_Leah._ All hearts warmed as they spoke; and, catching their gladness, we come to you.
_Mary._ Then shall we indeed hope! O my people! my people Israel!
shall we see you again in your former glory?
_Martha._ Surely, this news inspires my own soul. Once more shall the Roman be driven forth by the Lord of hosts; once more "shall Jehovah triumph, and his people be free."
_Salome._ Yes; and Messiah shall bring all nations into subjection to _us_, as we are now to the Romans.
_Anna._ Well may we wait a little longer, and bear the yoke with patience.
_Mary._ I knew the Lord would not always chide, nor keep his anger for ever. Now may we rejoice and glory in the G.o.d of our salvation.
_Martha._ Once more shall the name of _a Jew_ be somewhat more than a byword. When our King shall ride forth in his majesty, conquering and to conquer, then shall the Jews be terrible to their enemies, honored by their friends, and known everywhere as the people of the whole earth whom the Lord delighteth to honor.
_Leah._ Let us tarry no longer here, feasting on these good things alone; but away; and, in every closet and from every house-top, let us spread the good news.
_Mary._ Let us first, however, sing to Jehovah a song of triumph, and then to our work.
_Miriam._ Even so let it be.
Then arose, beautifully sung, this
JEWISH SONG.
Welcome day, oh, welcome day! a Saviour is born!
Welcome day, oh, welcome day! no longer we mourn.
Our nation, exulting O"er foes long insulting, Sings aloud, now sings aloud,--Oh, welcome this day!
Lift your voice, oh, lift your voice! Jehovah is G.o.d!
Lift your voice, oh, lift your voice! He has lifted the rod.
With goodness unceasing, From bondage releasing, We his people will sing,--Jehovah, is G.o.d!
Sound it forth, oh, sound it forth! Messias hath come!
Sound it forth, oh, sound it forth! through every sad home.
With power avenging, Our great wrongs revenging, He has come, he has come, Messias hath come!
Joy is ours, oh, joy is ours! his sword shall defend!
Joy is ours, oh, joy is ours! our foes shall now bend.
While at their yoke spurning, Their insults returning, Joy is ours,--we are free,--his sword shall defend!
Mrs. S.H. Winkley.
Another address from a friend explained the true idea of Christ as a Saviour, to introduce
DIALOGUE--PART III.
EUDORA, _Heathen._--ZACHARIAH, JOHN, RACHEL, REBECCA, SALOME, MARY, and JEZEBEL, _Jews._
_Eudora._ Well, Rachel, I owe you more than tongue can tell. The more I study Moses and the prophets, the more I believe in and love Jehovah; and the more surprised am I, that, for a moment, I hesitated in giving up the false G.o.ds of my childhood.
_Rachel._ To Jehovah be your thanks, my friend, my sister; for never by human reasoning should we have been different from you. In love Jehovah revealed himself to us; and what we have so fully learned from him, we have given to you.
_Eudora._ But what think you of the prophet in the wilderness,--John I think they call him?
_Rachel._ He is dead. He was a bold man, and a good one, I think; but the best should be careful how they rebuke kings. John rebuked Herod, and lost his head in consequence thereof.
_Eudora._ Well, we must all die.
_Rachel._ Not so says he whom John declared to be greater than himself,--Jesus of Nazareth.
_Zachariah._ If he be what many claim him, he speaks with more authority on that point than the Pharisees.
_Eudora._ And what do people say he is?
_Zachariah._ The Messiah.
_Eudora._ Israel"s Deliverer?
_Zachariah._ Yes.
_Eudora._ Well, what says he?
_John._ That they who believe in him shall never die.
_Eudora._ Surely, no one believeth that. Or does he jest, by saying what he knows they cannot receive?
_Rachel._ You have never seen him, or you would not ask that question.
No one hearing him can doubt, that he, like John, would seal his words with his blood.
_John._ You have seen him: is he like John?
_Rachel._ In boldness very like him. In other respects they differ.
John was clothed like the prophets; Jesus wears the common garb. John dwelt in the wilderness, and on the banks of the Jordan; but Jesus frequents the cities and villages. John was stern in manner, and abstemious in food; Jesus is neither. He is gentle and social; often seen at the feasts of the publicans, and a.s.sociating with the mult.i.tudes.
_Eudora._ But does he, like the former kings of Israel, combine military ardor with his religious enthusiasm?
_Rachel._ He seems, with all his boundless benevolence, formed to command; but never has he aimed to form an army, though the people would at one time have declared him king. Salome promised to meet us here at this time. I wish she were present. She can tell you more of him than can I.
_Eudora._ And here she is.