K

4 -

I ~

$1 4

p *~A

~; V ) 'A 4 *4 ~ A~TROLO~EBAF C1IAJ~DEA,

01 THE

-4 K ~ *A' LIFE OF FAITH.

)

i A ~ ;~ 4 7

4 ,-* 44~ K 4 A K

THE

4 ASTR OL OGE R OF C1A LIDE A,

41 03 THE

* 4 LIF E OF FAI1TI. * V

BY W77. T IYCKL9D, D. %,' AUTHOR OF ' THE LIGHT OF THE TEMPLE.'

*

4 4 /

O I N CIN NATI: PUBLISHED BY JACOB ERNST, 112 MAIN LIEm. 185. 7 ~1.

4 /1 -k

4

4 INTRODUCTION.

tas following sketches are drawn from veritable outliris of history, The incigents connected with the life.

I rable patriarch Abraham and his family, with the la Y. ,1 events occurring during his eventful history, are full of romantic interest to every loker of sacred scenes, and though Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by the author has drawn soznewhat ;on the imagination, yet W.P. STRdKLAND, truth hals not been subjecte4kto fiction. Imagination may be In the Clerk's Office for the Southern District of Ohio. legitimately allowed to exercise its strongest powers when bounded by the great outlilies of I, and We sacred writers 4 themselves indulged in such a cense, ag so long (lhe imaagination does not transcend the bounds of probability no valid objection can be urged against its exercise. Talfourd says of the effects of an imaginative literature,

" The world is not in danger of becoming too romantic. The , golden threa4p of p~bsy are not too thickly or too closely interwoven with the web of existence. Sympathy is the first great lesson which man should learn. It will be ill for him, if he proceed no further, if his emotions are but excited, to roll back on his~heart and to be fostered in luxurious quiet. A But unless litlearns to feel for things in which he #no personal in st, he can achieve nothing generouser le. The soul wJnot be the worse for thinking tibe well of its 4

'N - * 4

VI INTRODUCTION. Ind, or~ belig~ing that the highest excellence is within the ftach of its exertions." SIf the remarks of that-distinguished man be true, and that they are, every genial nature will respond in the affirmative, it would be well instead of making fiction appear like truth TA B LE O F CON T E NTS. for the purpose of curing credence, to present truth in the most attractive garb, and thus obviate the nesessity of fiction. :.~ ~tti Ifiire ard to mere works of fiction where the realbisIftf andt ofexcellence are created for the purpose of exciting CH APTER I. kin 'to loftier standards in the attainment of higher ex. The Festival at Edn...... r... cellencies, why should imagination be shut out of the realm II. of fact itself ? If truths are important and salutary, the CH4PTER more interest they can be, invested with the better, as in that Royal Festival at Ninevreh,...... --.- 9- case they will be more attractil4 and powerful in holding OHA TER III. and guiding the mind aleng the sacred path. The Temple at Babylon,......

CHAP'PER IV.

Court of Egypt,...... ,... $...70 CHAPTER V. Battle of the Kings,...... -8

CHAPTER VI. Vi it of the Angels to Sodom,...... n100 ||

romise Fulfilled,...... 9 .CHAPTER VIII. The Trial of Faith,...... 2

4 4 i OHAZ~T~11L IX. G#~om and Gfttdness,....,....~...... 141 CHAPTER X. ~...... TLIE ASTROLOGJ~U QF OUALP~ CHAPTERR XL Th~ Wild Man of Prophecy,...... ,....164 CHAPTER XII. CHAP2'ER I,

THE FESTIVAL AT EDEN. CHAPTER ZIIL

J)eath of Abrahaxn~...... ccc e.g UR, or URIc, "the city of light or~fire," for sii6ii was the meaning thereof in the Ohaldean tongue, CHAPTER~ XIV. ~ 4 was' si 4 a valley on the ~bank of the river The Child of ~ Tigris. ~Uey extended from the river to wI~at den nated the Tiy~$. mountains, a chaii~ OflAPTER XV. is now of ~hich extending north and south formed the Child of D~tiny,. q*~*6**.*. #~*. 9 @9 @9**** 4257 ~ie ancient boundary between Persia oi~4henorth am! east and Ohaldea on the west.4 The country around Ur, ettendlng from its north- c4 ern limits dowk to t e city of Nineveb, a distance~ ~ of many miles, was i~cent beyond description. The vale of Ispahan Persia, ~with its vane d beautiful scenery f forest and plain and rrve, tries ~4 flowers and surrounding mountains, its days ~f cloudless skies and nights of starry beauty, could not ~vie with the valley of the Tigris. spot particidarly, which had been designated *I t~, Bite of ancient Eden, was surpassingly ~eautiNl. 9

>4 THE ASTaOLOGER OF CHALDEAS 10 TIRE FESTIVAL AT EDEN. 11 In the center of this Eden was spread out a lake though not on. a scale~f equal magnificence with whose mirror-like surface~ electedtd the graceful Nineveli, yet possessed some palaces and monuments oriental trees which grew upon its banks, and the of art which retidered it attractive. It contained a gor ous flowers which lined its margin. Here magnificent natUi~e ~l~ad scattered 'with profusion h~r chpicest temple, the ruins of which have, after the lapse of nearly four thousand years, tleeu gifts. WHere were birds of brightest plumage and discovered by an oriental traveler. This~ tet~ple was sweetest song. Art could add nothing to its beauty. erected to the Sun, and here the priests of Ohaldea Indeed, the clumsy hand of man would have de- assembled to worship the emblem of the Great Spirit. stroyed its loveliness and blighted its flowers. It On its lofty summit the holy fire was kept perpetu- stood near the base of~the mountain, about equi- ally burning, streaming afa2~ over the valley and the distant from Nineveh and Ur, the former of which plains of Mesopotamia; and the traveler at night on was the residence of the great king of Assyria, the mountains of the east, or the far reaching plains whose ~alace was as rich and magnificent as the on the west, could discern the representation or em- country of which the city Qf Ninev~ 'was the me. blem of the olij~t of their Worship. Near its base, trop lis. This palace was situated in an open plaza in the garden, surrounded by an enclosure, was~ tl~~ ~i the center of the city, ~which was built on an area* 1 mystic tree and the holy ibuntain, with its sacred~ sixty miles in circumference, and surrounded by a cup, from which the king and priests drank in honor iy~a1l one hundred feet high, and so thick that three to the Sun. This fountain* was said to confer im- chariots could be driven abreast on its summit. On this wall were stationed, at proper distances, fifteen xn6~tality, and all who were permitted to enter the enclosure and partake of its waters, were considered ,~ ]rnudr~d towers, each of which was two hundred as consecrated to the Sun. feet high. The city was. au~~~on~g, extending along The inhabitants~ w~& mostly engaged in tilling th ~anks of the Tigris and l4ck to the mountains. the soil or occupied in the peaceful pursuits e~ a In days of its greatest prosperity~~ it contained pastoral life, with ,~he exception of the priests and about two hundred thousand sA~is. Besides the palace of the king, there were others of great extent those who were devoted to the study of Astrology. an4. magnificence, surrounded by parks and pleasure It was here that attention was, first paid to the study garde~s. of the stars, and from this point 'what knowledge the ancients had of Astronomy was spread throughout The city of Ur was located in a rural district, and Babylonia and Persia, and the countries of the east.

,1< 12 TH~ APROW~ QV V~ALPEA 9 WEBflVAL AT flI~kN~. 13 T~ the t~eautiful retreat in the valley, of ~Vhi~4 whither was he going.? What would become of w~ have already spoken, th~'citizeusof Nine'veh and him ?,were thoughts which Oame with overwhelming tir would frequently resort on festive oc~as~0n8. weight upon his mind4 Th p4de and beauty of Ninereli would Qften gather He had been among the favored few wh~ had eat the~e, and there youth and pleasure would meet to beneath the mystic tree; he had partaken oUthe join iw the sacred dance, and Eden on such 'occa holy cup, and was ranked among immorMls; but ~ons~~ould resound with the wild tumultuous ~oy alas! the draught satisfied not the longing f h1~ of the gathered throng. On the road winding down spirit. There was within an aching void which sun from the summits of the ~Tiyari, or along the path nor ~mopn nor stars' nor holr flame nor sacred fount across the plain, might be~een the young men and could fill.~ It was the yearning of the soul after an' maidens with joyous hearts and bright anticipations, immortality which the worship of fire and light urging tlaeir way to the pleasure bow~rs, could never impart. These were fit and appropriate On one of these occasions a youth from' Ur, tall emblems of the Great $pirit who' fills all space, and and graceful, with majestic mien' and thoughtful pervades immensity with his presence 'but' they ~ouiaten~nce, entered the gay throng. He~re~sided ~were only emblems, inanimate emblems of Him, "With h~s father, a renowned prie~t~of *e Sun, and Whose spirit wraps the dusky mountain ;~- devoted his time to the service of tE temple and Whose, spirit hovers o'er the 'fouxitain: the study of the stars. Often, while standing out While every nil and mighty river upon the observatory1 by night, has Jie~ gazed up ifltQ Flows mingling with his praise forever." the clear deep vault, above him, and, as hi~ large A~ 'such, they Were" inadequate to pour light ~nd black piercing eye would take, in its geld of vi~io~ comfort into his soul. the Qrbs of light that glittered in, the outsprend In this state of mind he had resolved that he ~a~py, his spirit would wh~per t~ him "and are would attend the approaching festival at Eden. th~&thy gods?" ~,How often does the unrest and disquiet of the Onca, while lost in thoughtf4 reveries in regard soul prompt its possessor to go in 'quest, alas 'often,~ to the Sabien worship and its gods; he w~s more too vainly, of that which it cannot find at home. ~Juau usually sa4 at tha dreadful unee#tainty which There is a desolateness, whi~h attends the weary r~sze4 upon hi~ #zind in regard $~ hi* nature and spirit in its wanderings over the trackless waete~ destiny. When~e~ came he ! - what was be ! ~-. like the dove of Noah ifl quest of a kindred bower

L

Ad 4

THE FESTIVAL AT EDEN. 15 14 %HE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. "Ab," said he,, "it is ever thus with my bright- in which to nestle, that only those realize who have est VisiOtiB and fondest hopes. Just when been conscious of the~ wilderness around them, I seem t~ grasp and feel their power to bless and save, like the though in the midst of crowding, pressing, gain, mirage in the desert, they are gone; like the me.- and pleasure-seeking thousands. On the evening previous to his departure, he had teor's flash they disappear, and leave my soul in darkness.~, been out to his grotto for the purpose of engaging in Turning in the direction of the temple he said~: his evening meditations and worship. It was a night "Yonder burns the only light th~t does not exRir~. of vernal beauty. The full-oThed moon rose bright The moon and stars all have their time of departure, over the Tiyari mountains, and sheds her soft and and leave the world to darkness and myself; silvery light on the temple of blaek gi'anite, and but thou dost burn on, holy light. 0, that thou wast seemed ev~ii to mellow the glare of the holy fire on not ~f man's kindling. Even the sun, the great god its swumit. The noise and bustle of Ur was left of fire, only has its day, as moon and behind, as Abram "the elevated," for such was the stars have their night, but day and night thy vestal fires as- meaning of his name in the Aramean tongue, entered cend, and burn on forever. Can it be," said the his grotto. Taking his seat, he turned to ~the east, youthful devotee, "that these are my creator; that and fixing his eyes upon the god of light, he ex- the mountain and river and valley, and trees and claimed, "Divine Creator, the manifest ~Deity and beasts and birds and reptiles are the work of their Savior, let thy be~ms illumine my soul and guide hands? If so, why do they not impart happiness thou me by thy. sacred influences." to their worshippers, and why does death come to Then turning to the west, he beheld the evening man? King and priest and worshipper alike have star hanging just over 'the horizon. "Behold," gone down to the chambers of the dead. They re- sai&he to himself, "the God and Lord of my des- turn no more to greet us with their smiles, and tiny. Brightest and best of all the stars of ~iight, cheer us with their presence. 0, my friends! guide thou my steps, nor let my feet wander in dark- where are they?" he exclaimed with the deepest ness. emotion. As he gazed and adored the God of his destiny, In an agony of grief he sank to tii>~ earth, and his and was wrapt in inte~s~ thought, behold ! alas I the sad and desolate heart poured forth it~ sorrows. He ~tar of his worship and fate sank below the line thought of his former companions and the one most separating earth and sky, and was lost to his vision. t) 16 THE ASTROLOGER OF OHALDEA. TH~ FESTIVAL AT EDEN. 17 de~~r to his het~rt, whose presence always cheered cept occasionally, as a swan of snowy whiteness~ the light ~f whose ealm blue eye filled him would glide' among the water lilies. with ~uoh wild delight, as she would gaze upon him Presently the blast of a trumpet is heard echoing when they met; and whose mysterious disappear~ through the bowers, and the assembled group start aiwe from Eer native bower, was more like a terrible to their feet, for they know it is the herald's signal dream than a dread reality. Ah, where was she? of the royal approach to Eden. Guards ai~e stationed e i~Iol of hi~ heart. "Alas, that neither beauty at the entrance of the royal bowers, and as there waa ~odness, nor intense devotion to the gods, no need of strewing flowers, for nature had already! *o~kld save from the relentless power of death." scattered them in thick profusio~i along his path, the While hi~ mind was thus tossed ~s upon a sea of king and hi~ royal escort were greeted by the "all tumultuous passions, the night passed iiway. The hail," of the n~ultitude. god of light had hid himself behind the western The royal t~quipage exceeded any thing that had mountains, and the god of fire was rising over the ever before been beheld. The king was dressed in Tiyari as he entered the gate of Ur to make prepa. the most gorgeous apparell. *Apurple robe, elabo. rations for his departure. rarely ornamented and richly embroidered with gold At an early hour the city was astir, and the aged and precious stories, enveloped his person. A massy and the young were busily engaged in getting ready crown of gold, decorated with gems, encircled his for the., journey to Eden. A deputation of priests brow, and in his hand he held. the royal scepter. was sent from the temple of Ur to conduct the sa- The chariot in which he rode, was made of the cred ceremonies, as the nobility of Nineveh with richest wood from the far off mountains of Lebanon, their horses and chariots, together with a large inlaid with ivory and gold. The horses were richly multitude, were expected to be present on the occa- caparisoned 'and were led by eunuchs whose e : color indicated the country of their nativity. TWO Eden smiled in all its vernal bloom. The sacred of these were on either side of the royal person, bowers never looked lovelier, while the whole atmos~ holding sacred fans as sun-sc~reens. Then followed phere was redolent with fragrance , as the pilgrims in the procession the princes and nobility of Nineveh, from Ur entered the spacious arbors and reclined in all arrayed ~j/a style suited to the occasion. the refreshing shade. The embowered lake was It was the aubual grand festival of the Sun, and oalm and not a ripple was seen upon its surface, ex- all having arrived, even th~ dwellers from Tiy~ri, 2.

