has seen Cannot be Naphtali : it must surely be a dream. But stooping down to clasp her in his strong embrace. With joy she smiles upon her loving brother's face. BOUND FOR THE CITY OF IS. 45 His unceremonious entrance the soldiers now alarm ; Their captain quick is sent for to keep them safe from harm. As the captain enters, there Naphtali stands : A look of recognition, and both stretch forth their hands. Enhanced by a grateful heart, the soldier friendship shows; Unto whom but this Hebrew lad is it his life he owes ? "I can ne'er express my thanks for your kindness to my loved one." " I am glad," exclaimed Harmeter, " something for you to have done." " But," said the Persian, " how can it be So far from Babylon I you see ?" " My little sister I came to seek," Naphtali said ; u And to redeem her for a ransom, I hither have been led." "Think you, from my deliverer a ransom I would take? Freely now I give her up for your own dear sake. " A high price, indeed, would the sweet girl command If I sold her as a slave, away from my own hand." 4t> XAPHTALI: Oh\ Till-: YOUNG BONDMAN. Naphtali's grateful thanks to Harmeter lie then gave. u No thanks, for what ean equal the gift Of a lite that has been saved?" On the following morn, Xaphtali and his sister started away ; On the long journey to Babylon, they slowly travelled day by day. The scrip that Rachel carried dropped low unto the ground, And among the scattered contents much golden coin was found. The kind Harmeter had remembered them with care : It was his thoughtfulness, they knew, Had plaeed the money there. For little Rachel, Naphtaii had been mueh con- eerned ; There was no way of going down the river, — This mueh he had learned. So he purchased two gentle mules for them to travel on, And joined a caravan bound for Babylon. Pausing now and then to rest as their weary way they keep, Scattered here and there the white tents look like sheep. BOUND FOR THE CITY OF IS. 47 Beside a cooling stream where the lofty palm-trees rise Is a place for rest and comfort under the desert skies. Naphtali, seeing his sister's face beaming bright, Said, " What art thou thinking of that makes thy heart so light ?" "I was thinking of those sweet songs which David sung; In some fair spot like this, they must have to him " Or one far more beautiful," Naphtali said ; " I have heard good Ithamar speak of the deep ravines And grand hills where our forefathers were fed. The fairest scenes soon weary one by their monotony here, Yet these endless plains seem to rest me And make me think of eternity near." "Naphtali, before my lameness came to me I longed from bondage to be free ; I never thought so much of God and rest, But only of fleeing to you, whom I loved best. And now in his great wisdom he has sent you back to me ; Through his love and mercy we cannot always see. 48 NAPHTALIj OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. I know he leadeth me by pastures green; This so often I have seen. •Surely goodness will follow me all my days, And may I dwell in the house of the Lord always." " My little Rachel has learned to trust her Father As she could not once, I see. Ah, Rachel, that last wish of thine, I hope will be, To dwell in the house of the Lord forever, realized by thee." Thus it was that each the other's faith strengthened day by day, As they journeyed on their long and tedious way. Naphtali pointed out the depredations the enemy had done ; And little Rachel shuddered when she thought Of the active part through which he too had come. " The broken walls of Jerusalem I long to see Built up again : oh. what a glorious day that will be! 1 cannot help wishing that 1 may see The fulfilment of the prophecy." Little Rachel sighed as a beautiful gazelle bounded past, And said, "I long for the time when blind eyes Shall be opened and deaf ears unstopped at last." BOUND FOR THE CITY OF IS. 49 " The lame man shall leap as an hart" Naphtali was touched by the childlike faith That in Rachel had a part ; But the great God was drawing her To his tender and loving heart. CHAPTER VI. When to the nobleman's palace they were led, [shbak, the Jew, to Naphtali said, — u Have you the great news about Daniel heard? A inono- the Medes and Persians jealousy was stirred. u ' For thirty days no request to God or man Might any bring,' — Thus read their unchangeable law,- * Save unto the king f u For into the lion's den they should be east Whosoever disobeyed this law that now was passed. u But Daniel, the favorite, went openly io pray, And low beside his window knelt he, three times a day. " Troubled in his mind was Darius the king When this sad news to him the messenger did bring. u But the decree already had been passed, Ami into the lion's den Daniel must be east. 50 THE KING'S DECREE. 