Gems Gathered In Haste Part 3

_Rebecca._ Even so may it be!

_Eudora._ And my G.o.ds hers!

_Rebecca._ But that is impossible.

_Eudora._ Why? Because, as she says, we have images for G.o.ds! But this is not so. Is Jupiter the thunderer confined to an image? or is Juno or any other deity? Have we not many images of all the G.o.ds in many places, and are they not in them all? Do not our armies go forth to war, and is not Jupiter with them and Mars also? These images are but _reminders_ of the G.o.ds, as my father's statue is of him.

_Rebecca._ 'Tis true these many images and temples may not hold your G.o.ds more than our synagogues hold Jehovah; but as great an error is yours. You wors.h.i.+p what has no existence; your G.o.ds are creatures of fancy. Your G.o.ds, too, are of various character, and not always agreed. This goodly world is not the patch-work of many and different G.o.ds, but of one designing mind,--one executing power; and that one, Jehovah.

_Eudora._ Your sister, in many hours of precious intercourse, has almost persuaded me to believe in but one G.o.d; but why, if there be but one, may not that one be our Jupiter, known as the father of G.o.ds and men, as well as your Jehovah?

_Jezebel_ (To Eudora). _Because he is not._ (To Rachel and Rebecca).

Why do you talk with that stupid Heathen? You might as well convince a Samaritan dog. I have waited here with a message from David since the fifth hour, and all to be contaminated with idolatrous breath.

_Rachel._ Why, Jezebel, do you not remember what the wise Solomon has said: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city;" or Moses' commands concerning the stranger and hospitality?

_Jezebel._ Well, prate not to me, daughter of Eliab; for I need it not. Tell me if you have fulfilled the mission given you this day, and what answer I shall make.

_Rachel._ I have. Ye only need say, "It is well." _[Jezebel departs impatiently.]_ (_To Eudora._) Be not moved by our neighbor's unkind manners. Did she love Jehovah, she would not thus do.

_Eudora._ And is Jehovah careful about _these_ things?

_Rachel._ Yes: every act is noticed by him; every heart is his desire; and herein he differs from all imaginary G.o.ds. Jupiter sits apart, and simply _rules_ the nations. Jehovah loves the children he has created, and is careful about their least concerns. He desires their love in return. Your G.o.ds demand conduct and sacrifices injurious and degrading. Jehovah's every word is for his people's prosperity.

_Eudora._ And you are like your G.o.d. Your patient doing of right in the past comes to me; and this, with your kindness to the unfeeling and abusive Jezebel, has convinced me more, if possible, than your arguments. Surely I see that it was such a G.o.d that I desired to wors.h.i.+p in Jupiter. If this be found alone in your G.o.d, then does my heart move me to say, Jehovah, He is G.o.d, and there is none else. Oh!

may I not be mistaken!

_Rachel._ Trust in Jehovah, and thou shalt not err.

_Rebecca._ Rejoice in Jehovah, and thou shalt be glad for ever.

_Ruth (calling)._ Rachel!

_Rachel._ I come. (_To Eudora._) Let us hasten; for we have long tarried, and many wait to welcome you. _(Singing heard._) Hark! they are singing one of the songs of David: let us go join them.

At the close of the dialogue, the cx.x.xvi. Psalm was chanted; and then another gentleman described the erroneous notions which the Jews had of the expected Messiah. His remarks were succeeded by

DIALOGUE.--PART II.

ANNA, MARTHA, SALOME, MARY, _of Jerusalem._ MIRIAM, LEAH, _of Bethlehem._

_Mary (coming with Salome to Martha)._ Martha, I have been seeking, and am glad that I have found you; but why do you weep?

_Martha._ We may do nothing else now, and the meeting with others seems to be the signal for fresh floods of tears.

_Salome._ I may not ask the cause of your grief; for my own soul replies it is the common grief,--our nation's bondage.

_Martha._ Yes, we are slaves; that only thought haunts me; the chosen people of Jehovah in subjection to the idolatrous Roman.

_Salome._ Where now is the might of David? where the glory of Solomon?

Surely Miriam's song may be turned upon ourselves; for the enemy "hath triumphed gloriously," and we are laid in the dust.

_Mary._ Let us not, however, despond too much. Jehovah will not always chide. The Roman sway shall have an end.

_Martha._ I know that Messiah cometh, and he will restore all things; but when?

_Salome._ Yes, _when_? Long have we waited, and bitter has been our bondage; and even our own Herod has been more cruel than our foes.

_Mary._ Nevertheless, let us hope. In the fulness of time the promised one will come. (_Miriam and Leah approach._) But, see! two more friends join us.

_Martha._ Rather say, two more slaves.

_Salome._ Yes; two more to weep with us.

_Miriam._ Not so, not so, unless we weep for joy. The cloud that has so long hung over us in blackness is beginning to break. We have experienced more of gladness this day than has been ours since the last report that the Messiah had come was proved false.

_Leah._ Yes, we have heard strange things since the morning service; joyful news have we for you.

_Martha._ Another false prophet, no doubt, claiming to be Israel's deliverer, and proving a thousand times her foe.

_Salome._ Let us not cheat ourselves with any more fanatical dreams.

_Miriam._ No dream this; no fanatic's voice; no prophet's word, but a message direct from Heaven.

_Martha._ A message from Heaven!

_Leah._ 'Tis even so. Listen while I tell you. At Bethlehem, last night, the shepherds were watching their flocks as usual; at midnight they were startled by the sudden appearance of an angel of the Lord, and the s.h.i.+ning round about them of an exceeding bright light; and the angel spoke to them. "Fear not," said he, "for, behold! I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people; for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a _Saviour_, even the Messiah."

_Martha._ Can this be true?

_Salome._ But how shall he be known?

_Anna._ In Bethlehem, did you say? But there is no palace in Bethlehem, where a prince should be born.

_Leah._ Wait a little: I have not told you all. "This," said the angel to the shepherds, "shall be a sign to you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And, when he had thus said, there suddenly joined him a mult.i.tude of the heavenly host; and presently they burst forth into this song,--"Glory to G.o.d in the highest; on earth peace and good will towards men!" And with this song they departed.

_Anna._ This is indeed wonderful!

_Salome._ But have the shepherds seen the babe?

_Martha._ Oh! tell us that. Have they seen the babe? and are all things as they have declared?

_Miriam._ Yes. We met them on their return. They were, with full hearts, praising G.o.d for the new hope of a glorious deliverance given to the nation.