4 THE 4$TL~OLOGER ON' CHALt~EA. THE FESTIVAL AT EDEN% 19 iud the ma~i from the vale of Ispahan, the ~riest~ tam announced by the blast of their trumpet the engaged in making preparations for the morning rising of the god of fii~ in the distant east. The orison, by the erection of an altar, the consecration ~ sleepers were awakened, and soon all was life and of the sacred tree, and the formation of the mystic activity in the Encampment of Eden. The tents eirole. were struck, folded and borne away, and the song The youUg astrologer had never been here before. of the priests summoned all to the cir~re. A mes- lie had frequently witnessed similar ceremonies in senger dove was perched upon the sacred tree, that the temple at Ur, but not with the same attendant s~ soon as the beams of the sun should strike its pompous circumstances; and anxious as he was to top, it mi~ht:fl~to the altar, and thus give to the find the true light, or something~ t~t uld satisfy priests th~$~n4of the approach of their god. the longings of his soul, and solve the ~bts which All ey~~weie fastened~ upon the dove, which gathered in darkening folds around iA~ in regard to could be seek from the outer edge of the circle, his destiny, he took a lively and all-absorbing in$- nestled on the topmost branch. Another blast fiom rest in the preparations that were going on. When the trumpet, and all voices were hushed as if by the night came, ~he returned to the edge of the bower, stillness of death. Soon the dove was seen to spread where, unobstructed by the trees, he ~could gaz~ its wings for flight; its eyes had caught the rays of upon .th~ moon and stars, and sigh out his spirit in the sun, and gently descending to the altar, the prayers to those emblems of the gods of his fathers. torch lighted at the holy fire on the temple of the The ~rst gray streaks of morning wete stinging the Sun in Ur, was applied to the victim, and instantly tops of the adj~enPmountaill~ as he rose from his the priests fell on their faces, and the multitude tent and sallied f~i< o look upon the scene around bowed in adoration, while all ~Avoked the blessings *z. All was qviet. The large pavilion of Nine- of their god, as the sn~oke and flame of the sacrift eh'~ proud king and princes occupied the center ascended upwards from the altar. ~1 the encampment; while ranged around at regular Again and again the priests prostrated themselves, intervals were the tents of the multitude. The tent exclaiming, "Great is the Sun, the source of light of the priest~ was~pitched within the mystic circle, and hifa 'to all mankind," to which all the people which also enclosed the altar and the sacred tree. responded "Selahd" While he wandered and gazed upI~n these scenes, Not ~i1, for there was one who stood iu that groi1~ morning advanced, and the watchers from i~he moun" transfixed. He did not speak. He did net bow his FESTIVAL AT EDEN. 21 20 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. THE knee. His eyes were fastened on some object only young and beautiful princess who h~id taken so much visible to him in the distant heavens. He was mo interest in his fate., In that gaze there was a recog- tionless as a statue, and had it not been for the kind.. nition, and then a long embrace: the loved and lost hug fire of his dark lustrous eye, and the smi~ of wa~~ found. inimitable sweetness which overspread like a glory Sarai, the princess, for thus meaneth her name in his countenance, all would have supposed him dead. the language of Chaldea, the betrothed of Abrai~, The young astrologer, for he it was who was thus had mysteriously disappeared from Ur, and she had exciting the attention and wonder of the multitude, been mourned a~ dead. For 1~er rare beauty she could not be diverted fro~7his gaze. Some thought had been abducted, and taken to the palace of the he' was smitten by the Sun, and that t~ god of fire king, to be pJ2~ced among the maids of honor in the had marked him for his own. To all' entreaties he cowrt of Nineveh. was deaf. There he stood, fixed an4 motionless, To her he had a right,.-if you please, a pre- g~zin~ up into the clear deep blue of that As~yrian emption right, which no king or potentate could set sky. aside. Next to her God who claimed her as her At this juncture a young princess from the court creator, he claimed her as having the earliest and of Nineveh, o~ slender form, richly attired, holding choicest' affections of her heart. Love had united' in her hand an alabaster vase of the most costly them, and the Great Spirit had sealed the bond perfume, glided softly up to the stranger as if fearful which made them one forever. of awakening him, yet with that intent she gently The stranger, or rather the young astrologer and touched him, and placing the vase to his nostrils, the princess, soon separated, the latter returning to she hoped to awaken him to conscioTusness,. Find- her company , and the former to his gaze, but not ~g this would ~~ot do, she commenced singing- with that intense fixedness which had before eharae~ "Wake, brother, wake, the day has come, terized it. Enough,~had passed between them, how- he god of fire has left his home; ever, in the short space in which they were together, Wa1~e, for the morning sacrifice to make all arrangements necessary Tor a re-union. Will glad thy heart and cheer thine eyes." But what fixed the gaze of the young astrologer? Thq charm was broken, the spell was dissolved, What potent spell bound him to that spot so com- and the averted head gradually and gently turned pletely absorbing his spirit, and kindling such rap- until the eyes of the astrologer met the gaze of the tures in his heart? Had he found the object of his THE FESTIVAL AT EDEN. 23 22 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. worshippers of the sun, moon, and stars. Their RliXiQuS search-the satisfying portion of his 'soul; religion was a system of astrology,~by which they that he should lose t o and was it an apprehension claimed to know with the greatest' exactness, by to turn again long sought prize, that prompted him means of the aspect and combination of the stars to Ths gaze in the heavens as quickly as the na~1o and planets, what would be the genius, temper, of turns to its pole, when the disturbing influences manners, eveijts of life, and destiny of all whose the magnet are withdrawn? birth was noted. T~e expanse of the firmament, and' Yes, that object for which his spirit longed according to this systenr, was divided into twelve on which he had sought by night and by day, equal parts, denominated the signs of the' zodiac. grotto, had at mountain and in vale, in temple and These tWelve equal parts possessed attributes pecu- found, and all the chambers 'of his soul last been liar to themselves, such as wealth, honor, and dis- with unutterable joy and rapturous were filled tinction. The planets were divided into the propi- delight. tious, the malignant, and the mixed, and those who god of fire that had riveted his It was not the werc born under these stars were born to a destiny in that cloudless sky, there shone attention. Far up partaking of the nature of the stars which presided sun. a light and glory above the brightness of the over their birth. that to the young as~ So intense was the splendor, In the sacred writers we find allusions in reference dim. It was a rev~- trologer th~ sun himself grew to -the influence of the stars, which ~wou1d lead one of the Great Spirit, the Divine Shekinah,-a i&tion to infer that the astrology of the Chaldeans was a of the Go4 of Heaven, the Creator, of manifestation prevailing sentiment among all the oriental nations, stars, whose power dissolves the sun, moon and and to ~oine extent at least, gave a tinge to the of Orion, gives to the infinences of The Plei bands thougl4s of the patriarchs and prophets of olden and guides Ar~turus ~writh his ades their charm, time. In the Old Testament, the patriarch and to his satellites. That glory was a divine afflatus prime minister of t1~e' courL of Egypt, Joseph, in and as he gazed,' deep upon the tablet of his soul, pronouncing a blessing upon Jacob, pptnted to the indelibly the image of the In- heart was stamped star of his 'destiny. The patriarch and prince of visibk One- Uz referred to the influence of Orion and Pleiades, is darkness in the abyss "Whose throne and urged upon his counsellors to w~wship the god Of untreated. light." 'of "the Seven Stars and Orion." The proud mon- The Chaldeans, Babylonians, and Persians were THS ASTR0L0G~R 0)' CI~ALDZA., ~SS FESUVAL AT ~D5N. ~'oh of Israel, though not a worshipper of the stars, there was nothing malignant in its aspect. In yet paid a most profound attention to their study~, ~searching the ancient predictions they found it to ~d through the works of God, bowed in humbl~ answer to the Shiloh of prophecy, whose coming ~49ration before the throne of their Creator. In. had long been looked for, and formed a part of the ie~erring ~to the protection and defense of the ser- traditions of the East. Sacred history informs us vants of God, he declared that the "sun should not that the magi followed this star, and it led them to 8i~iit~ t1~n by day nor the moon by night;" £nd one the very spot where the king of the Jews was born. of Zion's sweetest minstrels sang of the sure pro- It was, in the language of Astrology, the star of ihis te~tiou of those who worshipped the God of heaven, destiny. in strains like the following :~ The Persians adored th~ Sun, and through their "No damp shall blast thy couch by night, no star priests and magi, kept up a perpetual worship by Dart its malignant fires so far." means of a perpetual fire which they kept burning The descendants and successors of the magi thou- on their altars in temples dedicated to that orb. san4a of'~yea~s afterwards, while engaged in their When the gQd of day first gilded the east with his astrQlogicaJ labors in predicting the fate of kings rising beams, as the eye caught them, the profound- and nations by the position and motio~i of the ~stars, est veneration was paid to him as the source of all were startled in tbefr nightly contemplation by the their blessings. To him they dedicated a magnifi" strange and sudden a~pearax~ce of a new star which cent chariot, With horses of the ~greatest beauty and crossed the field of their vision. As they gazed value. The same ceremony was performed by the upon its clear bright disc, and felt the soft myste- Chaldeans and l3abylonians, and we learn from the rious influence of ita rays, thoir minds were~ filled Sacred. Record that some of the kings of Judah in. with wonder and delight. It wa0 the re~a~~rance trodu~e& the ceremony into the very precincts of of a light which ~had come to the Jewish 1#w-giver the Temple of Jehovah; aAd the rites were kept up on floreb and Sinai, ai~4 which subsequently filled until Josiah ascended the throne. The Script the T~bernacle in th~ wilderness and the Temple at inform us that Josiah "took away the horses that Jer~iwalem with a glory never seexi by mortal eye the kings of Judah had given to the Sun, at the since the cherub stood with flaming sword to guard entering in of the house of the Lord. by the chamber the gate~ at ancient Eden. The magi looked upon of Nathanmele~h the chamberlain:', which was in the celestial. visitant as a harbinger of good, for the suburbs, and burnt the chariots of the Sun with THE ASTROLOGER OF CIIALDEAS THE FESTIVAL AT EDEN. 27 fire. And the altars that were ~n the top of the learning, whether in religious or political matters, upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah tic to themselves and their families. had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made The great festival now being celebrated, was, as in the two courts of the house of the Lord, did the we have already seen, the annual festival of the Sun. king beat down and break them down from thence, It had commenced, and the god of the east had risen and cast them into the brook Kedron." Sometimes and b14~ssed with his beams the opening sacrifice. they sacrificed oxen to this god, who was very much But a more important and imposing sacrifice re- known amongst them by the name of Mithra. They mained yet to be performed. The sun was mounting also paid a particular veneration to fire, the embleni up the sky and was gradually approaching the zenith of their go~d~ invoking it first in their sacrifices, aiid in his fiery car. Preparations were made for the carrying it before their kings in all their marches, great sacrifice. In another part of the grove and intrusting the keeping of the sacred emblem which joining the mountain ridge, was constructed of stone came down from heaven to their priests or magi, a huge altar, on the near side of which was an in- who would have regarded it as the greatest disaster clined plane sufficiently wide for three horses to pass which could befall them if they suffered it to expire. abreast upon it. Oi~ either side of the way and History informs us that the emperor Heraclius, when around the summit, were placed a great quantity of at war with the Persians, demolished several of their dry wood, rendered highly inflammable by having temples, and extinguished the sacred fire which had horses devoted to been preserved until that time, which caused great been immersed in bitumen. Tl~ the sacrifice were those brought by the king of Kin- lamentation and~ mourning throughout the entire eveh. They were more richly attired than ever, and nation. The magi or priests were the guardians of garland~ed with flQwers they were led forth by the all the ceremonies relating to the fire wqr~hip, and magi and 4iarnessed to a chariot of cedar the most it was to them the people looked fox' instruction gold, silver, and therein, and from them they derived a knowledge elaborately carved, and inlaid with these preparations ivere. of the particular days for the worship of their gods, precious stones. While as well as the particular manner of sacrifice to be going on, interesting as was the scene, there was offered to them. As the magi were all of one tribe, another subject which absorbed the thoughts of the' and that was the appearance and as none but the son of a priest could aspire to assembled thousands, the honor of the priesthood, they kept all their mys- of the chosen ~one of the Sun who should guide the horses and chariot of fire. In secret conclave the *

28TH~ ASTROLOGFAR OF GHALDEA. magi had made the selection from among the young priest~, and Abram was the chosen one. The hour arrived.. Every eye was turned in the CHAPTER II. directici*i of the mystic circle, and soon was seen 4 issuing therefrom a solemn procession, headed by the priests, who heralded the way for the approach 4 ROYAL FESTIVAL AT NINEVEH. of the young astrologer. He was elad in scarlet, THE sacred festival at Eden was ended, th~ king wit~,a crown upon his head, on the golden bands of and his nobles with the multitude had i~eturned to which werb represented the transit of a star over the Nineveh. The fire worshippers from thewnountain, blazing disc of the sun. Calm and thoughtful, but the astrologers from Persia, and the priests from TJr, with firm and steady. step, he ascended the chariot had left the mystic circle, the sacred altar, and the and took the reins of the ~EQry steeds who were consecrated bower, and had returned to their res- prancing to be gone. The faggots were kindled on pective homes, more than ever impressed with a the altar, and the smoke atid fiame~ rose up the side sense of the greatness and glory of their fire-god. of the mountain. Hemmed in by the living ram- As the young astrologer journeyed thoughtfully parts on either side, the horses dashed furiously up along, one of the high priests of the temple ac- the ascent of the burning altar, and soon were lost costed him. to sight amid the flames which fiercely flashed "Abram, my son, didst thou find peace and hap- around. The horses passed through the fire, but ere in the sacred bower?"~ they reached the summit of the mountain they fell "No, father," rejoined Abram, "not in the sacred blackened with death. Abram alone~ passed un- bower, nor from the sacred tree nor holy altar, nor scathed amid the flames, and when the multitude 4 yet from the bright face of the god of fire/' beheld him returning in triumph from the fiery or- ~" Whence then the radiance of thy countenance, deal, they looked upon him as the child of the Sun, which shone with such brightness on. the. festal day, and there went up the shout of thousands in honor and which even now is overspread with sunlight of his name. joy?" .4 "0, holy father, F saw a form you could not see, whose glory outshone the sun, and in whose radiancg the moon and stars would f~4e away into the dark- 5 29 30OYAL TUEASTROLOGER FESTIVALor OHALDEA. AT NINEVEU. 31 ness of midnight. It was a m~uifestation of the stars, has at last come to my possession. Call it a Great Spirit, by whom the sun and mo9n and stars delusion if you may, but the happiness I sought at were made, the great first cause, himself causeless last I have found." because unbegotten, the God over all and blessed "Will ~Abram forsake the gods of his fathers, forever.~~ whom all Assyria, Babylonia and Persia worship, <" Did he speak to tbee, n~r son?" to follow this strange light which has so bewiidefed "Not in words of many speaking, holy father. his brain? Will he turn away from the holy fire I heard no~ voice; but from that radiant glory there and daGh the sacred cup from his lips?" came a ~n1~sterious spirit language which my soul "Nay, holy father, I but return to thei~p~ship of understood. 0! the rapture of that hour. My soul the one living and true God, which our fathers was filled with most ecstatic bliss, and I knew it was adored beyond the great flood, bitt whose glory was the Great Unknown who appeared to me." obscured and shut out from the sin..darkeued vision ~' Ah, my son, I fear it was an optical illusion of their descendants. This God they once I~new, pzpduced on thy fevered imagination, a mere hallu~ but not liking to retain his knowledge, their foolish cination of thy mind, caused by the fire god, who imaginations became darkened and they turned loves to bewilder the senses of his devout worship- aside to the worship of the creature instead of the pers. Thy deep thoughtfulness and seclusion for Creator. The stars are but the stepping places up many days before the sacred festival, of which II to his glorious throne, and the sun and moon but have heard so much, has so wrought on thy nervous- lamps to illumine th~ way." ness as to exalt thy imagination beyond the range of "Thus saying, thou assumes a knowledge and ~ober reflection." authority beyond thy years. Go, my son, and learn "Nay, father, I am fully persuaded of what I from the records of the temple that it is not given saw, and I know by direct inwar4 ~onsciousness to youth to sp~k thus condemningly of the religion that God, the God of heaven, has appeared to me. of their country and kindred, but in all subjection The vision of thG temple is realized, the star of my to learn obedience to the powers that be, ordained destiny has risen to go down no more forever. Joy, of the sun, and observed by all the kings, priests, joy, fQrever! What for long years I sought, with and astrologers of the realm'." a devotion you well know, ho father, in the adora- So saying, he left him, and they continued their tion of the sun and the ~aoon, ,and the study of the journey. $