5} "All night long, while he his prayers to God did bring, The music that the people played failed to please the king. " Early in the morning the king hastened to the lion's den, To see if any deliverance God had brought to him. "Oh, how delighted then to find that God had kept lii in safe ! Of harm the lions did to him, found they not any trace. "Now so enraged with those wicked men was lie Who against Daniel had plotted and urged on this strange decree, " Into the lion's den then those wicked men he cast, With their wives and children, to be devoured at last. " For no angel of the Lord was there to intercede, And on them the hungry lions greedily did feed." "But what effect/' replied Naphtali, "Had this deliverance on our king?" " To all people and nations proclaimed he this, That Daniel's God the one living and true God is. 52 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. " Also he decreed that in every part of his kingdom Men should fear and tremble before this Daniel's friend, Whose dominion and whose signs on earth shall have no end." " Oh, Ishbak, what glorious news this is to hear ! The Lord of hosts a God of justice is, and one to fear." In the nobleman's household Naphtali and Rachel Had spent a pleasant year : As months passed on in their quiet and pleasant home, There was nothing more to fear. Naphtali and Rachel among God's chosen few, A " remnant," still to be numbered, was the Jew. Adversity and prosperity alike had strengthened Their well-grounded trust, Since their residence in Babylon News they had to confirm their faith In this God so just. They had heard the wonderful story of the book of Jeremiah, That he had sent to the captive nations years ago, How the great priuce Seraiah had brought it to Babylon THE KfNQ'S DECREE. 53 And, after reading the prophecies concerning the doomed city, Into the Euphrates it did throw. Signifying how great should one day be the fall Of the mighty capital. Yet ever from these terrible judgments, As from the stagnant pool arises the lily white, This captive nation hoped that redemption Would one day come to them aright. One day, in the market-place, a great Concourse of people did Naphtali see ; Curious the cause to learn, he inquired If Cyrus had issued a new decree. " That he has," replied a stranger ; " But hark, can you not hear ?" The shrill trumpet again commanded silence, And the startling words were near : " Who is among you of all God's people, Up to Jerusalem let him go." Thus Cyrus, king of Persia, Astonished the multitude below. But in all the vast concourse, there was Not a heart with deeper joy now filled 6* f,l NAPHTALI; OR, THE VOUNQ BONDMAN, Than Naphtali'a: he had bo wonderfully Sim the propheoies fulfilled, His eagerness to tell Rachel the wonderful deoree Outstripped his Beet steps; but yonder [shbak he doth see. Telling his glad news to another brought to him relief. But this proud [shbak oould not share in his belief. Strange it was how this gloomy man Would find Saws In everything, 44 Out of love to Uraol, do you suppose, This did our king?" Naphtali replied, u Mow could it otherwise have boon. With the noble Daniel in oourl his influence to haul ?" From the pressure of r&hbak's leaden words, Napluali's bright hopeful nature soon is stirred, A more congenial friend in Rachel's sympathy he finds, Words more pleasing and suited to his mind, •• \Yhv," exclaimed she, with her oheeks all aglow, •• 1 did not think of the blessing coming to us so% >J 77/ a; KIX&'S DECREE 55 (i My heart yearns lil<<- :i living coal nj» to Jerusalem to go." u And mine, too," replied Rachel ; " but, A I am a cripple, how can if- be so ?" Willi tenderness replied Naphtali, " Y«»u must not grieve; My sister here In Babylon I will never leave." Just then a message from Shethar to him was brought, Ami Rachel was left to her own perplexing thought. CHAPTER VII. JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. Onward pressed the Jewish band From the banks of Chebais : Forty-and-two thousand three hundred And threescore souls were these. Maids and servants besides seven thousand Three hundred and thirty-seven, Then two hundred singing-men and singing-women For funeral-rites and marriage-feasts were given. Horses, camels, and asses increased the caravan And bore its treasure ; The priests, the Levites, and the singers waited To consecrate these offerings with pleasure. In Babylon, never had there a more joyful gathering been ; In all the great metropolis, more zealous advocates The Jewish faith had never seen. The vessels of God's house they had taken From the heathen temple at Cyrus's command ; 56 JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 57 In all the long years of captivity They had been guarded by God's own hand. For hfe chosen people, his providential care How could they doubt ? All things in readiness were for them On the morrow to start out. The veil of twilight was fast falling o'er the city ; Naphtali watched its palaces and temples Till all was hid beneath the mantle of night in pity. Of the fated city, Naphtali now was thinking, — How, in the coming days, it should be levelled to the dust; From the dreadful downfall he longed to save it, But what could he do more than trust ? Many a heart beat in like emotion That night for the beautiful city; Who can say but, in answer to prayer, Its destruction was delayed in pity ? With the first gleam of dawn the Israelites Awoke, in line to form ; And, ere the scorching heat of the noonday sun, Many miles on their way were gone. Let us look over the familiar faces, and see If, beside Naphtali's, the sunny face of Rachel there will be. 58 NAPIITALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. Among the many singers Naphtali is numbered there, And with good old Zilpah Rachel a place doth share. Among the children of Azgad, Ishbak will be found In the great concourse of people marching up to Jerusalem's ground. When the decree of Cyrus reached the nobleman's ear, Of Naphtali's going he could not bear to hear. He had a sad and troubled heart When, with his favorite, he found that he must part. Now rich offerings Shethar for him proposed. But the nobleman's gifts they would be ; And on God's altar his all he must lay, thought he. Let us march onward and to the great company cling, Now with Zilpah and Rachel our first day's journey bring. I doubt whether in all that great caravan, As their way they wend, There were two happier souls than Zilpah and her friend. With growing interest Rachel listened to the mother of Israel While her good stories she would tell. JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 59 The thrilling strains of song that came From the distant choir Seemed like the chiming of bells, And did her poetic mind inspire. But good old Zilpah could nothing hear Save the tramping of feet that were very near, While she talked oft of her happy home Where in her youthful days she loved to roam. Telling them of the flocks she tended, Of the beautiful olive-trees Dotted all about her father's house On the hill-side near were these. "Oh, my child, I cannot tell you how dear To my aged heart it seems, — This home of my childhood, from which I an exile long have been. " Oh, could I but see those beautiful hills and dales again ! But perhaps, like myself, not many of their charms remain. " There is naught in the land of exile Could with those hills compare ; But 'tis seventy years since the destroyer came, — Who can tell what changes may be there ? 60 NAPHTALIj OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. " If my eyes but behold Carmel and Lebanon again, I shall feel that my journey lias not been in vain. 4k I >nt I will weary yon with my babblings of by- gone yea re." "Of your capture, can yon not tell me, From your home where yon knew no fears ?" "Thinking of trials borne long ago Brings to the hear! new trust ; Tell yon of that fearful night, Yes, dear child, 1 must." "I never thought, " replied Rachel, " the memory Of past troubles could ever joyous be." u Profitable if not pleasant, they may surely prove, you'll Bee. tk Before my story I begin, That sweet psalm of David let me hear you sing." "Most gladly I will : a new world it opened unto me ; It is my favorite; I call it the golden key." That sweet song now charmed another listener's car : kl Am I always to find you by that glorious chant, sister dear?" JOUR A' E > / N(i TO JEM USA L EM. (J 1 She watched Naphtali with sisterly love and pride, The same thoughtful brother lie was now ever near her side. There in the sultry noontide, they sought The shade and cooling si ream, As they did when on their way to Babylon, It to Rachel seemed. A\u\ with grateful hearts recounted they God's mercy to Ids chosen race. " Is it not wonderful," said Rachel, "how lie cares for each and every one in his place?" Zilpah quiokly replied, " Great love; and pity indeed has he : Let me tell you how graeiously he has dealt with me. "It may strengthen, in the great God of Israel, your < rust ; My whole story rings out with thanksgiving To him who I know is just. ' lie, leadeth me beside the dill waters.' The picture of my joyous childhood seems to he mirrored there, For my young life was filled with all things bright and fair. In the latter part of King Josiah's reign 1 was horn, 62 NAPHTALI} OR, THE VOUNQ BONDMAN. When all the idols of his predecessors from the temple had been lorn, And once more Judah had taken The one ivuv God to mle supreme Daring the reign of Josiah our king." u Your words remind me, good Zilpah, Of It hamar's glowing accounts of eaeh happy year. Talking of God's mercies while in King Josialrs reign, A bright light in his dim eye would appear. " Even behind the dark oloud of captivity The tender, pitying face of our Father shines ; lie to anger slow, and plenteous in mercy is; Not willingly doth he afflict any children of his. " Would that Ithamar this glorious day had lived to see T "But better tar," replied Zilpah, " with God his King to be. 4 1 am sick,' the inhabitants in that land shall never say." Followed now a long silence, for each Was thinking o{' his loved ones In that land so far away, — So far, and yet so near that one little breath Withdrawn might waft us there. JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. (J3 Sweet, sad thoughts of the better land Bring our loved ones to us near. " I had almost forgotten my story, For in spirit I seemed thither to glide, But I will continue if you are interested enough To keep elose by my side. " My father was a zealous and devoted Jew, And by birth 'twas my mother's religion too. "But she was brought up in a family