THE A5TROWO~L O~ CHALD~A. RQXAL FESTIVAL AT NINRV~H. 33 The events of the last f~w days had filled the mind with passionate fondness, the change which had of the young astrologer with profound emotion~s. come upon him, and the deep and powerful emotion Th~ wild and restless sea of thought had been which it excited, was far more absorbing tha~i the calmed; by a power above all the influences of the lore of magic or the sublime study of the stars. gods of Assyria; even transcending the secret rites Before, he could only dimly trace the footprints of of the priests in the temple of Ur, or the more mys.. the great Unknown in the earth and the heavens; serious ceremonies of the magicians in the temple now he realized his presence and his power, and felt of Belus at Babylon. The great ~Yreator had re- that he lived and moved in the great source of light vealed himself, and his all-pervading presence had and life, concerning whom filled his mind with a peace tranquil as heaven and sun itself was but his shade." boundless as eternity. Before, he looked through nature vainly hoping to Though he no longer gazed upon the sun and find God; now, he looked through God upon nature, moon *&nd stars as his gods, yet they never seemed and the sun and moon and stars, and the earth, he half so lovely in his sight. He looked upon these saw to be the work of his hands. bright orbs, but as the creatures of AJehovah, and Under such a happy transformation he returned the reflections of his wisdom and poiv~er, forming a to his father's house at Ur. It was net long until bright pathway vp to his glorious throne on high. he made Terah, for that was his father's name, ac- He was no longer left to spell out darkly in the quainted with the wonderful vision he had at Eden. works of nature his uncertain destiny, for revelation It is said, "the heart knoweth its own bitterness, had given him a key by i~rhich all the mysteries in and strangers intermeddle not with its joy." His creation and providence wore unlocked, and their father, though a priest of the temple, did not know most intricate and difficult problem~ were solved. the disquietude and anxiety which brooded over the He wa~ not left to infer his immoi~tality from the mind of his di~t~iful and affectionate son. He had fact that he had entered the mystic circle and par- frequently chided him for his unrest and the oter- taken of the holy cup, but he iblt the new eternal zealous devotion which had recently characterized life welting up from the deep fountains of his un his nocturnal studies. He saw that the vigils which sealed nature, and spreading rapture through all the he kept were making fearful inroads upon his frame, eham>ers of his ~soul. Deeply versed as he was in all of which were read in the pale cheek and trem- the occult sciences, the study of which he pursued bling hand, but he knew nothing of the anxious 3 $4 54- WUS A8TROL9~1~ QV OHALDEA. 1~0YAL FESTIVAL ~AT NIKEVEHO thoughts aid gloomy fears that drank up his spirits. sparks of thine own kindling, and not rejoicing Deep in his own heart he hid his sorrows, which, under the inspiration of what thou tallest the Great like ~ worm in the bud of a beautiful flower, was Spirit. Others have been smitten by the sun and working death to his expanding hopes. Sorrow moon, and thy strange furor may lave been occa- shuns the world's cold gaze and courts retirement, sioned in the same way. Were it so 1 would rejoice, and as the~ stricken deer seeks its native bower to for whom the gods of fire and light love; are often bleed and die, so Abram had sought his grotto and thus entranced." spent whole nights in solitude and prayer. The father was evidently as much a stranger to Now that the night of his darkness and sorrow the elevation of miiid enjoyed by the son as he was was ~ast and the day of his joy had come, filling of the sou1~oe whence it emanated, and hence could him with brighter visions than ever came to him iu not enter into his feelings -or partake of his joy. It his happiest dreams, he would make others partake was a new and' strange development, and as there of his joy. did not seem to be any abberratioin of mind in regard Into that father's anxious ear did he pour the tides to ~other subjects, ~but rather, if any thing, an in-~ '~of his full and joyous heart. Terah looked sad, for creased clearness and strength of intellect, connected he feared that much study had deranged the mind with a quietude and peace to which the father knew of his dearest ~hild. To avoid this dreaded result he had been a stranger for some months past, the he had sent him away with the young priests and whole thing was invested with a mystery which the ~strok~gers to Eden, that amid the gay throng that aged priest and magician was unable to solve. would gather there, and the exciting scenes of the To the patriarch it was a new manifestation, a sacred festival of the sun, his mind might recover new religion, for ever since Caiz~. was driven from its wanted tone, that thus restored he might be the the face of the Lo~'d at the place of worship on the 8ame joyous youth he ii~as in other days. east of Eden, where stood the cherubim and the "Why does sadness cloud my tether'~ brow? unfolding fire, had he and all his descendants turned Such happiness to thy ~on should' not make thee to the sun, and stretching out his hands, worshipped melancholy." God in that bright orb. So, in the days of Enos "Mi, my son," said the anxious parent, "if it and Seth and Tu6al Cain, did they worship theA were re~l happiness I could rejoice with thee, but I Great Spirit through the sun, and as the moon aftd fear With priest Benoni that thou art walking in the stars were placed on high to be the regulators of the 16 TUI~ A5TROI~9QE1I OJ' OHALD~A. ROYAL 1~'ESTIVAL AT NINEV~H. universe, were they also worthy of being praised land of Canaan, who was also called a prince of * and glorified, and they built temples to the stars, peace. While dwelling upon these reflections he and looked 'up adoringly to the host of heaven. became more than ever interested in the wonderful To the mind of Terah, however, there wa one recital of his son. thought which seemed like a forgotten dream re- "Can it be," said he to himself, "that God will vived by the singular~ experience of his son. He appear and make himself known to mortals. Cah had heard of a chosen few among his ancestors of the ineffable light and glory be so veiled as to be whom it was said they were taken into the secret seen by human eyes? Surely none by searching counsels of the Gi'eat Spirit, and that they refused can find out the Almighty; and if any are thus fa- to worship the hosts cf heaven. The names of vored, it must be by divine- man~festatiQns." these illustrio~ patriarchs were Enoch, Methuselah, What was hidden from the father and the aged Noah, Shem, and Eber, the former of whom had priests and astrologers, and was lost amid the cor- particularly special interviews with God, walking ruptions of Assyrian worship, was revealed and and talking with him face to face as man would hold restored to the son. Being unable to convince his converse with his fellow man, and who was finally father and the priests of the temple, of the reality carried away, soid and body, to the grand council of the wonderful revelation, Abram sought his of heaven. wanted retirement in the grotto, and held commu- Ancient tradition informed him, that years after nion ~Ath the Father of his spirit. the translation of Enoch, the patriarch Noah and A grand festival was to be held at Nineveh, in his family were preserved in an ark from the great honor of her proud and mighty king. Weeks were flood which destroyed the rest of mankind. He had spent in making preparations, which were on the also heard of ~Job, a priest and prince of great wealth most magnificent scale. To this brilliantfete, princes and influence in. Arabia, who, in answer to those and nobles from Babylon, with priests and astrolo- that called in question his integrity, said "If I be- gers from Ur, and the magi frofti Ispahan, were in- held the sun when it shined~or the moon walking in vited. Expectation was raised to its highest pitch, brightness, and my heart hath been secretly enticed, and all anticipated the rarest enjoyment. or my mouth hath kissed my hand, I should have The invitatkrn extended to ~he astrologers of~Ur denied the God that is above." He had heard also would of course include the young and gifted Abram, of a mysterious priest who dwelt at Salem, in the and he contemplated th~e visit with no ordinary de- TIlE ASTROLOGER OF OHAIdDEA. J~OYAL FESTIVAL AT NINEVEJI. pee Qf pleasure, as it would afford him not Qnly an The~ Bight of the observatory at Babylon occa- opportunity to see the vast metropolis of Assyria, sioned a lengthy discussion among the astrologers and furnish him. an occasion for becoming acquainted and priests in regard to the recent discovery which with its astrologers, but the hope was strongly in- had been madei.n the planetary world. The. chief dulged that perchance he might meet the idol of his astrologer of Babylon had discovered a new gtar, heart, his beloved Sarai, to whom he had already which posse~ed a form and shone with a dazzling lighted his vows, and whom at Eden he had prom- brilliance different from any ~which had been found ised to visit whenever opportunity should present. in the astrological annals. It assumed ever and The journey was to be accomplished by water, anon mysterious forms, now r~4iating an intense ~tnd boats were prepared for that purpose. Every brightness, and then, as if unable to supporvits thing being in readiness, and the time having arted, splendor, fading away until its light was like that the party embarked, and ~the fleet being loosed from of another star. An account of it had been written its moorings at the quay, gently glided down the out and sent to the king and the various astrologers Tigri8. in Babylonia and Ohaldea, but as yet none were able The scenery along the banks, always beautiful, to give it a name, or decipher its meaning. It presented at this season of the year a peculiarly seemed to have taken the place of the lout Pl~ia4,' attractive appearance. The valley on either side, one of the holy seven. spread out in gentle undulations, was covered with While engaged in these speculations the time plants andflowers of every hue. The grass and passed quickly and pleasantly away, abd1h~ boats shrubs which skirted the margin of the river down neared the place of their destination. to the water's edge, made the stream appear in its At length on the eve of the grand festival,~ the meanderings to ilow through beds of living green. walb and towers of Nineveh appeared in view. It On the west, far over the magnificent plains of was approaoljiing the noon of night ~n the seco~4 Mesopotamia, the dim outlines of the huge tower of day after th~ ir departure from Ur, as they neared Belus, with its astronomical observatory, surmounted the gates of the proud capital which opened from by the colossol silver statue of Jupiter Amn~on, the east and west. The lights which streamed out ~ouid be seen as it were sculptured on the deeR blue from the fifteen hundred lofty towers ~ii the walls, of the sky. On the east rose the lofty summits of ~..iseemed to the approaching company like a rast cir~1e the Tiyari, covered with trees and hetbage. of burning stars hung around the city. 4J~ TH~ ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. ROYAL FESTIVAL AT NINEVEE. IIa$~ig followed the course of the ~tream to the these colossal figures, and between the out~ and Western sid0 of the city, the party left their boats inner face of the gateway, were two chambers an& entered the outer gates which opened upon the seventy feet long and twenty-three feet wide.-. bank of the river. Within, the city was illuminated. Beyond the first gate were two others, guarded by Multitudes could be seen strolling through the plea- human headed bulls and winged lions. After as- sure gardens, while in many a palace as they passed cending several terraces, by means of flights of steps on their ~way they witnessed brilliant illuminations, made o immense squared stones, flanked with but- and heard the joyous shout of the gay revelers as tresses, on which at regular intervals were colossal they tripped to the notes of sackbut and harp, dub human headed lions and bulls, the party reached the cimer and viol. Every heart seemed wild with joy propykeum at the foot of a wider and more magnifi- at the arrival of the grand festival. cent flight, composed of alabaster slabs elaborately As they approached the king's palace, rising from sculptured with many a curious design. On a mon- terrace to terrace, a scene of magnificence buxst olith, at the base of this flight, were placed two upon their view) grand beyond description. This immense lions whose fierce aspect, as they stood stately edifice occupi~U a large square in the center revealed in the light of thegrand hall above, struck * of the city. It stood on an elevated platform, and terror to the minds of those who were unaccustomed had two grand entrances, one on the east, looking to gaze upon such grim colossal guards. The pro'. out on the mountains, and the other on the west, pylaeum was covered witi square slabs of' alabaster, overlookil~g ~he Tigris and the vast plain of Mesopo- pure and white, ornamented with the most rich and. * tamia. The immense gateway formed by a pair of beautiful sculptures. At the grand entrance hall, human headed bulls, fourteen feet long, wearing a which was arched and supported by immense pillars, lofty head dress richly ornamented with rosettes stood two enormous human headed sphinxes,~while a edged with a fringe of feathers, opened, as we on either side in the wall were sculptured hu hav~e already seen, to the west. ~The entrance form- headed winged lions and bulls; next to which w~e ed by these colossal bulls was fifteen feet wide. It six human figures of gigantic proportions. was paved with large slabs of limestone, To the Passing the grand portal they found themselves right and left stretched away the waIls and lofty in an immense hall, hundreds of feet in, length and toVers of the city. Through this gateway a eon- breadth, and rising up from columns to a great tinued stream of human life was passing. Behind height~ The roof was flat, and that part of it im- THE ASTROLOGER OF OHALDEA, ROYAL FESTIVAL AT ~fXNSVEfI. 43 the hall was conse~ media y over t~he center of * princes, pests and astrologers of Assyr On orated tGthe priests, where they kept thQ holy fire this night he was attired in a style of gorgeous burning day and night, and offered up their sacri~ magnificence. Long loose sacrificial robes of the ficeg to the hosts of heaven. This place could be richest purple, highly ornamented with crescents by a circular reached from the different entrances and stars of gems and gold, and edged with tassels stairway. Around this hall were three others on an and fringes, surrounded his person. Oti this occa~ equal scale of magnificence though not of the same sion the king wore a conical shaped tiara or crown immense size. Above and adjoining these were on his head, somewhat resembling the mitre of a chambers spread out in every direction, amounting high priest, ornamented with crescents and stars of to seventy in number, the floors and walls of which gold and gems so arra~ng~ed as to represent the con- ware composed of alabaster, sculptured like those stellations. Round his neck were )~ung the four of the grar~d hall. The ceilings were finished with sacred signs, the crescent, the star, the bident, and Horeli a~ud cedar from Lebanon, acacia wood from the horned cap. In front of the throne, on the ala~ Sinai, and fir from the Tiyari. Surrounding the faster pavement, was sculptured a crescent in the whole immense pile were columns of white granite midst of a many rayed star representing the sun and supporting ~entahlatures richly ornamented with moon. Immediately in the rear of this was a table every Assyrian device. containing many sacrificial objects, and adjoining In .a recess formed by columns stood the throne was the holy altar on which burned the sacred flame. of the king upon an elevated platform. This throne ~ Around this in the rear '5toQd the priests in semi~ was supported by three rows of figures, one above circukLr form, arrayed in aacerdotal robes, while~ the other. The WOQd was most richly and elabo around the whole w~s inscribed the mystic circle. rately carved and inlaid with. gold and ivory. The * * * * * * * *~ * s of the throne ended in pine shaped ornaments. The midnight ceremonies of the grand festive ~er the high back was thrown an embroidered robe were being performed, and just as Abram atid ~js of the most rare and beautiful material. The foot- companions took their stations around the circle, the stool was of the most elegant form, and encased high priest from a burning censer lighted th~ sacred with gold, the legs ending in lion's paws. urn upon the altar, and elevating the consecrated On this throne was seated the proud m9P.arch of cup, blessed it, and presQnting it to the king, who Nineveh, and around him were th~thou~nds of the drank of its sa~i~ contents, it was passes aroux~4. among those within and those without the circle. 44 TIlE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. ROYAL FESTIVAL AT ~lNEVEIf. 45 ~ Tl~young astrologer ftom Ur did not partake of guage which is known and interpreted &nly~y the that cup. ll~ had pledged faith and obedience to spirit, at once became the medium of communication another God, and he could no more partake of an betweelL those loving hearts. idolatrous sacrament than he could worship the gods The sacramental service being~'eii4ed, the king for whom it was instituted. He had entered into rose Crom his throne and presenting his scepter, covenant with the God of heaven, and he could not every head was bowed to do him reverence, while a recognize the g6ds of Assyria as the objects of his shout went up from that vast assembly which rever- worship. berated through the ]ofty dome and was echoed from There was one in that vast and brilliant assembly the surrounding chambers, " 0 king I live forever." whose gaze was fixed upon the young astrologer from Then laying aside his scepter and touching his lips tke time he entered the hail. In an apartment dedi- gently in token of silence, every voice was hushed cated to the queen and the noble ladies of her court, and deep earnest attention sat on every countenance. which was somewhat elevated above the x~arble Addressing the listening throng, he said, floor and on a level with the throne, sat a young and "0, princes and rulers, priests, astrologers, and lovely princess, whose sad and thoughtful counte- magicians, my most worthy sex~vauts and safe-girnrds nance indicated the deep reverie of her soul. of Assyria, a new star has appeared, a new god has "Can it be," thought she, "that. Abram has re- taken his throne in the heavens, outshining Orion nounced the religion of our fathers? If not, why and the Pleiades, and to the chief astrologer Aram, it does he refuse the sacramental cup? But he seems seems even brighter than Venus, though far beyond to be troubled. A shade of sadness is on his brow. it~ orbit. It doubtless heralds the approach and ~ Would that I knew his thoughts. 0 that I could has marked the birth of some distinguished prince, spe~to him." or it may be some rival king. If any one c~ tell ~ While thus she mused with eyes intently fixed on me the sign of this star and what it meaneth in a~ the subject of her thoughts, Abram cast a glance at trilogy, his desire shall be~granted even to the richest the gallery, and as ey~ i~re~t eye in mutual recogni- province of my realm." tion, quick as the electric flash along the conducting It was a moment of intense interest, especially to medium, there was an intercommunion of soul. The every astrologer assembled there. The astrologers r~1ysterious affinity which bound their hearts together of Babylon, from the depths of whose astronomical annihilated the distance between i~iem, and that lan well the star had been discovered, had searched all THIROYALASTROLO~*ZR OFFESTIVALOHALDEA. AT NINEVEH. 47 the records in the temple of Belus, but, a~. before new appearance by mysteriously robing itself in remarked, unable to solve the mystery of the strange garmebts of fire. The meaning of this he could appearance of the wonderful star, were dumb. The only conjecture or explain by the hypothesis that it eastern magi, whose deep astrological researches was ~ star of some prou& monarch's destiny, and its caused them to vie with the astrologers of Assyria, conflagration and consequent final extinction indi- and the astrologer-s of Nineveh who had searched cated the ~'ate of a king and~~ise~pire. the chambers of record and had unrolled all the There, before the king and astrologErs, were the annals of antiquity, were alike unable to give a astronomical tables and legends of Babylon. The satisfactory answer to the king. astronomical records of Persia were also introduced, Abra~n had been to Babylon, and from the well embracing the researches made in India and China. and observatory of the temple had gazed upon the Before the king were the ancient annals of Ninevel~, mysterious orb. His intense devotion to the study but in none of them was to be found an answer or a of the science had secured for him a name and a clue to the solution of the royal question. All fame as an astrologer which extended beyond the acknowledged their inability to unravel the mystery circle of astronomers attached to the observatory in connected with the strange and wonderful star. his native city, and no sooner had Aram discovered At this crisis Abram gently advanced, and bow- the celestial visitant than he sent for the youthful ing courteously to the king, said in a tremulous astrologer. He was therefore perfectly aware of the voice, "0 king, live forever! To me it is given to interest its appearance had excited among all classes, answer thy question. The star is not a strange and from what he had learned, knew that it would messenger heralding the birth of a king or the inva- claim~ the attention of the king and court of Nineveh sion of a rival, but a star of destiny, whose fiery at t~ festival. To him the star bore a greater re- glare is a sign of desolation and final ruin. It is semblance to the blazing fire on the summit of the the 2dene, Alene, Tekel, of some doomed monarch temple of Ur, than to the soft luminous rays which and his empire." radiated from the other stars in the heavens. As At this announcement the eyes of the king, which the result of his observations he came to the con- until now had been riveted on the prophet-astrologer, clusion that it was not a new star; but from its posi- grew dim and glassy, his head fell upon his shoulder, tion, must be one belonging to the constellation in hi~ hands trembled, and a shudder passed over his which it was discovered, and that it~~only assumed a whole fran. 48 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. J~QY~L FESTIVAL AT NHiEVEH. After his emotion had somewhat subsided, he rose glide to and from her bower at eve beneath the Ml- from his throne, and extending his scepter to Abram, ver light of the moon, to worship the hosts of he8 exclaimed, yen; or at early morn, as with fixed a~nd steady eye "0 princes~ rulers, astrologers, and magicians, I sh~ would watch the rising Qf the go4 of %lr~ as his do now decree that Abram be constituted, by royal beams would first kiss the distant mountains. authority, the chief astrologer of my realm, inas- She was now away from her love& home, but happy much as he hath a wiser spirit than ye all." memories of other days ceased not to awaken the Then said he to Abram, "Ask, my son, what thou most pleasant associations. As a princess, she was wilt an& it shall be given to th&e, even to the half arrayed in a style of magnificence suited to her of my kingdom. The gods have given thee wisdom rank. A rich robe of crimson elaborately decorated above thy years, and thou shalt have whatsoever with gems, hung gracefully over her well rounded thou dost desire." shoulders. Darl~ glossy tresses fell in curls on her Every eye was now turned upon the young astrol- inclined neck of snowy whiteness. On her head was oger of Ur, ~and as the Archimagus or Grand Master a turban of the richest silk, in the center of whicli of Babylon advanced and delivered the jewels of his was a gold star radiated with diamonds. To the office to the king, who placed them with his own youthful astrologer she was a prize more valuable hands upon the person of Abram, every one in that than all the wealth and power and glory of Assyrh~. brilliant assemblage did him homage, while the as- Every eye was fixed upon the now young prince and trologers and magicians paid grand hon4s totheir princess, and as Abram took her by the hand and newly invested chief. When the ceremonies of in- led her to the mystic circle, in front of the throne, stallation were ended, the prophet-astrologer turned every heart partook of the general joy. Presenting with joyous and thankful heart;, and approached the her to the king, he said with a voice tremulous with young and beautiful princess who stood among the emotion, "0, king, I accept thy generous offer. I nobility of her sex a deeply interested spect~itor of ask not to be the i~uler of a-realm: I ask not wealth the scene. nor power; but I ask, as the betrothed of my heart, She was, as we have already remarked, a blue she who stands before you, my loved and long lost eyed maiden, of unusual beauty and symmetry of Sarai." form. Often did the young astrologers and priests "Thy desire is granted," said the king, and rising of her native city, Ur, gaze upon her ~as she would from his throne and joining their hands, he pro' 4 50 THE ASTROLOGER OF OHALDEA. bounced them husband and wife, in the name ~f the sun. Then embracing and kissing them, he added, "On Abram and Sarai may the gods of Assyria shed their mildest rays. May the stars of their des- CHAPTER IlL tiny never grow dim or expire.~~ Though the l~ig was evidently troubled, as the THE TEMPLE AT BABYLON. augiired no good to his des- interpretation of Abram THE ancient city of Babylon was located on the tiny and that of his empire, yet he ordere~rmusic plain of Shinar on the eastern and wester*banks of and dan~ ng. Flowers were strewn in thick profiP the Euphrates. It was laid out on a magnificent sion by fair hands, on the tesselated floor in front of scale, the streets crossing each other at right angles, the happy pair as they walked arm in arm among the and the river running through the center. The city joyous throng to receive their greetings. The sa- on each sid~e of' the river was enclosed by a high eyed dance, - for all the amusements of the Assy- wall, fifteen miles in length, niaking the entit'e cir- rians partook of a religious character, then began, cuit of the city about sixty miles of continuous and all, partook of the general joy, which ceased not wall. These walls were of the enormous thickness to reverberate through the halls of the palace until of eighty-seven feet, rising up to a height of three the rising of the god of fire ended the royal festival. hundred feet. They were pierced at regular inter- vals by a hundred gates of solid brass, each one of which was guarded by towers erected on the walls surmounting the gates. The wide straight streets extended through the city on a line with 'the gates. These streets divided Babylon into seventy-six squares, each of which was two miles and a quarter in circumference. These squares constituted sepa- rate villas, many of which were used as parks or

pleasure gardens, filled with trees and flowers. The& king's palace was erected on both sides of the river, the sepai~4e apartments of Which were connected by a bridge. One portion of the p~dace next to the 51

4. 52 52THE ASTROLOGER OF OHALDEA. THE TEMPLE AT BABYLON. 53 temple of Belus, was on the west side of the river. Jupiter, Juno, and Rhea. These statues were all of This was first erected, and denominated the old colossal proportions, that of Jupiter being forty feet palace; the new was on the opposite side of the high. Juno was represented as seated on a golden river, the enclosure and pleasure grounds of which throne, with lions at each knee, and two enormous covered a space of eight or t~n miles. In after serpents of silver. The statue of Rhea was on the years, this enclosure, history informs us was deco- left side of Jupiter. She was represented as grasp- rated with hanging gardens supported by voluted ing a serpent in her right hand, and a scepter en- pillars with elaborately carved capitals, rising from riched with gems in her left. Accompanying these terrace t~terrace, higher than the walls of the city. statues was a table of wrought gold, forty fee~t long The temple of Belus, at Babylon, was situated on and fifteen wide, on which were goblets 'and vases the eastern bank of the river Euphrates. This tem- of the most massy and elaborate workmanship. The ple occupied a square a quarter of a mile in extent, temple was filled with~ immense treasures, the wealth in the center of whi9h rose a tower six hundred feet of kings and conquered countries, and little did in height. The tower was pyramidal, and divided Abram think as he entered with his beloved Sarai at regular intervals into eight separate towers, rising the palace allotted to the chief astrologer, that the successively one above another, decreasing in dimen- time would come when his descendants would be sions to the summit, where there w~s an oratory captives in Babylon, and their most sacred treasures containing a couch, table, and other articles, all of would be deposited in that 'Very temple consecrated pure gold. Here the principal devotions were per- to idolatrous gods. formed. Immediately over this, on the highest He came not, however, to Babylon as a priest, but platform of all, was the astronomical observatory as an astrologer, and his relation to the king and by means of which, and the astronomic~d well ad-' court of Nineveh, of which Babylon was then a joining the tower at its base, and connected with province, Nineveh being the metropolitan city of the it by an underground passage, the astrologers ar- Assyrian empire, was not such as to require of him rived at such perfection in the science, that astro- either the acknowledgment or worship of the gods. nomical observations were kept dating back to within lie came With 'his young and beautiful princess to one hundred years of the flood. enter upon his duties as chief astrologer in the tem- On the summit of the topmost tower were three ple of Belus, not a~ a worshipper of the sun ~r moon, golden statues representing the c~lesf~4al deities, or stars, or Jupiter, Juno, or Rhea, but as a wor- 54 THE ~TR0LOGER OP CHALDEA. THE TEMPLE AT BABX~0~. 55 shipper of the God of heaven, of him who made the stars from its unruffled bosom, and the vast resei~ sun and moon and seven stars, and Orion and his voir beyond the walls seemed to the spectator likd~a wife had already embraced the same faith and wor- field of stars). so faithfully were the celestial orbs ship, and was illumined with the sani& holy light, mirrored in its waters. On the summit of that lofty and felt the same mysterious all-pervading power. tower rose the mighty statue of Jupiter, glistening We have not omitted the incidents connected in the rays of the moon. with his return from Nineveh to Ur, and the intense "How beautiful !" said Sarai, as she leaned excitement produced by his exaltation to the high against the balcony and gazed npon the scene. post of honpr conferred upon him, among hi0 kindred "Most beautiful," replied Abram thoughtfully. and the citizens of his native place, because there "Yonder nioon, walking majestically among the was nothing that would b~ interesting in the narra- glittering orbs that deck the brow of night, fitly tive, ~- far from it, but we have omitted their narra- represents the milder glory of Him who is brighter tion as we must many other things possessing and greater than the sun shining in his strength, equally thrilling interest and importance, though or the ~noon walking in her brightness and beauty, not essential to our history. and serves to lead the thoughts of man at evening Scarcely had the astrologer taken. possession of hour up to his glorious throne. Let us bow and his new home until another remarkable event oc- bless that God who hath formed all these bright curred in the history of his life, destined in its creations as exhibitions of his eternal power." results to have a more wonderful effect upon him So saying, the happy pair prostrated themselves thati any other. occurrence connected with his most before the God of heaven. From those pious hearts, eventful life. As the shadows of evening were strongly united by sympathy, there rose a deep and gathering around the city, and the stars one by one ardent devotion, and a strong faith, lively gratitude, were making their appearance in the sky, Abram fervent love, and ardent hope, all-pervading and and Sarai ascended the tower, and reaching the ora- powerful, took possession of their souls. Thus tory, they prepared to engage in their evening devo- absorbed, their spirits rose to high and glorious tions. They were far above the din and roar of the ~sympathy with the divine mind, and they held city, which stretched beyond the temple area on communion with the invisible One. The divine either side for miles up and down, on both sides of glory came over them, and there appeared the same the river. The Euphrates reflected the light of the manifestation that fell upon the vision of;Abrarn in U TH~ 8TUQLO~*ER QF GHALDEA. THE TEMPLE AT BABY~9N. 57 Eden. While thus entranced, a voice, soft and low returned to TJr, and communicated to his father and #the breath of summer, was heard saying, "Arise, kinsmen the divine con~nand. Terah had embrac&l this is ~ot your rest, and go to a land of which I the religion of his son. Nahor and Haran had also will tell you." Abram was startled. It was the become proselytes to the new faith. Terah was now firet tins the divine voice had fallen upon his ear. two hundred years old, and was resigxiedly awaiting' But he was not alarmed. That voice fell upon an his departure to the home of the blest~s the evening ear already attuned to the language of heaven. shades of life were gathering a~mnd him. No Those words came to a heart full of faith and obe sooner, however, did he hear of the faith of his dience to God, and. when they rose from' the altar, a children and their divinely appointed destiny, than calm celestial resignation to the divine will might he resolved to accompany them. It was a heavenly have beeg seen upon their countenances, indiok~ting' mission, and he knew that it would have the divine the response of their hearts. protection. He had made the God of his children The revelation was clear, so clear and definite that hi~ own God. He had abandoned the star and fire it left no doubt whatever on the mind of Abram that worship of Chaldea for a purer, simpler faith. En. he was to leave his post of honor, his much lo~ed feebled with age as he was, he did not hesitate to pursuit, his palace, and more than all. his kindred start upon the long and weary journey, and with and friends and native country, and all the associa- staff in hand nerved by a new power, he started out tions of his early life, and start iut upon a pilgrim; with ~Abram and Sarai for the land of promise. age to him unknown. Crossing the Tigris, and giving themselves up to But was he to wander alone as an exile from divine direction, they traveled in a north-eastwardly kindred and country and friends? No, not alone, course until they reached the mountain range. God said "I will go with thee and give thee rest." Worn down with fatigue ana toil, Terah was at And Sarai too, for they twain were one, would ac- length compelled to cease traveling, and after having company him. No sooner did the faithful Abram reached a beautiful valley in Armenia they pitched respond to the vAce of' God than his young and their tents and called a halt until Providence should beauteous wife, all radiant with smiles, embracing. further open their way. They had traveled a dis- him, said, "whither thou goest I will go, even to tance of three hundred and seventy-six miles, and the ends of the earth." were weary of the journey. After remaining a few days at Babylon, Abram In that little band there was a promising youth, V ~0'

THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. THE TEMPLE AT BABYLON. 59 who, having embraced the same faith, had resolved ness of the peaceful village of Haran, ~occurred. 0* undertaking the same pilgrimage. He was a The aged patriarch, Terah, whose increasing feeble4 brother's son of Abram, and though much younger, ness caused Abram to stop in his unknown journey, was of kindred spirit, and devotedly attached to his an event which resulted in the foundation of a city uncle. ~or the sake of his religion he was willing and the accumulation of a large amount of p~perty, to leave fath~ and mother and his youthful asso- was called to die. He was well stricken in years. ciates, and trav~with the chosen few to the land of The toils of ixpwards of two centurie~$had worn him promise. His name was Lot. down to the grave, and calling a~roun~l him his be- In the place Where they had stopped on account loved Abram and Sarai, and pronouncing upon them of the infirmities of Terah, Abram and his nephew his blessing, he gathered up his feet ~nd departed in commenced the erection of a village which was peace to his fathers. The hands of affection closed called by them Haran, in honor of Lot's father. It his eyes, and followed by those who loved him in was a lovely spot. Nature had here lavished her life, and in death did not forsake him, together with gifi~s, and ~with a profuse hand had scattered bless a large train of weeping villagers, the patriarchof ings all around. As the blessing .of ~God was upon Haran was borne to the tomb. Abram and his companions, every enterprise in It was a sad day to Abram and~Sarai and Lot1 4 which they engaged prospered. The little band who with his newly married companion, deeply was increased by additions from their fellow coun- mourned his loss. The first grave opened in Haran, trymen, for they were still in Mesopotamia, and had it was baptized with many tears, and often at even- not passed beyond the boundaries of their native tide would Abram and Sarai wander there to weep land. They bestowed great attention to the culti- and pray over t4ie tomb of buried affection. Once, vation of the soil, which produced spontaneously while pouring out their hearts to God at that rural the most odoriferous vines, and it was not many spot, the divine glory again overshadowed them as years until they had immense vineyards and vast on the summit of Belus, and a voice came to them, herds and flocks of cattle and sheep which grazed saying, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy~ on the rich pastures which nature had so bountifully kindred, and from thy fath&'s house, into a land provided. that I will show thee, and I will make of thee a An event calculated to fill the mind with melan- great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy oh~ly, and w)alch broke in fearfully upon the happi. name great, and thou shalt be a blessing, and I will 60 60THE ASTRC)LOGEI~ OF OHALDEA. TIlE T~RMPLS AT BAI3Y~O~f. bless ~hem that bless thee, and curse him that as it did for a long distance between the m~ntains ~iirseth theej and in thee shall all the families of of Ebal and G~rezim, which rose on either side to the eai~t~ be blessed." It was the same divine the height of eight hundred fe~t, thickly covered voice whose directions theyhad followed, and which with groves of olive and fig tree~, while the rocks had led them to Haran, and hence it took them no were festooned with vines and flowers of every hue, time to consitfl in regard to obeying the coi~mand.. between which natural fountains threw out their Preparations were immediately made for another sparkling waters, imparting a refreshing coolness to unknown journey~ and a few days, in which they the scene. Nothing could be more inviting. here gathered. together~ their flocks and herds and trea~. the heaven-directed travelers, after having joiirneye4 stores, witnessed their departure, with Lot and his four hundred miles, ended their pilgrimage and took wife, and those who had renounced idolatry and up their abode. embrace the true religion. Though they had laid Again the Lord appeared unto Abran~i, While tl* foundations of a city, and in the course of engaged in evening devotions~ and the smoke 4 fourteen tears procured for -themselves every thing sacrifice went curling' ~iip from thea, altar ~ . ~p~e ~ necessary te*Wake home happy, and though last not incense to heaven, the Shekinah agat~uy~eI~ped 4 least, Haran c6ntained 'the sacred relics of their the woi~hippers, and the divine voice ~sai~l, "iJnto venerated father, they were ready to make any sacri- thy seed 'will I give this land." fices, leaving all the endearments of home, with Abram was childless. Year after year had -come their' fruitful vineyards and smiling gardens, for the and gone since he took his beloved Sarai to his deep shadows of an untrodden wilderness. bosom, but the boon for vhich both had sighed, Their route lay towards Canaan, ~and after many and the withholding of which in those days was days 6f weary travel over rugged mounPnns, considered a's a curse, came not to sadden their through deep' and dangerous ravines and sandy hearts and light their eyes. To writ~a man child- deserts, they at length reach the borders of the less in patriarchal times was but to complete the promised land, and finally enter the beautiful vale sum of his misery. It was to make him as a lone of Shechem, spread oi*t between the mountains of tree in a dreary desert, braiw~hless, leafless, sapless.. Ebal. and Gerezim, where ~Jiey encamped4 and erected But this revelation inspire hope, and the faithful an altar to the worship God. Nothing could be Abram believed God, and ~ejoiaed in the prospect~ more lovely tban this capaoio~s valley, exwnding of its fulfilment. It was a promise ~~ivolving the

) i

'4 THE ASTROLOGER OF UIIALDEA. THE TEMPLE AT BABYLON. 65 exi~e~ ai~l destiny of a nation, p~umerous as the all distance of time and space, anji bro~i~t to stars of hea'~en. That same valley and those tow Abram's visioii the Glorious One. ering mountains *re to be covered and darkened * Northward ~rorn the valley o~ hec~'hini, a distance by twelve trib~i and their twelve times twelve of twenty-eight miles, spread outi~he broad plain of. thousand that should spring from his loins, and every Mamre, between Bethel and Ai. It was a wild ro- ear which should hear the commandments of his ma~tic region, covered with lofty oaks, and though God. That very valley where he offered up his less fertile and beautiful than the valley of Moreh sacrifices as typical of a coming Savior, whom he where the chosen few had taken up their abode, stiR it 'eady beheld by faith in the dim vista of the future, was in the land which God had promised to Abr was to be made ~sacred by hi~ presence. His feet and as the whole cdtintry was before him where to were te tread the same green spot, and his lips to choose, with Providence his guide, from so~e cause taste W the sain~ cool*ig ~w&ters. The faith of which the sacred hi~tc~ri~1k, ha~ w cealed, ~aw 411 "nations of j~i0 earth blessed in the the holy family e~z4jrated thither~ essi~Ii, for through them their numerous servants, pith and herds. t~ ' Impervioi~s shadows bide It might have been that such a place ndt ~i'a Yet ysteries ot heaven, where all knowledge is denied vorable to devotion. The Oanaanite #45 still in To faith 'tis given." the land and encroachments from these idolaters might hav~ rendered it necessary for the peaceful And his faith brought to him not nly the knowl- Abram to remove to a less favored but still more edge of redemption's scheme, but secured for him secluded spot. Or it might have been that the all its spin I and eternal blessings. Centuries valley was not sufficiently bro~d an, ~*extensive for upon century ~ were to pass away, sacred bards the already large and accumulate families of were to live and sing of the Messiah, mighty kings Abram and ht, with their vast possessions of ser~ and priests were to wait for his advent, and all na- vants and ca4~ile. Or what is perhaps the more tions were to desire his coming; but the prophet plausible conjecture, the same divine voice which 4 w~I4 drop his harp, t ing lay down his crown, had called ~him from Ba~1on and directed hi~ in and the pnie~t his mi*~r4ai~dthe nations die ere the his jour~eyings to Oanaa~had summoned him to fulne~s of time should co~ne, while faith annihilated the highlands of Mt~mre. TLIk~ T1i~MJL1~ AT BADYL0N~ A A$TROLOG~R OF Cu4LD~A. 66 standing his removal from the 'vale of ig the fields soon began to yield 4ts fruit, ami~.a rich Shech~m and plains Qf Moreb, to th~ more rugged harvest of plenty crowned their labors. The moun~ heights of Ma~re, yet he realized th~t He who had tam, valley, and plain, which presented thei' diver- ealle4 him from Chaldea would give him in ~due sified scenery to their enchanted~ eyes, flue eir time all the land of Palestine, and though the pros- hearts with new and in4~re~sed emotions of gratitude pect and promise would have chilled the heart of to the Giver of' all good. As they would wander others of less faith, and caused them to stagger with among the bowers, and' at noontide rest beneath the unbelief in regard to their fulfilment and realization, featherypalm and wide-spreading olive, ortat even, faith stood like a pillar of light amid. the sur- when the '~tars would look out clear and beautiful rounding darkness, penetrating the gloom and kind- from their native~ heavens, they would gather around ling the future with a radiance all-inspiring to hope. the sacred altar and offer the evening sacrifice, a Though the woody~, highlands afforded a wide holy joy would ~ll their hears as the object of their ~ ~the ~cattle, y~t the ~9il was of t~o rough, worship would encircle' them in a halo of~1o~y~ and ~ a~4. ~t~ril~ a characteI~to yield a sufficient from his radiant throne~hold communi~i~*ith their pas*i~e~ and the families found it necessary to spirits. fotlov#~the indicatioiis of Providence and seek a more To Abram there was a joy added to all t~ com- fertile spot~ Their flocks and herds, under the di- munings of his spirit with' his Gad, and the great vine blessing, had increased astonishingly, dotting prosperity which attended him, only less than the: the surrounding plains and darkening th~ encircling first as a cause of happiness, and vastly greater hills, and as it was necessary for their support that than all the rest. It was the love of his affectionate a more pr4itious region should be fouAi~1, Abram wife, For though he had immense possessions, and Lot stru~ their tents and journeyed south until numerous relations, and a host of ~4Lendants and they came to a section of country offering every servants, there was nothing like his beloved Sarai, inducement for their sojourn. and no eye ~r.~eted him wit~h half the affection of Here they pitched their tents, ere d their altar, her mild bh~'orb s, nor dkl any voice sound so' Lud offered up sacrifices and praises to the God of sweet as hers. When they would walk together at thair mercies, whose' pr~videnc& had presided in even, arm in arm, with true oriental simplicity, and such a wonderful manu~er over their jo neyings gaze upon the moon walkii~ in brightness over the since leaving the land o~ their nativity, heir toil bright pathway of stare, and call to remembrance

V ' ' 4

4

66 1E A8TRoLoGEa OF CBALDEA. THE TEMPLE AT ~&BYLON~ 67 t ev~tionR when they vainly imagined that the skies, and that God only can satisfy the soul, t~iese bright erbs of night were their gods, and ~pn- wh4ie it is from His hand all temporal blessings flow. tras the dQubt and uncertainty which4lilled their What profit are extensive flocks and her the mm with their resentt consciousness of hope a0nd pastures be dry? Of what avai~are the olive, th~ joy derived from fhe worship of their Creator, they fig', and the vine, dotting the plains and spreading were ~lled with ecstatic bliss, arid would break forth over the surrounding hills, if the rains descend not in. songs of praise to the GQd of heaven. ~ + to wateik4' the, earth? What are all the luxuries of Sarai sVas a tru4~ wife, making home happy by her the most charming and beautiful home if they are presence and her smiles, t~ very earthly paradise soon to exist only in painful contrast with the most where the curse of strife never was permitted to sudden and utter desolation? What are the flowers enter. Iii her peaceful tent the pilgrim forgot his which bloom with such fragrance to-day, if We must tQil and exile, and was rnade to reap the full enjoy. see them all scattered and withered to-morrow? mint of tl~ present, while he was inspired with hope What are all the bright and beautiful' ~pictures of in the di iu#. promise for t~ future. All around human happiness, if w~znust soon weep ~bver them smiled an Eden of race and joy, while above them like departed joys which nevef ~an return? was a covenant-keepirfg God, and over them his pro- Such was to be the lot of the pilgrims of Pales.. tecting care. tine, so far as their happiness was derived from e * Thit life has i~s varieties as nature has her seasons, earthly objects by which they were surrounded~. * her storms, and sunshine. The morning sun may They were destined to experience the sad reverse of gild a cloudless sky, but ere noon it may be over- fortune and suffer the pinching hand~of a desolating ca~twith dark and lowering clouds. The cheerful famine to grasp them in its bony fingers. The clouds day may be s~eceeded by a cheerless, gloomy night; gave no rain, and the earth yielded no moisture. and thus it was with the happy dwellers in the peace The grass withered beiieath the scorching rays of ful vales of Canaan. For a season, 4 least, their the sun, and the rich fruits faded a ~rthly happiness must~be broken in4ipn, and their field. way from the temporal resources must be in a measure exhausted, But God left not his chosen ones to perish. He if for nothing else than to teach the dwellers of earth "who guides Areturus with his suns," in their tbat this is not their hon~e, but that at best they. are pathway through the heavens, and upholds all things strangers and pilgrims in quest of a country beyond by the word of his power, directing and controling 4