Where the god of Baal was adored ; Through the influence of my father, She learned to worship the one true Lord. " Ofttimcs ever afterwards, he would say, More than her teacher learned she The great God to worship and obey. " No wonder I learned to worship God In the atmosphere of this home, where I grew In the daily observance of our beautiful religion that I knew. " The God of Israel I thought I loved With my whole heart; The trial of my faith was yet to come, But with that thought I now must part. C 1 .v.i /•///'. I/./,- on, Tin: roUNQ BONDMAN. " Mv mother by death from me soon was railed away : When 1 was hoi twelve years old, Willi me she oould no longer stay. u Her foster-parents, Hilkiaji and A.bi, From Jerusalem did come ; Although worshippers oi' Baal, They wished to take me to their home. u A striking resemblance to my mother they did see. Then they begged permission that they might adopt me. u )$o zealous in religion was I, for one of my years, That, to temptation I might yield, my father bad no fears. So with words of affection he bade me a kind fare- well, My native hills I left, in the city henceforth to dwell. 41 To the beautiful city, Jerusalem, I went. Only a short, time had passed, when news to me was sent Of my lather's death ; but again I was More hitter trials to know That would make my heart oVrllow. lie had been Btruok by the falling of a forest-tree, And not one parting word had he left tor me. JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. gg "Those eight years that followed my thirteenth summer, how very sad ! Yet outwardly I had all things to mala; my sad heart glad. u Everything they (ton Id, to mala; my sorrow less, my foster-parents did. Learning to love, the display of the heathen temples, there was no one lo forbid. My face from my father's God fumed I then away, And the unreal god of an evil imagination learned I to obey," ri^ Tears were now streaming down her withered, wrinkled cheek ; ]5ut Rachel's heart was too full of sympathy to speak. Tenderly she stroked the while hair of her ag6d friend That now in bonds of love with her own heart did blend. Naphtali's eyes wandered from the shining desert To the soft clouds floating overhead ; He thought how silently they had risen From their gloomy bed. Jle marked how, o'er rock and hank, Fell the little stream that whitened at bis feet, e G6 NAPHTALI} OR, THE TOXJNQ BONDMAN. And how the very weeds rivalled the freshness Of the stately palms complete. The beauty of penitential grief came to his mind with striking force ; From the morass, the fresh cloud with the living green Seemed to bear a new impress of the great God in its course. Perceiving that an effort to relate her story had become, They begged her the rest of her narrative to postpone. Naphtali to his companion singers then returned, Impatient he, at even necessary delay while they sojourned. But scarcely had they concluded their last song When from Zerubbabel came the order to march on. Joyfully Naphtali hastened to lend Old Zilpahand Rachel aid; J>ut he would not find the little white tent, he was afraid. Hurrying to a hillock of hardened sand close by, Not a single tent remained, as o'er the oasis Naphtali cast his eve. JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. (;j Jn much anxiety with the moving caravan travelled be along; "Would he once again find Rachel/' He wondered, " \>y that psalm?" Ah ! there was Ishbak, who at once his anxiety relieved, — Rachel and Zilpah had kind attention at his hand received. While exchanging their mutual inquiries, [shbak unnoticed into the crowd was gone, And they saw him not again for many days to come. Nothing from a prosperous journey that day them did keep, And at nightfall they rested under his eye Who neither slumber knows nor sleep. The following day, as their journey they still pursue, Rachel was delighted at Zilpah's proposal her story to renew. " He restoreth my .soul: he leadeth me in, the paths of righteousness for his name's sake" " T had not begun, my dear young friends, To relate the way the Good Shepherd ' restored my -onl.' 38 NAPHTALI} 0R % THE TOUNQ BONDMAN. Tenderly he sought his wandering sheep, And through love led me back to the fold. 44 During the wicked Jehoiakim's reign, The great Nebuchadnezzar first up to Jerusalem oame. 44 Ai thai time only a few of our nation Were carried away from their native land, I >i 1 1 from the firsl attack of thai mighty king, The whole' country seemed a child's toy in his hand. u In the eighth year of Jehoiakim's reign The Moabitea and Syrians in hands to Jerusalem came, And the Ammonites were in league with The Babylonian him;- the Bame. u Truly we booh realized the threateninga {){' an offended Gk)d were just, And in the future more terrible calamities Receive from t ho vial of his wrath we must. " The ag&3 Hilkiah was but one among The many who were slain, And poor old Ahi not alone in her Lamentations lor her husband did complain. " About one-and-twenty was I then, And very vain indeed JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. {)[) Of my long, black, glossy hair; Bright eyes too I had, and a