68 ASTROLOGER OF OMALPEA. TH1~ TBMPL~ AT BABYLON. 69 alVeverits, in whose hands are the destinies of na~ aware of the fact that the whole land of Palest~xte tions, could not if he would and would i1o~ j$ he coul ~so wise and good and kind is he in all his was thus withering under a drought that had ex~. thing, and though he was con- deali gs, forsake ~iose who put their trust in Him. hausted every green of the fact that soon his resources would be Such an idea would not only be preposterous, but scious exhausted by the constant drain upon them which blasphemous in the extreme. tie had called Abram his hospitality and benevolence opened for the des- from his~ country and kindred to enter upoil a~nission, titute in the surrounding country, yet he did not the object of which was to work out a glorious des~ yield to despondency, or for a Uioment lose confi~ tiny for a race which was to ;be numerous as the st~~rs of heaven for multitude, and the covenant dence in the ever acting providence of God. which he entered into with that faithful agent of his purposes, he intended to ratify beft~re the ~world. ~ The seeming obscuration of hope in the darkness which w~is ~permitted to' envelop his condition, was designed only as a~Wadditional test of a faith.which had already been tried and found to be as the pure g d which passes through the fire. His trial was only to be as the night of gloom which precedes the bi~ighv and cheerful morning over which no cloud should cast a shade. It was to develop a greater moral strength~ ana heroism in a soul already nerved up. to deeds of, bpld and lofty daring, enabling it to grapple successfullyy with opposing obstacles and come .oi~t a triumphant victor, crowned with the achievements its own integrity and energy had se-

Many, under such circumstances, would have giveii themselves up to despair, ar~d considered all as lost. Not so with Abram. Though he was 14

/ COURT OP EGYPT. 71

4 was about live hundred miles. The valley of ~he river was narrow, the distance from moun n ~o mountain being only about seven miles. CHAPTER IV. The country of Egypt had attained a higher de- gree of civilization and refinement than even Assyria, COTYRT OF EGYPT. the land of Abram. It was the seat of royal govern ABRAM'S knowledge of the country and climate inent, and the arts and sciences were carried to a of the East convi)iced him that the famine was greater extent of perfection tha~i at Nineveh ai~d general, and that no district dependent upon the Babylon. Besides, it W45 the granary of the world, rains for the productions of the soil, would afford possessing greater resources for the supply of its supplies for his large and rapidly increasing family. population than any other land. Th~ peculiar fern To obtain these he must journey to another land. tili~y~f its soil depending, as we have already stated, In a southwesterly direction, two hundred and forty upon the inundation of the waters of the Nile : though miles distant, was the country of Ham, the fertility no rain should fall on Egypt for a year, or a sucees~ of whose soil was produced by the annual inundation sion of years, yet the 'fields woi4d yield their wanted of a river which took its rise in the mountains of supply. The various branches of the Nile have Et~4opia. This country was bounded on the north their rise in the mountains north of the equat9r, ~by the Great Sea, on the east by the river El Arish and flowing through Abyssinia and other regions on i;he borders of Palestine and the Syrian or Ara.~ westward of it, meet in th~ country of Sennaar. 1~ian desert, which extends from the sea to the gulf The united stream flows then in ~ northwesterly 'of Suez, and from thence southward by the western direction through Nubia and Egypt, and after a coast of the Red Sea, and on the west by the Lybian course of nearly two thousand miles from the far- *4esert. From the earliest ages its boundaries to the thest explored point, enters the Mediterra~neau by s~uth had been fixed by the cataracts of Syene, several mouths, which forms the Deha of Egypt1 v~hich are formed by a number of granite rocks that In a distance of one thousand three hundred miles etch across the bed of the Nile, and over which from the mouth of the Lacazze to the Delta, the t river rolled its foaming waters. The length of Nile does not receive a single tributary stream, which in the language of one, forms a solitary in- *Pt~from the mouth of its great river to the cata~ stance in the hydrographic history of the globe. ts, 'the border of Nubia under the tropic of Can- *1

72 'VilE ASTROLOOER 01' CHALDEA. COURT OF EGYPT. 73 e ancients assigned many reasons for the rise of The Nile being the source of Egypt's prosperity, tJ~ waters of the Nile. To see the river rise and the inhabitants were ki to look upon it as the gi4 r swell beyond its banks 'without a drop of rain, or of all good, and hence they paid it divine honors. any visible cause whatever, would necessarily 'excite The priests of Egypt affirmed that Pheron, the son many conjectures. They knew not that the vapors of Sesostris, one of their kings, was struck blind by exhaled by the sun from the Mediterranean were the river god, for an act of impiety. At a certain carried to the mountains of Ethiopia, and there time when the river had risen to the extraordinary condensing, came 4~wn in copious showers, swelling height of twenty-seven feet, a violent storm of wind the river to such ~ti extent that, first Ethiopia and arose which greatly agitated the waters, the king, then Egypt, were ov~rfiowed, and the majestic river with a foolish temerity, took a javelin in his hand became a sea and spread abroad its blessings over and cast it into the. midst of the foaming waters, the face of the surrounding country. and for this act was struck with blindness. There 'cannot be a more magnificeiit eight than The principal festival of this imaginary god was that which Egypt presents at two seasons of the at the summer solstice, when the inundation com- year. In the month8of July and August the whol~ menced; at which season by- a cruel idolatrous rite, valley is covered with water fr6m mountain t~ moun- the E~gyptians sacrificed red haired persons, princi- tain. In the midst of thi&sea numerous towns and pally foreigners; to Typhon, or the power said to 'villages appear, with several causeways leading from preside over tempests, at Busiris and Heliopolis, by place to place, the whxie interspersed with groves burning them alive and scatte~irxg their ashes in the ~f orange and l~in6n trees, whose tops only are visi- air. ble. This view is bounded by mountain ranges and Though of a more recent date than Nineveh avid woods, which terminate at the utmost distance the Babylon, the cities of Egypt were 6f great magnifi- eye can ~discover, the most beautiful horizon that cence and splendor. The capital, which was called can be imagined. In the months of January and No Ammon, was situated on the banks of the Nile. Februarfr the whole country is like one continued It was the chief seat of the worship of Jupiter; and scene of 'beautiful meadows, whose vej~dure, enam- such its name denotes in the Egyptian ton g~ue, as eled' with flowers, charms the eye. The air is per. the secret invisible creator among the Egypthns was fumed with the orange, lemon, i~nd other blossoms, called Ammon, which signifies hidden. This was heightehixig, if possible, the enchantment of the an appellation of the true God "Why ' seekest scene. 4

74 THE ASTROLOGER OP CHALD~A. COURT OP EGYPT. 75 thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret," or headed monsters, sixty feet high and one hundred h den? This, also, accords with the inscription on and twe~nty-five feet long. Here mysteries wei~ one of Egypt's ancient temples, which reads, "I performed to which but few had access, and none am all that hath been, and is, and will be, and my were permitted to cross the threshold of that myste- veil no mortal uncoverec 1. My offspring is the sun." rious place, without previously passing through the This city was venerated by the ancient Egyptians most solemn rites. as the parent city, the seat of sacred mysteries and Hitherward Abram and Sarai, with Lot and 1~is

learning. It had an hundred gates, from each of wife, and their children, together with their nume - which ten thousand warriors issued with horses and rous attendants, were wending their way. They chariots. The area of the city embraced twenty- had crossed the Syrian and Arabian deserts and seven Roman miles. Its palaces and monument& of reached the shores of the Nile. Their destination art were magnificent without a parallel. The palace was the city of the king, as it was from him Abram of Karnack, which was on the eastern side of the hoped to obtain assistance. Aware, as he was, of city, the largest.edifice in Egypt, was seven hundred the idolatry and profligacy of the king and his court, feet long and one hundred and twenty-five feet in he resorted to an exceptionable expedient. What breadth. Two ranges of columns led to a portico was to be done? Sarai his wife, though somewhat of one hundred and thirty-six columns. The two advanced in years, was still surpassingly beautiful, middle ranges of these columns were eleven feet in An increase of years had only given character to diameter; the ren~&inder were seven feet. The her expression of feature. length of the ~tibule was three hundred and ninety "If she go to the court of the kin~as my wife," feet, and the breadth one hundred and twenty-five. said Abram, "I shall be destroyed, and she taken The vestibule led into a court where there were four as a wife by the king; but if she go as my sister, obelisks and twelve colossal figures. Two other my life will not be sought on heir account, and she courts conducted to the apartments of the kings of may be saved. So saying, and fearing lest her Egypt. Adjoining the palace were spread out on beauty should become, to him and to her both, a every side extensive apartments, connecting there- snare, he finally said, "When Pharaoh shall ask with by avenues of sphynxes, lions and rams, all of thee who thou art? thou shalt say, 'I am his sis-~ colossal magnitude. The avenue to the temple of ter.'" "Not thy wife, my lord, and sister too?" the sun was guarded by enormous human and lion said Sa~u~i. "Nay, for if thou sayest aught but 76 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHAL]YEA, THE COURT OF. EGYPT. 7'7 that thou art ~iy sister, they will slay me for thy and worshippers of .the sun and moon~ under the ~ake. Besides, thou art my sister on my father's names of Osiris and Jsis.\ With their worship; side." however, they had connected mysteries peculiar to The aay at length arrived for entering Egypt's the occult sciences, and to these Aifram was intro- prou~l capital, and Abram and Sarai, after entering duced, though at no time did he swerve from the the city, and' passing through the long colonnade, true worship of God, and often did he enter into ~ s4~bd at the~ jY~i~tal of the king's palace. He had lengthy arguments to prove the f~lly of wor~k~ already heard of Abram's fame as an astrologer h~ ping the creature instead of The Creator. Chaldea% and no sooner did he learn who were in The king was specially delighted with his new waiting, than he granted them an immediate audi- guest, and loaded him with many costly presents, ence. After learning the object of his visit, pro- while at the same time he offered him a place vision was at once made for his family, and he and among the princes and astrologers of the land. H& Sarai were taken into the royal palace, where they had already taken his fair sister among the maids were supplied with every luxury the fertile valley of honor, and she was undergoing that process of afforded. training peculiar to Eastern courts, whereby she The exceeding beauty of Sarai attracted the at~ would in due time become a sultana of the royal tension of alt the~ lords and nobles of Pharaoh's house. court, and hei~ peculiarly fascinating and attractive The fears of Abram at last came upon him, manners, added to dignified yet amiable demetcnor, but in a way he little suspected. Already had Won her a g of admirers on every hand. For Pharaoh claimed Sarai as his owfl. To him it was her sake Abram ~was treated with marked respect, a dark and dreadful day) .a period of awful sus- and his attainments in Assyrian lore soon gained pense, and the mind of Sarai was tossed with tu- for ~him among th~ priests and astrologers of the multuous feelings. They had involved themselves Egyrptian court, an elevated position. Being the in a sad dilemma. With their own hands they Archimagus of I3abylon, and astrology having been had woven around their fate a web from which no introduced into Egypt from Chaldea, it was not tc human skill or power could extricate them. Sarai '~be wondered that Abram should meet with so much was at the mercy of a profligate court, an4~she favor in the eyes of the learned. The Egyptians trembled in view of her pe~il and approachingg were, however, like his own countrymen, idolaiers, degradation. Under the ci~cu~stan~0s Abram could 4

'7$? 78 THE A&TROWGER OF UHALDEA. THE CGURT OF E~T. not, and dare not, interpose without involving h~in. Dut hark! Among the assembled wineexcited self arid wife, if possible, in a still greater' calamity, throng a princess falls and\ a low sulle~i moan es- and he could nit claim the Divine interposition, capes her lips. Then another an~ another is smit- because he ha~ not come to Egypt by the special ten, and where before there waS naught but joyous directi~ of the Almighty; it being only a general shouts of mirth, now the palace is filled with la- providence which pointed out his way. Notwith- mentation, mourning and woe. The angel of death s ing all thi~ they both resorted to prayer and is there, and one after another of t~e royal ear estly besought deliverance from the dreadful hold is struck dQwn and borne away to the place of evil which threatened their happiness~. graves. At length the day arrived which terminated the What means this sudden and *~fail visitation? probation for her admission into ~the harem of the What has sent afi avenging hand to strike terror king, a&one of his wives. Her rank and beauty were into the heart of the king? He '~seeks to solve such a~ to create quite an excitement in the court, the wful mystery which has snatched his chosen among the princes and ladies. The event which one~ '~h'~m his side. In the midst of his terror tbe would fix her doom, and forever, consign her to a truth flashed upon his mind. "Can this be the life of hopeless mis~'y was to be preceded by a wife of the Chaidean ?" grand festival, and every note of preparation was Abram was instantly summoned to his presence. sounded. "What is this that thou hast done unto nie ?" said Thousand lights were streaming from incense the terror-smitten king. "Why didst thou notdell burners, and 4he long colonnade of sphynxes and me she was thy wife? Why saidst thou, she is my liows w~s lit up by their glare. The proud palace sister ?" At this searching and pointed reprQof with j~ lofty arches, rung with joyous voices, from royal lips, Abram 'felt keenly the enormity of while strains of enchanting music filled the air. his deception. Shame and self-mortificiLtiori, for But while every heart beat in unison to the general the first time in his life, became the inmates of his joy, those of Abram and Sarai were filled with troubled mind, and he was dumb with silence. sadness. "Hast thou nothing to say ? Wherefore didst The fearful crisis at last came, and Sarai, gore thou deceive me," he added, "seeing that so much geously dressed, as ~ victim for the slaughter, was evil would verne to my house on account thereof. about to be led away thy' the voluptuous Pharaoh. Now thereibre, behold thy wife, she is as~she c~n~ from thy hand, take her and go thy way. COURT OF EQYPT. 81 80 80THE A$T~OLOGER OF OIL &LDEA. TIlE gi The agony of mind through which Sarai had ture, and there, surrounded by thQir nume~roue passed was iiow relieved, the mountain pressure was attendants and relatives, they bow and offer up taken from her heart, and falling into the arms of a sacrifice of gratitude to the God of all their her beloved Abram she was clasped to his throb- .mercies, and renew their covenant with Heaven. bitig heart, again 4i8 own. Pleasant to them was the memory of pa4 mercies, The pestilence was stayed in the court of Pharaoh, and sacred, above all other epots, wa~ the one wl~ich an4 jttst as th~ light of the succeeding morning had been consecrated by prayer and thanksgiv~g. was breaking over the hills, and bathing with its Bethel never looked lovelier. It seemed as if to golden beams the city of Thebes, or ancient No the past drouth had succeeded a new creation. Ammon, a cavalcade was seen moving along the Blooming flowers and clustering fruits were seen on shores ~of the Nile toward the land of Canaan. every hand, and every heart was filled with joy at It was a mild summer morn. The air was redo- the return of plenty~ To Abram and Sarai 4he lent with the perfume of many-tinted flowers, and simplicity, beauty, and purity of home were far vocal with the songs of bright-plumed birds, which more precious than the luxury and profligacy of filled the groves of oranges and lemons that lined the proud palace and court of Pharaoh, and man.y the banks. Abram and his family, loaded with \and grateful Were the thanks they offered to God presents, were leaving Egypt. God had sent upon for their deliverance. the land of Palestine fertilizing showers, and the Bethel, however, with all its hallowed and de- parched earth was again renewed, the hills and lightful associations, wa~ not sufficiently capacious plains and valleys were again e4overed with verdure, for the numerous and, rapidly increasing family and and smiling plenty bloomed on every hand. All possessions of Abram and Lot. They were exceed- nature wore an aspect of life and beauty, while ingly rich in flocks ~nd herds, sheep and oxen, songs of joy and gladness from those who had sur- camels and asses, men servants and maid servants, vived the famiite, were heard in every place. besides a large amount of silver and g6ld, and. Day after day the cavalcade moves on towards costly presents which they had received in Egypt. the promised land, until finally the travelers enter Though they lived together in peace and unity, yet its borders and soon reach I~ethel, endeared by the possessions of Abram and Lot were not in com- many hallowed associations. Abram and Sarai mon, but kept separate and distinct from each hast~n to the altar erected previous to their depar- other. So far as they were concerned they Qould N

~8t TH~ M~t~QLO0E1~ OF OKAh'LDEA. U0TJr~T OF Z~Y1~T. 83 have lived forever in harmony, because, though description, and for beauty was compared by the 'their possessions were separate, their intere5ts were Almighty himself to the garden of the Lord. Eve~y one; yet it was not so with their herdmen, among preparation necessary for the separation and journey whom a strife arose in regard to the occupancy of being made, Lot, with his men servants and maid pasturage. Notwi~istanding all the efforts at re- servants started for' Sodom, one of the chief cities conciliation, it became evident that Abram and Lot on the banks of the Jordai~~ must separate, and occupy different territories. Abram, grieved at th~ necessity which caused 'This was peacefully agreed upon, and Abram, with his kinsman to separate from him, greatly feared a magnanimity which ever characterized his life, the consequences of his taking up his abode in a made the following proposal to Lot: "-Let there be, land of strangers, a~d especially in a city where the I pray thee, no strife between me and thee, and inhabitants were wholly given to idolatry. Lot had between my herdm9n and thy herdmen, for we are departed, but not without his blessing, and at the brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? morning and evening' sacrifice a fervent remem.. Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me.~ If thou branch was had of him and his family in his prayers. wilt take the left hand I will go to the right; 01', if Shortly after Lot's departure the Lord appeared to thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the Abram on the mountain, and said, "Lift up thine left." eyes and look from the .place where thou art, north- Such generosity, on the part of Abram, to one who ward and southward, and eastward and westward. had under his protection and auspices, received all For all the land which thou seest I will give to ~his standing in society and acquired all big posses- thee and thy seed forever. Arise, walk through the sions, was worthy of the man, and showed him land in the le i~gth of it, and the breadth of it, for I possessed of a spirit vastly different from that which will give it unto thee." This was but a renewal of ~governs the generality of the best of men under the covenant, and while it assured Abram that hi~ like circumstances. conduct in Egypt had not vitiated the sacred agree- No sooner was the proposition made, than. Lot, ment, it also determined him in regard to his pre~ with a different spirit from that which dictated the sent location, and leaving Bethel's plains of peace generous 'proposal, eagerly made his selection of and plenty, he removed, with all his possessions, the- fertile and well watered valley of the Jordan. again to the mountain range of Mamre. 'This pbrtion of the country was fruitful beyond We have already spoken of the r~iggedness of 84 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. this district of country, and the reader has seen its ~evious inability to support the numerous family, and whether Abram was prompted to return to Mamre on account of the decrease in his family and CHAPTER V. flocks and herds by the separation of Lot and his possessions, or whether it was because he wished to BATTLE OF THE KINGS. extend his range, holding on still to the fertile val- leys as his God-given possession, or whether he RUMORS of war, with its dire alarms, reached the was specially directed of the Lord to this course Patriarch ere he had dwelt long in his beautiful of action, we are not informed. There were, to the mountain home. The confederate kings of the five mind of Abram, doubtless, reasons ~ufficie~t to cities of the plain, namely, Berah, the king of So- justifr hi~ in tEe m0vemexit, and subsequent events dom, Birsha, the king of Gomorrah, Shinab, the in his history seems to indicate their correctness. king of Admah, Shemeber, the king of Zeboim, and the king of Zoar, were under the governmeAt of Ohederlaomer, the proud and mighty monarch of Persia. Being uneasy under the Persian yoke, which had pressed with galling weight up&~i them for twelve yearsL and unwilling to be any longer tributary, or submit to the hea~ry exactions imposed upon them to support that gorgeous Eastern monar- chy, which extended its grasping arms over the most fertile portions of Palestine, they resolved to

rally their forces and throw off the yoke. The .~. note, of preparation was sounded, soldiers were marshaled, and in anticipation of an invasioii from the Persian army, every city was fortified. So thorough and perfect were the reparationss for de- fejise, that the Persian power alone was not able to overcome the ~kings of the plain, at~d again reduce them to subjection. Such was the opinion of 85

'4 86 TIlE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. RATTLE O~ THE &LNGS. Chederlaomer himself, but he had powerful allies in Assyria went, they carried desolation and rapine, the persons of Amraphel, the king of Ohaldea, and death. It appeared that the more that were Arioc, the king of Babylon, and Tidal, the king of slain by the insatiate sword, only whetted it for th~ surrounding nations, and through means of keener rapine and a more sanguinary destructioft~ messengers sent to the courts of these respective Tidings of this dreadful war reached the ears of kings, a league was formed, and every preparation the confederate kings of the vale of Sid4im, and was made for making war upon. the five cities, and bistead of remaining in their strongholds and waiting visiting heir respective kings with summary yen- the attack of the enemy, as they should have done, ~eanc. so soon as they learned of their arrival on the con- T ough the neighboring provi1~ces of Palestine fines of their territory, they marshalled their hosts went out to give them battle. Tbo~gh it was had not fqr~nally declared themselves independent, and five kings against four yet the army of t1~e five bore or entirely united with the five kings in throwing the four off their allegiance to the Persian government, still no comparison With the numerous hosts~ of mighty kings. Besides,~ the allied forces were they manifested great disaffection, and bore with great uneasiness and constant murmurings their flushed with successive victories, and they could the plain subjection to the tl~~rone of Persia. ~Uhe king of nQt believe that the petty sovereignties of able to measure swords with thi~m upon Persia was aware of this state of things, and for would be strife. Tbe contending armies at kngtli the pnrp~se of chastising them and thus coercing the fiel4 of met, and a fierce and deadly conflict ensued. For a more perfect obedience, as well as inflicting pun- hours nought was ~to be heard but the clash of arms ishment, if not a war of extermination upon the mingled with the rebellious kings of Sodom, Goinorrali, Admah, and the groans of the wounded, long and deafening shouts of the victors. Ohariots Zeboim, and Zoar, the allied powers marched their and horsemen and footmen were all mingled together armies against the Rephaims in Astaroth-Karnahim, in wild confusion in the deadly strife. At length the Zu~ims in Ham, the Emims in Shareh-Kiria- the army of the eastern allies prev~i~s; aud the thaim, the Horites in Mount Seir, the Amalekites kings of the plain retreat to their cities. In their in Kadesh, and the Amorites in Wazezontamar. retreat, the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomor- Thousands upon thousands of these defenseless Ca- rah, falling in slime pits, with which the~ plain Qf naanites fell before the victorious arms of the allied ~iddim ab~mzided in those days, are taken by the powers, aid wherever the proud host~of Persia and 4e

TI~Z ASTROLOr*ER OF OILALDEA. BATTLE OF THE KINGS. ~ pursuing hosts. The most of the army fled to the "Then, by the help of the great Jehovah, F will mountains, and. the victorious hosts entering the resctte him," said Abram, at the same time sum~ Cities take possession of the spoils, making all the nioning trusty and chosen men, whom he sent as i bitants prisoners. After feasting and rioting messengers to the conf derate kings of the ne i~pon the spoils, the cities were stripped of nnich of boring ~provinces, Aner, Esehol, and Mamr~. In their treasure, and taking several of the most dis. the meant time Ab armed his ow~i chosen band tinguished citizens prisoners, the army took its of servants, to ~he number of, thice hundred and departureE eighteen. Up to this time he had been a man of * Thght years had now passed away since the. sepa-, peace, following a pastoral life, and. watching with ration of Abram and Lot, and as the distance from pious fidelity over his flocks and herds, knowing Mamre ~, $om was forty xuiles, it was seldom nothing of the tumult1 and strife of ~ his that Abri~tn heard of the fate and fortunes of his bosom heaved with a new and mighty in4~ilse, not kinsman. We have already alluded to the rumors to gain the renown of a conqueror or to gratify a of war which came to his ears, and his anxiety for selfish and heartless ambition, but to avenge the the welfare of Lot was n~t a little heightened when wrongs done to his kinsman, and his magnat~imous a messenger, in breathless haste, approached his soul was kindled with energy to deliver him if pos- te~it and exclaimed. sible from the hands of the enemy. His beloved "Alas, master, Sodom is taken by the ~enemy, Sarai shared in the truly patriotic feelings which and thy kinsman Lot, with his wife and daughters, moved his heart, and with her own fair hands she are carried away into captivity," anointed his shield, balanced the nodding helmet "Whence comes the intelligence of my kinsman's upon his head, braced the corelet and mailed coat sad *i~te ?" and buckler above the shining armor, and presented "The kings of Sodoni and Gomorrah fell and' him, the bright unsheathed sword which was not to were taken in battle, and I, alone, of the number return to iLs scabbard until injured innocence, had who fledjt~ the mountains, have come to tell of my been redressed, and the proud conquerors of Sodoni and its confederate cities had been humble4 in the "What direction took the victorious army with dust at his feet,. its spoils?" It was not tong ~~ntil th~ approaching armies of "The direction northward,. this side the Jordan, his friendly allies sounded their trumpets on the my lord." 90 ( TIRE A8TROLOeER OF CHALDEA, BATTLE OF THE KflGS. 91:91. mountain ranges of Mamre. Soon, every arrange. Night came, and with it the hour for action. mont being made, the venerable patriarch and his Under cover of the darkness, the army, divided into allies were seen on the line of march towards the four companies, led on by their respective command~ fiAt of contest. iOn their route they passed the ders, stealthily advanced upon the encampment~ at northern limits of the plain of Jordan, and~ taking different points. There were no sentinels posted the direction of the lake of Gennessaret, they passed by the enemy to guard the passes, and when they ~Iong its shores; crQssing the tributary streams of met on the summits and at the openings of the Jor4an they followed the course of that river i~tp to defile, they flanked out right and left. Then rose its very head waters. The victorious army of the the battle-cry, which reverberated from rank to enemy was still before them, and they hurried their rank, "the sword of Jehovah and Abram," and marches~ ~nly camping at night. for refreshment with every sword drawn, and shields ~nd lances and rest. ~Che spirit which actuated Abn~m seemed glittering in the light of the moon, thei~C14ot army to have been communicated to all the confederate rushed to the onset. So sudden was the shock of forces. His trust was in his God, and he was nerved war, and so unprepared were the midnight revelers by superhuman courage to advance upon the foe. for defense, that they fell in great numbers, and Already had the army marched a distance of one the only concern that seemed to actuate the entire hundred and fifty miles, and were nearing the bor- arniy was how to make their escape. Never was,: ders of Syria. Believing that the enemy could not stratagem more successful, never was victory more be far off, spies were sent in advance to reconnoiter complete. Terror-stricken they fly in confusion, the ground and ascertain their position. It was not and those who succeeded in making their escape long until the messengers returned with the tidings fled into the deserts of Syria. Multitudes were that the army of Ohederlaomer and his allies was taken as prisoners of war, and all, the wealth of the encafriped in one of the defiles of Mount Lebanon, spcAls of the conquering army, of which, they had reveling in the spoils of their successive victories, drained Palestine, became the property e4 .bram and wholy unconscious of any danger. 9~x~d his co~ifederates. Abram called a council of war, and skilfully 4 2 K>Lot and his family were saved, toge1~her with arranging all the forces as command~r4n chief, it many of the nobility and citizens of the five cities was agreed that they should approach as near as of the plain. The army having me~ with such possible the covert of the enemy, and wait until the signal success in achieving its object, organized a first watch of the night before making an attack. TIlE ASTROLOGER OF CIIA.LDEA. BATTLE OF T~*~ E~J~G8. detachment of chosen men, and made preparations to the left and pass through the hill country. It on the following morning to pursue the defeated was not necessary; now that the great object of the kings. The route taken by the main body of the expedition was accomplished, that the army should army that could be collected after the battle, was resort to forced marches, and hence they took their known to Abram, for he had sent spies after them. leisure, seeking the most suitable places for encamp~

/ Immediate pursuit was given, and having but the ment. After such a fatiguing march, and arduous advantage of a few hours,, it was overtaken at Hobah but successful battle, the qflicers and soldiers needed Dot far from Damascus. A h~t and desperate con- refreshment and rest. On these occasions Abram flict ensued in which the kings were again van- wO3lld take Lot and his family into his tent, and quished, and fled, leaving the remainder of the spoil h6urs were spent in hearing them rehearse their his.. a prey t9~the victoriou~ cohort of Abram. tory since the separation, ~and the adventurous~ Abraini~is now distant from Gomorrah one hun- incidents connected with the fatal battle a~ Sodom dred and sixty miles, and from Mamre by that and their captivity under Ohederlaomer a~d his route, two hundred. So completely dispersed and allies. The recital of many things connected with broken were the forces of the enemy, and so little life in Sodom, and the trials and hardships endured was the probability that they would be able to rally by the family while in captivity, wa~ painful to >ag~in, or attempt to reconquer the territories through Abram, and he labored to effect a re-union of the which they had passed, that Abram thought proper families, promising them full protection and every to return to the main army, and collecting all the blessing they desired, in his mountain home at Mamre. l3ut, alas, Lot's heart was too strongly captives and spoils, to make preparations to ~return wedded to Sodom and its pleasure-seeking, profli- to~ the cities %f the plain. He was encouraged in gate inhabitants, to induce him., to Entert~hi with this by the signal interposition of Divine Provi- proper regard the kind proposal. His wife and dence in ~is behalf, and on joining the army which daughters, too, had formed ~sso~iations which they he had le(t on~the sfdes of Lebanon, his suggestions could not think of exchanging fora country home. met with an unanimous approval from his compan- At length the army approached the ancient city ions in arms. In a short time the victorious army of Salem pear to the mount which was ~a1led was on its march home. Moriah. It was a lovely spot. A peaceful vale On their way back the nearest and most practi~~ formed by the aforementioned mountain and another cable route was to leave ~eunessaret and~the Jordan t 94 94I3ATTLE THEASTROLOGER OFOFCHALDSA. TH~ KINGS. 95 on the east, which was crowned with olive trees, bread, and in the other a cup of wine. "Surely," spread out its inviting bowers to the toil-worn army, thought Abram, "this is a celestial visitant, the and here they pitched their tents and encamped for angel of Jehovah himself." .A~pproaching the tent, the night, among the clustering vines and oversha. Abram advanced to meet him with a firm and confi~ doing olives of the valley. A silvery stream dent step. Then "the priest of the most high God" wound through the valley, reflecting the hues of the presented to Abram the bread and the wine, while beautiful flowers which grew upon its margin and the mysterious person pronounced the following eating their fragrance on the evening air. The benediction: whole valley, and the sides of the mQuntains, Ac "Blessed be Abram of the most high God who is their very 8ummits, were clothed with flowers of the possessor of heaven and earth, and blessed is the most enchanting hues, and trees of the ittmost gyace most high God, who hath delivered thine enemies and beauty. It reminded Abram of Eden, in his int&th3* hand." own land, where he had such a glorious vision at Then was it known to Abram wh~ the stranger the ceremony of the worship of the god of day. was, for though by name Melchezedeck, which in Early on the following morning, while th~ sun the Hebrew tongue meane th king of Salem, or was gilding the tops of Olivet and reflecting its police of Peace, yet had he a name which is above mellow glory on the valley below, as Abram was every name, a priest and king forever, without be- engaged at his devotions in his tent, he was startled ginning of days or end of years. He had communed at witnessing a form descend into the vale, dressed with God, and the light and glory of that hour cone in the most gorgeous apparel, with a priestly miter stituted one of the happiest reminiscences of his on his head. For sumptuousness of vestments he eventful but faithful life. A divine revelation unto had neve~witnessed any thing, even in the magnifi- him, after this manner, had never been ~ade to cent palace of the 1~ing of Nineveh, or the temple Abram before. The wonderful person before him of the piiests in J~di~ylon, that excelled those worn was the prophet, priest, and king, infallible, perfect by the mysterious stranger. He approached Abram and everlasting, and, a greater than~ Abram and all with dignity and grace. An unearthly radiance the kings of the earth, and to him the patriarch shone from his countenance, and a smile of inimi- presented a tenth part of all the spoils of the enemy table sweetness played over his calm benignant as a grateful offering to God for his interposition in f~atui*es. In one hand the stranger held a roll of hi~ behalf. THEBATTLEASTROLOGER OF OHALDEA.OF THE RINGS. 9~7

Pleasant and delightful as it would hdve -been for were large quantities of cattle which had been taken the returning arms' to have tarried longer in this from the inhabitants, and the, ~urrounding nations peaceful ~ it was necessary that they should i~e- through which Ohederlaomer had pa~d~ with his sume their march 'on the following morning. We army. shall not detain the reader by a recital of all the The magnanimous proposal of Abi~am to return events connected with the march from Salem to the spoils of war, which of right belonged to him Sodom. Suffice it to say, that in a short space of and his confederates, was ~met by the generous re- time, passing along the valley of the Jordan they fusal of' the 'kings to receive any. portion of it, all entered the rich and fertile vale of Siddim. The they asked was the restoration of the captives of king of Sodom, on hearing of their arrival in the war. ~'To this AbI~am replied, "I have sworn to the country hastened out to meet the approaching army. God of heaven, that I will4 ot take from a thread The released captives shouted aloud for Jc)y *hen even to a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take any the sight of their native city burst upon their view. thing that belongs to 'others, lest it should be said, Many of them, doubtless, thought when they were 'Abram hath gained' his riches by force and arm~. taken captive that they were leaving their home and All that I ask is that which the soldiers have eate~, their kindred forever, but Providence had ordered and the portion that is justly due my confederates, otherwise, and by the powerful arm of a chieftain Aner, Eschol and M~mre."' The captives from unknown in the annals of war, they were rescued the neighboring states of Palestine were sent, every and restored to their l~omes and friends. The king man, to their homes, with the portion of the- spoil of Sodom received Abram and his confederates with which had been taken from each. every demonstration of respect. The spoils of the Great were the rejoicings in the cities of tiie plain. cities, 4~onsisth1~g, in part, as we have already seen, All the kings and nobles did obeisance ~p'~Abram, of great teasur CS) were brought back with the cap and such was the respect and esteem in which he tives1~ and preparatF~ns were made by the generous was held that they would ha~ve inade~ him mQnarch patriarch to re~store~ them to the respective cities to of the land of Palestine, but he refused the scepter which they belonged. To this end a council of the at their hands. God hapug already given to him ~kings was called and the treasures presented, that the entire country, he chose not to~ accept any dis~ ea4~ might claim the portion belonging to their tinction or inheritance from mortals, preferring respective provinces. In addition to the treasure stand in his lot and obey alone the directions of 7 4

4

A871~OLOG3~L OF OflAU~EA. 9, THE BATTLE OF THE KINGS. that divine voice which called him fron~ his ~otto Many ha4 been the fears, and dark the forebodings In of the ChaI4~es, and from the temple and of the devoted Sarai, and many and, earne had p&la of~ bylon to this then unknown lend, a been her prayers for the successful retui~~f ~. am. stranger ~nd a pilgrim. For him there were to be Nor did she hear of anything connected with his higher, holier manifestations, eoiinected with the fate or that of his army, until, on a clear bright destiny of nations yet unborn, and his faith iu ~he mor~iing, after rising from her devotions, her heart divine promise assured him, that through his seed, was made to leap for joy, a&from her tent she be- though yet ehildl6ss, all the nations of the earth held floating in the distance the victorious banners were to be blessed to the end of time. of the returning aA~my. Calling her maids, she has- The army was disbanded, and the confederates tened out, with timbrels and song, to meet her of Abram returned with their portions of the spoils beloved spouse and his brave soldiers. It was a to their respective provinces. joyous meeting. Abram sprang forward and clasp- At length the day arrived for Abrax~i's return to ed in a long and rapturous embrace the beloved his home in Mamre. He had not heard from his Sarai, and all partook of the general joy. Mamre, ~loved Sarai and household since entering upon his with its tents, never looked more beautiful, nor di4 successful expedition, and he was anxious again to ever the mountain plain ring with louder notes '~f embrace the wife of his youth and the idol of his gladness than on that auspicious day. heart. Collecting together his servants, now no longer herdsmen, but well trained soldiers, they entered upon theii~ march. Vast multitudes, inclu- ding th~ kings and nobility, escorted them from So- dom, and~4~ the triumphal procession moved through the streets, and passed over the plain to ascend the mountain, loud~ shouts of victory rent the air, while from every toitgue was heard the exclamation, "Long live Abram, the servant of the most high 4 possessor of heaven and earth, who hath de- d our enemies into his hand; and long live Amer and Esehol and Matrire, his faithful friends and allies."