beautiful complexion fair. " Dazzled then I was with a rich Ammorite Who was twice my years ; A high position offering me, My hand without my heart I gave, Thinking not of fears. u No wonder that my married life A ource of misery proved to be : From the commandments I bad wandered, And the God of Israel I did not -<•'•. u Beside the Bin of intermarriage with a heathen, I had married without love ; Baal I worshipped outwardly, but an idol I made of self, Tor- entirely I had forgotten The great God above. " A little son wa then given unto me : I had a priceless treasure to worship now, yon see; But Jehovah's words still remained the same, — ' No other God before me ever sholt thou name.' " The truth of his commandm- I know I learned at last, J>ut not before my heart through sorer trials hud P : ' d. 70 NAPHTALI; OR, THE YOUNG BONDMAN. "Of the heathen deity Moloch, No doubt you both have heard ; A great sacrifice demands he When his anger e'er is stirred." "Oh, Zilpah, in what manner did they worship his great name ?" " To mention it, makes me shudder, but the bitter trial came. " By the Ammorites he was worshipped, — This heathen god all made of brass ; There was the head of a calf on the great hollow image, In which a fire was kindled and the victim thrown, — alas! No dumb brute will the helpless victim be, But a living human being, as you soon shall see." " Oh, Zilpah, Zilpah !" Rachel exclaimed, As if the fearful sight she saw ; " In that manner how could they demand One to worship, or our God suffer such a law ?" Zilpah replied, bitterly weeping, — "Those cruel priests, I believe, enjoy the sight; But the sacrifice I was demanded to make I have not shown you yet aright. JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 71 " My husband compelled me this offering to bring, Saying he had grievously offended Moloch the king. " He the oracle consulted, and what think You he did demand ? My little son — my own heart's treasure — Was called for at his hand. " I begged my husband that my life A sacrifice might be made ; But nothing save the sinless life of a little child On the altar could be laid." ."His father," replied Rachel, " was he not loath This cruel sacrifice to see ?" " God forbid that I should judge him now, But his words were cold and unfeeling then to me. " My little son away from me they took ; With all a mother's love I begged to keep him till the fatal hour ; But with my earnest entreaties nothing could I do, For all things now lay in the heathen power. " I thought over, on my sleepless couch that night, Every imaginable place where they might have him concealed ; To my long-forsaken God, entreating cries for help I sent, That the place to me might be revealed. 72 NAPHTALIj OR, THE FOUNQ BONDMAN. u Ami at midnight 1 arose to seek the hiding-place of my boy, Trusting (<> an offended God that I Mighl find my heart's delight and joy. 41 While wandering aboul the priest's dwelling The suppressed ory of a child I heard ; 1 orouohed dose down beside the wall Waiting for the morning, All the mother-love in my head now stirred. u If nothing more I could do, with him I was resolved i; A friend she would be, I know. " But turning aside from the riotous troops To a more unfrequented part of the city, I caught site of a Levite's house, Wherein I found both love and pity. " My little one I resolved to consecrate that day, Commending him to Israel's God, — And then I must haste away. " Willi my precious child I now must part, — JJiit warmth and joy suddenly filled my heart. *^ WIkii in the good man's arms I him had placed, Safer now, I thought, he is, than in a mother's strong embrace. "Still fearing my husband and the priest of Moloch Were in pursuil of me, A hurried farewell and kiss I gave him — A place of concealment for myself to see. D 7 '/I ,vi/7//'i//, oi:,riir VOVNQ HONDMAN ' 1*1 - in-ill r.iii i w.i i. ..in.- .1 oapth o Pur away, Ami nl nn hlllc l«.»\'. I.ilc I li.i\r not Immi.I :imv thai \\ moot uIho suoh i bitter III to. " For hm boy I have deeply yearned A ll the ■■•• <"\ out J ) • mi | I [oping w.m.I front linn to l< II 11 That \\ .Mil. I quiet tny foai But I gave l( would be From iIk 1 begluning <<» the end of my sad fate." Am /iil|>:ih spoke, K;'flu'l looked up through blinding I.MI . \ halo of Light around hot friend now appears, Deeply affected had both Naphtali and Raohel been, A M.l over after unto them \ sacred charge she seemed. Four months through de lerts, the oara\ an We may not follow .lay l>v o "i iii companionship pleasure ovor found* I n the whole company, the progress of eaoh day's journey M:n ked no one more than !"• , A 1 last, when in r< . 1 rested upon the I im 1 1 (I land, rejoiced ho seemed to l»« - . To the land of the exiled they were hastening fast) i'i- li in his w<'ll stored mind wore the I I Istorio events of ""■ pasti Jordan's blue waves still seemed waiting for The :ni bearing pric t, u they flowed on the sand ; A ii< I l i.k I, with Its wonderful history, Its mighty 1 1 ill .; and deep ravines, was no li gi andi For the first time they did Naphtali's thoughts I mm 11 i If ; Holy seomed the ground he trod, fairer S