4

A VISIT 0) THE ANGELS TO SODOM. 101 *In connection with this, another thought of a distrustful character, took possession of his mind; so true it is that kindred thoughts, be ~ey pl~sant CHAPTER VI. or painful, generally associate themselves together, VISIT OF THE ANGELS TO SOD OM. and pass in succession before the mind. He had waited long for the fulfilment of the promise made ON 0118 of those calm,, q et evenings peculiar to to him in Chaldea, before he left his native city and the rural districts of Palesti e, as Abram was sit- which had been renewed to him since his arrival in ting in a groye engaged in me station, and pleasant Palestine. He had been for many years a wanderer, i~eminiscences came thronging upon his mind, in and both he and his beloved Sarai had their faith which he experienced the most grateful emotkns, tried in the long delay of the promise. God had arising from a consideration of the Divine interpo- ever proven faithftil to him, and he had every reason sition on his behalf, especially ~n his late victorious to believe that the day of joyous fulfilment would expedition, a shade of doubt, if not of sadness, was come, but "h~pe deferred market the heart sick," ~een to pas~ over his placid features. The thought and hope and fear darkly struggled for the mastery.

which rippled The otherwise . calwi surface of his Having had his min.d put at rest in regard ~to 'pro- features, and cast a shadow over, its brightness, was, tection from his foes, he desired additional inflrma- that having been the commander-in-chief of the tion as an en~ragement to his hopes in regard to confederate forces which achieved a victory over the the promise, and he ventured to address the Lord, mighty army of the eastern allies, they would ere "What wilt thou give me, 0 Lord," said he, long rally their forces and seek revenge. Under "seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house such circumstances he could not but feel troubled. is this Eliezer of Damascus. Behold thou hast At this juncture the Almig~h ty appeared to him and given me no seed, and lo, one born in my house is allayed his apprehensions by assuring him that he my heir." had undertaken his defense and would ever reward Heretofore he relied on the naked promise of is faithfulness. The words which came to his ears Jehovah; now it seems he wished to have an addk and carried confidence to his heart were, "Fear not tonal confirmation. by a sensible sign. God cong Abx~am, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great descended to confirm the promise as the patria~tch reward." desired, and commanded him to make preparations 100 for a sacrifice. 102 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. VISIT OF THE ANGELS TO SODOM. 103 Twilight was advancing, the last rays* of the set~ future of four hundred years, embracing the histi~y ting sun had already faded away in the west, and of his family and their various fortunes, froni their the gia~it trees of Mamre were casting their shadows bondage in Egypt to their final settlement in Pales~ on the ground. First the evening star, and then tine. All the events connected with their wonderful the others in its train, began, one after another, ~o history, during the hundreds of years to come, were take their stations in the sky. Soon the whole spread out as in a vast panorama before his ast~,n' heavens were lighted up with the starry host, and *ished vision. the broad galaxy overhead, formed of innumerable After this had passed, another scene presented suns and systems, seemed like the avenue of angels, itself to the entranced patriarch. l3etween the through which they entered the portals of heaven. parted victims, slain for sacrifice, there appeared a While Abram stood beside the sacrifice which he smoking furnace and a burning lamp. These were had. prepared, and, as he was w~6nt, gazed on the the symbols of th~e Divine presence, and by Abram bright orbs above, a light superior ~to their bright- their nature and~ significance were fully understood. ness gently descended from the parted heavens and The divine promise was'~ now confirmed as it never rested above him. It was the same divine glory had been before, and with it was a confirmation of which had before shed its light upon his vision. Abram's faith, such as ever afterwards kept him "Cast thine eyes now towards heaven," said the from doubt, and prompted him~ u~48r the n~oat dis. Divine voice, "and tell the stars, if thou be able to encouraging circumstances to hope onin full assurauco number them. Thus shall thy children be, 0 of a fulfilment of the promise, in God's own time. Abram!" The soul of the patriarch was filled with When the revelation had ended an4 the 4iviiae bewildering delight as he gazed upon the glory glory had disappeared, the patriarch was awakened above and around him. Deeper and more intense from his mysterious trance as one would awake from became that glory. It settled upon him and filled a quiet slumber. The light and glory had departed, his senses with a rapture insupportable to a mortal the smoking furnace and the lamp were gonet All nature. Abram was entranced. The material world was still. The moon had ris,~n and walked4 in was shut out from his vision, the star's themselves brightness among the stars . All nature s~ew~ed lie jaded away in the ineffable light, and he was lost to be enjoying a calm repo~ifter being the silent wli ~ ness of ~ scene such as it had never beheld 6ofo& all but the spiritual world around him and within the ~pot~ and, ~alks him. Before his spiritual vision now spread out the Abram turns away slowly from I

104 TIU~ 4~TROL0GICR OF O~1ALDEA. VISIT OF THE ANGELS TO ~0POM. 105 towards his habitation. Away in the deep shade of firmed by the most wonderful signs. The strange the woods he beholds an object approaching. It and wonderful device which she conceived, Was was a slencter, graceful form, not unlike his beloved this, namely, to give her favorite handmaid, Hagar, Sarai, and yet it is not the idol of his heart, for he to Abram for a wife in a second and subordinate knew too well her step to be deceived in this. A capacity. She was now well stricken in years, and nearer approach shows it to be the dark-eyed Egyp~ her faith could scarcely prompt her to believe that tian maid, Hagar, whom Pharaoh had presented to she would ever have a child. She would therefore Sarai as her attendant at the harem. As she came obviate this difficulty, by giving up Hagar to her near she e.xclaiin~d, "Is this my Lord? My mis- husband, that the child which should be the result of tress is anxious for thy return, and from the lateness this temporary union, might be adopted by her and of the hour liath sent me forth to find diee." It was made the child ~f promise. Such were the thoughts not long until he ein~raced the ~uxious one, and and reasoning ~f Sarai, but little did she dream breathed into her listening ear the bi~ruing thoughts that she was mingling, for herself ingredients in a of his heart, re-assuring her that she should yet fold cup of sorrow which she would have one day to in her maternal arms the hope of the world. drain to its very dregs. Her Egyptian maid should Notwithstanding all these assurances, as well as have ever stood before her as a monument and what she had herself experienced of the divine regard memorial of that unhappy journey to the court of in working out deliverances in her behalf as well as Pharaoh, so deeply fraught with peril to her virtue, that of her husband, her mind was filled with per- but through which Providence had enabled her to plexing doubts and fears in regai'dto:the fulfilment pass unhurt. Censurable as she was for her conduct of God's word, that she should:': bear the child of in attempting to forestall the designs of Divine promise. Years pass away and increase ~those dis- Providence, still she must not be judged too harshly tracting fears, until at length weai~ied a~d faint pith in the light of modern civilization. Polygamy long expectation, she conceives~-..-as the ever fruitful was allowed in that dark age of the .worhf, and for and inventive mind of , woman is wont to do-.-a many succeeding ages. She had long and earnestly strange device, anyone which, though not positively desired to see her devoted husband realize the grea1~ unlawful in the times in which she lived,'~rasKstill wish of his heart, and none but God knows the li~igh~y questionable, if not dishonorable to her faith, struggles o~ her heart, and the deep, intense and aa.4ist~'usting~ the promise and the oath of God con- bitter conflicts which she endured before she inad~ 106 TH~ M$Tk~OLO(~SU OI~ OHALDEA. I VISIT OI~' TH~V ANG~L$ TO SODOM. 107 uj~ her mind to relinquish~ the idol of her heart to out an exile into the wilderness of Mamre. Tlio~igh another, and the right of becoming the progenitor an outcast, and abandoned by the patriarchal family, of that great and honored line which for many still she was not forsaken of God. Sadly and so~ years she fondly hoped would have hailed her as ~rowfully she wandered about in the desert, not their mother. While therefore, the sacrifice which knowing where t go. She had grievously offended she made evinced great magnanimity of soul, and her mistress, and to return to her seemed impossible; an earnest desire to see the plans of Jehovah con- indeed she felt that rather than do so she would suminated, still it '&as suggested by unbelief in the perish in solitude. Weary and fatigued with walk- divine proiAise, and fraugl~t with peril. No sooner ing she sat down by one of those fountains of water was Hagar raised from the condition of a servant to which break out of the cliffs on the sides of the something like an equality with Ixer mistress than desert mountain. Scarcely had she seated -herself she began to cherish ~the hope that~lie was to be the ere she was s~4rt1e d by a soft and kindly voice favored mother of Abram's posterity'; for she was which pronounced her name. She turned and not igAorant of that which interested her master beheld an angel who continued addressing her, and mistress, and was so often the topic of conver~. "Whence camest thou, and whither art thou going." nation in the patriarchal family. The consequence "I flee from the face of my mistress, Saral." of such imaginings became soon apparent in her con- "Return to thy mistress~ and submit thyself to duct towards her mistress. Instead of regarding her hands, for I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, with more respect and affection the woman who had so that it shall not be counted for multitude. Thou manifested so much magnanimity, and made so great ~halt~ bear a child and shalt call his name Ishmael, a sacrifice of feeling in her behalf, she affected to because the Lord hath heard thy affliction." look upon her with contempt, and began to assume For a moment she stood bewildered, for she knew a supercilious tone in her manners which roused it was the Divine One who spttke to her. The tears the lofty~ spirit of Sarai. Though she had by her came flashing up to her dark eyes like the streams own mistaken policy brought all these evils upon from the fountain whose waters were playing at her herself, still there was a pcint of endurance beyond feet. Obeying the divine directions she turned her meek- which she could not go, and she consequently made steps homeward, and on arriving there, with ;known her complaints to Abram. The result was ness and docility she entered th~ tent of her mis- that Hagar was excluded from the family arid sent tress. 108 108THE A8TJLOLOGER OFCHALDEA. 109 VI~IT 0? THE ANGELS TO SODOM. In process of time the child was born, and Abran1 gave it the name designated by the Lord. Still he coirret~sed with him, saying, "As for me, behold m~ was not the child of promise, though assured that covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father he should be the progenitor of a vast multitude. many nations, neither shall thy names be Abrai~ So far from being the child of promise in whom a~l and Sarai, but Abraham and Sarah, ror a father and the families of the earth were to be blessed, it was mother of many nations have I made thee. I will said of him that "his hand should be against every make thee exceeding fruitful, and nations an&kings man., and every man's hand should be against him." shall come out of thy loins. I will make a covenant Thirteen long years roll sluggishly away, and during between me and thee, and thy seed after thee in all this time no visions of God throw their light and their generation, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and thy seed forever. And I will glory upon tj~e path of the weary pilgrims. No db give unto thee and thy seed, all the la~d of Canaan vine messenger repeated the ass~Irauce of the long for an everlasting possession. This is the covenant cherishe~promise, and the sun of Abram and Sarai which I shall make, and which thou and thy seed seemed fast sinking behind a dark and clouded sky. shalt keep forever. Every man child that is~ among History is silent about the melancholy years passed you shall be circumcised, and it shall be a token of by the patriarch and his wife. Their faith was put a covenant between me and you. As for Sarah, I to the severest test. Abram was now nearing his will bless her and she shall have a son, and thou hundredth year and Sarai her ninetieth. But as the shalt call his name Isaac; and she shall be the darkest hour is just before the breaking day, and as mother of many nation~ I will also establish my man's extremity is God's opportunity, so in the covenant with Isaac at this time ne~xt y~r." After Jehovah again deepest night of their despondency this Jehovah ceased talking with Abraham, the appeared. The two were sitting together in their glory departed f~ om the tent, and the patriarch Spacious pavilion, given up to sad and melancholy arose and taking Ishmae1~, and all that were born in thoughts. Presently a light shone around them, his house, he performed upon them and upon him.' enclosing them as in a circle, and the well known K self the rite of ~circumcision, as' the Lord had com.' voice of Jehovah said, "Walk before me, and be handed. thou perfect, and I Will make my covenant between It is the hour of noon, and under the burning thee and me, and I will multiply thee exceedingly." r At this Abram fell on his face, and Jehovah still guishesays of anin Mamre.Asiatic sun,The every breeze thing floats droops so softly and overlan- 110 T1~ .~STBOWGIR 01' OtALpuf ~ 9~ THE ANGELS TO SODOM. 111 the ~ount~jn as scarcely to stir the lea him of the fulfilment of the Dt~rinecove~ most fragile flower. The flocks are gathe4~h~ in regard to himself and posterity, they made ~eath the shade of overhanging rocks on the mouti. pi~parations for their journey. tam side, or have descended into the vale beside But the hospitality of the patriarch did not end the still 4~aters. The traveler forsakes ~he dusty~. here. 1'he sacred record infy~ms us he took the highway and seeks the shelter of the towering oak, ree angels on their journey. Their destination or finds repose in some neighboTing ~i' dell shady was the cities of the plain. After traveling some grove. The old homestead of The patriarch, ~f distance, one of ~he three (the Lord), informed which we have already spoken, was on the southern Abraham of the object of their visit, which was the portion of the mountain range, about midway be. destruction of these cities on account of their fla~ tween the y~de of Sjddim and the Meditei~raneaii, grant crimes. The heart of Abraham~as touched and from its elevation the spectator had a view of at their impending~ doom; besides, Lot, his kinsman, the whole of the surrounding country for many was an inhabitant of one of these devoted cities, miles. While the venerable patriarch was sitting and must inevitably, with his family, share a common in his tent door, enjoying the refreshing shade cast fate with their population. li~ therefore intercedes by one of the spacious trees by which it was em- in their behalf. Knowifig that thedivine justice did bowered, he was startled by the sudden appearance not require the punishment of the innocent with of three mysterious strangers who had taken their the guilty, as illustrated by the deliverance of Noah station at the foot of the tree. With true patri- and his family when the world was destroyed by archal hospjtahity he immediately rose from his seat, water, he suggests that sparing mercy l~e exercised hasteni~~to the strangers invited them to enter on the condition that a certain number of righteous his tent for purposess of rest and refreshment. At men be found~ But, ah~s, there were not five among this a most interesting . colloquy ensued between all the guilty thousands, that feared God and Abraham and one of them, whom he soon recog- ought righteousness. Expostulation could go no nized to be the Lord, the same divine personage further; he resigned the doomed cities to tl~eir fate that had appeared to .him before, and had spoken and turned his face towards home. words of comfort and blessing. Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboim, as we After the three mysterious personages had parts- have seen, were regal cities. They were uot built ke~ of. the hoepitahities of his house and had at a very early period, as We find no traces Q~them

4 I 1~. THI ASTROLOGER OF O1~ALDRA~* VJ8IT~F THE ANGELS TO RQI~OM. 113 in aike~ history. In the. same chapter o~ Genesis purity, innocence, and sweetness. Xn~win the in which an account of the building of Nineveh, unblushing Wicked~w~&of his neighbors, whose fib ehoboth, d~i1ah, and Resins, occurs, we find.a men~ thy conversation and deeds vexed his righteous s~i4, tion of S~dom and Gomorrali as already existing from day to day, he fe~ed lest the strangers would cities. suffer abuse at their polluted hands. TO offer them Th~y occupied a spacious valley or plain, hemmed the protection and hospitalities of his house was but in by towering moutitains. Through the center of the work of a moment, and he invited them to enter this valley flowed the river Jordan. ]Mvine inspi. hisdwelling and take up their abode with him during ration in recording the beauty and fertility of the their stay in the city. The angels seemed unwilling spot, compares it to the Garden of the Lord, or an~ to comply with this request, and informed~ Let that cient Ed~n.~ This description leaves a wide margin they would stay all night jn the street. At this he for speculation. Notwithstanding the devastation earnestly pressed them to enter his house, and they of war, these cities were filled with an immense finally yielded to his solicitations. population. They were surrounded by extensive Supper was provided by the family, and the ~fields of waving grains oliveyards, vineyards, and guests having partaken, were about retiring to rest, immense tracts of verdure enameled with flowers when a wild, rude shout, as if from an excited mob, of every hue. was heard in front of the dwelling. A large com~ The. sun was just sinking behind the western hills, pany of guilty Sodomites, composed of the -hoary and the lowing~herd we~ returning to their peaceful headed and the .young, cla~iorously den~anded that folds, d4veu. by their attendant shepherds, as the the strangers be given to them. Lot w~~ut of his three stratigers are seen descending the western de~ house closing the door after him, and affectionately clivit.v and directing their steps with rapid pace remonstrated with them, saying, "1 pray you, Awards Sodom. Lot, as an elder in Sodom, sat at brethren, do not so wickedly." All his kind i~' the gate to dispense justice, and the appearance of monstrance and entreaties were in vain. In vain the three mysterious travelers arrests his attention. did he plead the rites of hospitality due to stran~ Their dress, their features, and whole demeanor, gers. One of the mob came up and in a gruff~ angry are singularly striking~ Instead of sensuality and voice, commanded Lot to "stand baek." Just then wickedness, which so strongly marked the bold another of the lewd rabble exclaimed "This follow want~ features of the Sodomites, he beheld angelic came in to sojourn with UR, and he must R~ 8 ~STRQ~*OQ~R OF QHALI~4. 114 T~ VISIT O~' TIt~ A ~QZ~S TO SOD~M. 115 jud ; now we will deal worse with him than with At length the night passed away, the last night 1~he strwt~gers." At this the crowd pressed in upon to Sodom and its sister cities. The grey streaks mi, and came near forcing the door. Just at that of morning were stinging the eastern sky. A lon~ moment one of the angels drew Lot into the house narrow line of light skirted the summit of the eas- and closed the door, and at the same time smote the tern mountain which bounded the plain of the infuriated mob with blindness; so that old and young Jordan. The watchmen were retiring from the walls staggered round in darkness, not knowing where to of ~he city, and the revelers to their homes, sur- go. 'Thus disarmed and disqualified for further feited with debauchery. The only period of stillness attack, they made no subsequent attempts at forcing for the twenty-four hours had come to Sodom; but ~ an entrance into the house. The angels then in. it was the stilliiess that precedes the storm. It was fQ~rmed Lot of the object of their visit, and advised like the hushed stillness which nature inspires pre- him to gather together all his kindred and make vious to the enactment ~of one of ]~ier awful dramas. immediate preparation for leaving the city. He ~ac* The angels. arose, and taking ot,. his wife, and #~rdingly ha~ten7 to their residences. two daughters, the 'only inmates4 the family, they It 'was pow the dead hour of night, the rabble hastened out of the city. On their route, not far from had dispersed and the streets were comparatively the base of the mountain to the south of Sodom, lay deserted, but here a~d there, in lordly palaces, lights the city of Bela, or Zoar. Th~ angels having con- were gleaming and the palaces shook witl~ the heavy ducted the family within sight of this city, said to tread Qf tl~e multitude ~in the whirl of the giddy Lot, "Escape, for thy lif~ look n~ behind thee, dance. AlL ~as mirth and revelry. No sleep till neither stay thou in ~l1 the plain, e8oape to the morn would come uppn the eyes of all those guilty mountain, lest thou l~e consumed." But Lot re- throngs. Alas! that it should prove the long dread plied, "Not so, my Lord; behold now thy servant sitep of death. From street to street Lot hurried hath found grace in thy ~ight, and thou hast mug- on. Finding his relatives, he uttered the warning, nified thy mercy which thou hast showed unto me, j "Up! Get ye ~ut 'of this city, for the Lord will de- in saving my life, and I cannot escape to the moun- it." Instead of heeding' the atroy warning, they tain lest some evil take me, andi die. This city is looked up6n him as one bereft of his senses. With near to flee to, ~n4 it is a little one: 0, let me escape a sad heart he left them to their 'fate, and retur~ied thither, aud~ziy soul s1~al1 live." The angel c~; ~ welling. rented, and' said, "I will not overthrow thui

4 116 . U6VX$ITT~R ASTROLOGER OF OF CHALDEA.TIlE ANGELS TO SODOM. 117 which thou hast spoken, but haste the~ escape flew about wildly, and ceased to sing. All nature thither, fort I cannot do anything until thou art j oined in a wail of mourning, for the day ~of doom $here." At this Lot and his two 'daughters hasten- had come. That cloud was charged with wrath'~ ed on,. but his wife lingered behind. Two of her and presently, as from a thousand batteries, there daughters, with all of her pleasant things, were left poured forth streams of liquid fire, which like burn- behind, and she was loth to leave the idols of her ing lava from a volcano, fell up&n the cities of the plain, and instantly they were enveloped in ~ gen~ Th~ sun was just gilding the stop of the mountain eral conflagration. The palaces and dwellings and which rises above Zoar, as Lot wanted its~gate. It walls, c&~nFosect a~ they were of highly inflammable was/a lovely morning in summer. All nature re- materials,' were alE consumed in the devouring ire; joiced in the light of day. The dew drops which the j~ery plain ignited like inflammable gasp and the heaven shed so gent ly on flower and tree during the wV~Ae valley was consumed, embracing the circuit night, parkedd 1i~e diamonds in the light of the of the cities. The whole area~ to the aifrighted morning sun. The birds sang sweetly us they flit- spectator, looked like a vast cauldron of boiling pitch ted from bower to bower, and filled the groves with on fire, the roar of which made the surrounding melody. All, bu~4~an, was innocent, and all, but mountains tremble. The wif~ef Lot, not heeding man, united in ascriptions of praise to God. the admonition of the angel, but casting long and Scarcely had the whole disc of the sun become lingering loQks towards the idol~ of her heart which visible to the dwellers on $he plain ~re from ~the she left in Sodom, wa~ caught in th4~ outskirts of west, as if from the very ~pths of the great sea, the storm, and to this >day a pillar of salt, detached there arose a dark and atigry cloud, whose fretted from the side of the mountain, near the shore of the borders were seen emerging from the summits of Dead Sea, is pointed out by the natives aS the pil- the craggy mountain which overlooked the valley lar of Lot's wife. from the west. Onward the storm-cloud urged its Abraham, "the friend of God," and the "father way. Soon the whol& heavens were shrouded in of the faithful," after leaving the angels, returned darkness, ~nd blackness covered the cities of the ~ to his home on the highlands of Mamre.# His mind plait~. The wolf of the mountain ra~ri howling from was filled with many overpowering thoughts: the his lair. The eagle s~rea~jng with ght, swept promise of ~e of the celestial strangers in4 egard away4~ her eyrie on high. The birds, bewildered,. to Sarah, and that in his promised son all ;th~f~mi-

I 118 THZ ASTROLOGER OP CHALDEA. lies of th~ earth should be blessed, the descendants of whom were to be as numerous as the stars of f6r multiWde-4he fate of Sodom, and Lot, heaven, QEAPTER VU. his kinsman, all constituted themes of absorbing interest, and produced in his mind the most intense PROMISE FULFILLED. ezoitement. ~ ~Pa~ing a sleepless night, he hastened in the SOUTh of the high plains of Manire, between X~ morning to the highest point of the mountain range, desh and Shur, was Gerar, one of the metropolitanan whk~h formed the southern boundary of Mamre, and cities of Palestine. Soon after the destruction of casting his eye in the direction of the valley of the Sodom and the neighboring cities, from some cause Jordan, he saw immense columns of smoke rising or other, concerning which history and tradition are up and covering th~ whole valley for many miles. both silent, Abraham collected together his numer- It was an awfully sublime spectacle an& filled the ous family and possessions, and removed to this patrii~rch with awe. As he gazed upon the scene city. Strange as it may seem, on his way thither, before him, the smoke, which was so dense, after he conceived the same device wherewith to deceive attaining a certain ~l~4tude settled and appeai~ed like the king Qf Gerar that he had ad opted to deceive a huge blaek m4~n~xuent which had risen up from Pharaoh, in regard to his rela~ic~n to Sarah. The the valley below, filling the entire space and forming longevity of the men and women was such, at that axi, inimense d~ome, the dbase of which was formed by early day, that though Sarah was well stricken~ in the mountaiiis that skirted the valley on either side. years, she had not passed.. lif&s prime, and. still re- To Abrah~%n this was a~ zxWst melanch~Ay sight, and tained her surpassing beauty. Indeed, 14' any thing, he turned a to weep over the fate of Sodom. she was more beautiful than in her youthfull days, age having imparted an expression and character to her oriental features which made her a model of womanly beauty. When th~ family arrived at the city, Abimelech, the king, no sooner saw her than, like the king of Egypt, smItten with her-beauty, he resolved on ta- king her to his embrace. Learning that slae was 119

4 i~49 T~I3 ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. PROMISE FULFILLED. Abraham's sister, he ordered h~r~ to be taken to his Having selected a beautiful region where .l~. palacee for the purpose of making her his concubine. pitched his tents and planted his grove, and where Stie wa~ accord' y removed,, while the king he enjoyed all the added afflue of the king of was making prepa,, tion for .the sacrifice of her vir- Gerar, the long, looked for and eal'nestly desired pe- tue, the Almighty appeared to him in a dream and nod arrived when the promise was to be fulfilled. warned him from committing the iniquitous act by The birth of a child is always an event which awa- as~suring him that if he took to his embrace a wo- kens the de~p fountains of a mother's love, but what nian whose husband was a prophet, he should be pen can describe the sensations which thrill her ~6ul punished with immediate death. In consequence of when she looks upon her first born? A cord is then this in~rposition, th~ kiiig immediately summoned struck which had been untouched before. Whether Abraham to his presence, whom he severely repri- in moments of playfulness when the springs ~of manded for his imposition in calling the woman his young life are gushing with a wild exuberant joy, sister4, when she was his iiife. The prophet alleged or in the more sanguine days of riper youth when that he dia it for his own safety, being apprehensive life opens its gorgeous scenes to view, never before that had it been knowxi she was his real wife, he has she experienced such deep and overwhelming might in order to possess her, have robbed him of 5eD~ations of rapture. Before, she had loved with his existence. He also assured him. that she was an affection sweet as life itself and had felt all the his sister, for though not born of his mother, she bliss of being loved, but now her emotions are of a was begotten by his father. The explanation satis- new nature, at least of a higher nature; her eye fills fied the kings and ~hexes~o~ed Sarah and give many with tears while she gazes, and the blood dances valuable presents to Abraham with a full permission with soft yet rapturous delight through her velns~ fQr bim to kettle in ai~y ~i~t of the land. The Lord In its strength and pow~ that love may be felt had ~ only threatened the king with death, should again, but in its strange, mysterious novelty, never. he violate the chastity of Sarah, but also afflicted What then must have been the feelings of Sarah, him and all the women belongitig to him with a kind as, for the first time, she gazes upon the beloved of impotence. In return for Abinielech's generosity gift of God! They were indeed the feelings of a the. Patriarch prayed that th~ curse of impotency mother, but there were most gJorious associations might be removed from the king and all his women, connected with the birth of her child. It was the and the result was ~hat all were restored to their realization of a long deferred 4ri~pe, the fulfilment of natural power and fertility. WHE A$Ta0LOG~R o.w OaALDEA. FROMIS3 rULrIL~ED. V ~omise that was to embrace in its wide sWeep feelings, and to cast him off was a severe triaI~ t 6 destiny of. the world. A~ she pressed the lovely his faith. Bu~ it was the will of God that thi babe, for the first~ 4ime, to her throbbing bosom, all should be~and he made ready for the departure of the old and hallowed memories of t ~e past, and all stricken mother. The scene the long cherished bop t' the future came crowd- the lad and his sorrow that followed has been p~trayed in vivid colors ing with their gushing glories upon her bewildered upon the canvass, and with deep pathos by the~ pen, ixzi~gination, filling her with unutterable einoti6"ns. as Hagar is represented in subdued sadness turning ~All was joy and gladness in the tents of Abraham. herself away to catch ~ivith te~rfuI eye the tent she A joyous festal day had come, and every heart was should behold no more-the trembling benediction glad. It was the period when the beloved Isaac. of the patriarch father, as, with a gush of grief should be weaned from his mother's breast and re- known only to a father, he presses his boy for the ceive the seal of the covenant, of which hd was the last time to his throbbing heart. pledge. Abraham's chosen men and maid servants The bondwoman and her son started out on their were present to participate at the spacious pavilion weary pilgrimage, friendless exiles in the forest soli- of the Patriarch in the festivities of the hour. The tudes of Beer Sheba. They wandered on till night, dark-eyed Egyptian maid, with her wonderful son, not knowing whither they had strayed; and when was there, and the ceremonies connected with the fatigued and overcome with their weary journey, religious rite were about being performed, when, in they laid down side by side on the dewy earth, be- the sneer and laugh of Ishmael, who seemed to have neath the quiet stars which looked forth like angel been pre-ordained to mar all scenes of happiness by guardians upon the exiled sleepers. Day after day an opposing haj~d, was ~witnessed a contempt for the they journeyed on, penetrating farther and farther child of pi~omise. This aroused the grief and indig- into the wilderiress, and as the anxious mother saw natA~n of the mother, who said to her husband, the scanty provision fast wasting away, a dark$os- boudwoman and for 'the son "Cast out this her son, pect, a frightful image of starvation rose before her of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son." affrighted imagination. Still she shut it out and It was tittered, in a strong, peremptory tone, as it hoped in God. Onward and onward the mother and was notthe first time offense had come through Ha- her bby pursue their journey, but alas, the bread gar. Abraham was sad on account of his son was exhausted,, the water was .gone, beneath their Ishmael. Hi6 bfrtJ~ad awakened the first parental feet w@e scorching sands, ab~v~e, a turning sky.

6 V

MyTHE ASTRbLoGEiR ,OF CHALgEA., PROMXsE FULFILLED.

hTIey had entered thd deert and had gone too far to tones of love, such as only a mother can use, she call.. return. Night came on and the child grew faint. ed him to consciousness and said "Drink my son, He cried for ~read, but he wanted more the water, for God careth for thee." Thus revived, the glad for his swollen tongue and parched lips seemed to mother lay down beside her boy, and refreshing sleep say, "I mtist drink or die." But yonider is a small and pleasant visions imparted new life to modeir clump of trees. "I must hasten to that," said Ha- and son, for God was, with them. It was not long g, "ere iny child die." Taking the precious bur-- until they found subsistence, and in that very witg dn in her arms she bends her steps towards the dernessvwhere Jehovah met Hagar and Ishmael, the. oasis., The head of the boy had scarcely fallen son became a mighty warrior, and it is the posses- uport~is niother's shoulder ere he was fast asleep. sion of his descendants to this day. In proofs~ of Wearied nature could hold out no longer. But his time his mother procured for him a wife of her own arms are cold, arid he breathes heavily. "0, my kindred among the dark-eyed daughters of Egypt, God," said the despairing mother, as she staggered and the exile from Beer Sheba became the wild man forward and laid him down under a shrub on the of prophecy, the father of a 1vandering people, as green bank, "let Ine not see the death of the child." yet unconquered and unconquerable. But more of Going a short distance she fell prostrate on the this anon. ground and burst out into the most passionate ex- Not long after the great festival which was held clamations of grief. by the family of Abrahame and the events which Heaven witnessed that scene of earthly sorrow, we have recorded in regard to Hagar and Ishmael and as the extremity of $~rtals is the opportunity ,~had taken place, the kinggof Gerar, and the captain of Jehovah, there came-trembling on the still night .of his host presented themselves at the door of the air an angel voice, sayiiig, "Arise, lift up the lad patriarch's tent. It appears thpt some- strife had and igold him in thy hand, for I will make him a arisen between'some of the subjects of the king and great nation." She obeyed the Divine voice, and Abraham's servants iu regard to a well of water, spi-inging to her feet quick as thought, she looked and that it had occasioned a strife in which the Sand saw a few feet from her a fountain of water re- Philistines had proven too strong for Abraham's ser- fecting the light of the stars from its pure, mirror- vants. The difficulties connected with this contest like surface. Returning with her bottle filled with had just come to the ears of the patriarch, and he the precious beverage, she raised her son, d with was not, fuch at a loss in conjectuing the object of 47

PROMISE FULFILLED. 127 * THE .&STRQLQG~R O~' OHALDEA. this visit.., The chief o~ptain of th~ host ha4 hini- unto n~e that I have dogged this well." "Be it so," self led on the contest, and fearing lest the wrath ~ai4 the king, and they crossed their hands and of Abrahani~would be roused, and being wel4 aware swore in the presence and name of Go4, everlasting of his power as a warrior, the fame of his achieve.. friendship for each other. After the ceremony was ni~ts iii rescuing the kings of Sodom from the ended, Abraham called the place where the c. - combined forces of the East having reached his ears, nant was made, Beer Sheba, because there both of h~ therefore c6~mes to the patriarch accompanied by them had sworn-and such is its name to this day. the king for the purpose of suing for conditions of peace. Phieol, for that was the name of the captain of the hQst, addressing Abraham, said, in behalf of the king, "God is with thee in all that thou doest. Now, therefore~ swear unto me, by the great Jeho- vah, that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, no~ with my son's son, but according to the kindness that I have dQne unto thee thou shalt d~o unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned." Abraham. then address Ahimelech, and after reproving him on account of the violence used by his subjects in regard to 'the well, said, "0, king, be i& according as~thou wilt, I am ready to *swear." Abimelec.h )replied, "I know not who hath done this thing, ne~% ther had I heard of it until now." All things being in readiness for the cove- nant, Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and he also took seven ewe lambs and set thm before him. The king, not understand- ii~g this last presentation, said to Abraham, "What meaneth this?" He replied, "They are a witness V TH~ TRIAL OP FAITH. 129I~9 ness, and become the m~pdel of faith to~ the~ world, in ~ll time to come. It was not for Abraham alo~ie that he was CHAPTER VIII. to pass through the fires in glorifying his God. His faith was to be an example ~ sli ;~ TITfl TRIAL OF FAITH. generations, and the mode of its trial was to l~ ty- pically illustrative of a great sacrifice thi~ugh which ISAAC, the child of promise, and the pledge of the world was to be redeemed to God. It was de- universal blessing to man, was reared by his mother signed to be the adumbration of an evei~t the most wit~,tenderest solicitude in the nurture and admoni- glorious' th4 t ever came to the world, and the~., fill- tion of the' Lord. For several years nothing occur- ment of which would wake the symphonies of new ~ red to mar the peace of the faithful family, or break harps in heaven and new songs on earth.. It was to ~in upon their joys. All was light and sunshine in create an expectation which would awaken the anx- the tent of Abraham. The young and beloved iety of patriarch, prophet and king, and constitute Isaac had passed his childhood and ~reached the pe- the grand desire of all nations. riod of youth, full of promise, and the idol of his Abraham was offering up his sacri~ce in the gr~va parent's joy. He was not only the hope of their of Beer Sheba. The poet beautifully alludesdo a declining years, but he was destined to be the hope historic fact in the religious exei~cises of the patri~ of the world, as God had promised that in him all archs, when he says, the families of the earth should be blessed. Though no cloud as y~ had cast its shade over "The groves were God's first temples." the~ bright~ scene of patriarchal life which we have There the morning and evening sacrifice would ~been contemplating, yet a time of trial was approach- ascend, accompanied by fervent prayer to heav ing---the last trial through which the patriarch was and there the Great Jehovah, in answer to the simple to be called to pass until he should stand before the faith and in confirmation of the simple worship or- throne on high. As the last and most intense flame dained in Eden, would reveal himself and hold which was to perfect the.gold in the purifying pro- communion with the worshipper, as friei~d holde cess, ~o was this ordeal to develop the perfection of fellowship with friend. None enjoyed amo~e free a faith which in all trials had never failed, and and familiar intercourse with the Almighty thai~lid which was now to shine with transcendent bright- the patriarch Abraham. He was, not ~uly from the I ~8 9 SO 1130THE A$TAOLOO*~R OF CIjALDEA. T~fl TRIAL ~F FAHII. 1~1 of hIt, faith, called "the father ed from him at the Divine comma~id~*ver more to oPhe faithful," but fron~ his frequent and unbroken gaze upon his face again. ~His affeot4c~ns weje now Qomm~jon with Jehovah, he was designated in an centered upon Isaac, the promised child-AThe gift omi~ient sense, "the friend of GQd." of he~v~en. As the child of a glorious destiny, born & a 4 '~ t~was on one of those calm and quiet evenings under a brighter star than all t~e kings~aiid pr~ees which are ~~culiarly adapted to meditation, that the of Chaldea could boast, his faith ~as~ured him4hat patriarch having offered his sacrifice was absorbed that star would not~ set until all the Divine promises in deep nwditation. His prayer had been heard, were fulfilled, and that the same miraculous circuni~ his 4crifice ~ad been accepted~ and the Divine pres. stances whi~h attended his birth would atte~ft his once and glory were around him~ At~Ruch a time life, and Atch over his destiny. ~ the mind enjoys a vivid consciousness of spiritual The reverie of the patriarch at lengthi~"as broken things, and shut off from external objects in its by the Divine voice, which firmly but kindly fell clairvoyant state, beh9lds unseen realities. The upon his ear, calling hinibky name. To the Divine spiritual vision takes in its wide and far reaching call he responded quickly, and said, "Here I am, scope, the past, the present, and the future. Never Lord, what wouldst thou have me do." before did the mind of Abraham enjoy a greater ex- "Take thy son, thine only son, Isaac, and go with altation. The scenes through which he had passed him to Mount Moriab, and otTer him there to me in when God appeared to him on the banks of the sacrifice."'

Tigris, and his / subsequent manifestations as he Did his faith stagger? Not for a moment. 14 ad- ~jeu4eyed from place tp place, associated with the fiil as was the command, he knew it was fronj God w~pdeefii1 providence which had presided over his and all would end right4 He felt firmly convii~ee4 destiny, and the remarkable fulfilment of the pro- that should he obey it, and slay his own son on the mise, were all vividlr before him. His faith, great altar of that mountain, that God would raise him to before, Was strengthened, and realities of the things life again. What Jehovah '~s about to do was as hoped foil', came up before him, and he witnessed, yet wrapped in a mystery which he could not ~6* as it were, the unrolling ot a grand panorama, ~ex- solve, but he was fully~ conscious that he would hibltir4 scenes in the life of his son, as the nations know thereafter when the work was done~ ~ of ~th~ earth were blessed through his instrumeii- He #6se, aniii with unfaltering step and ~ tality. Is el was no more to him. Re had part- h#art returned to his tent, to the smil~ and greet~

/44

4, 4 I

132 THE 4~Z~OLOGPK1~ OF LDEA. "ntb~ TRIAL 07 FA~. 13 ings of hi~ dyed. Sarah 6nd her eon. N~o cloud and his son IsMe, to the ba~eoftb4 taiji, were was on his brew; so far~*m it, the vision ai~d gloi~ ~pmms~nded to tarry ther.dintil they ~shoiild ascend of the, I red grove' were carried into the tent of his its side and offei the sacrifice ujon~Ats su ' 'it; and beloved~ ~and dark and mysterious as was the com return. ~he wood which had been gatlie~d from niad of 4 ovah, ~is unshaken faith enabled him the grove of Beer Sheba and prepared ~the l~rnt to realize a perfect submission and resignation. His * offering, was now placed upon the shoulder of Isaac, experience was too~4~eep in th~ things of God to and the father taking the incense burner, in which ~ause him to falter for a moin9nt, or produce the was the fire taken from the holy altar in the grovo~ sl!~ st s of distrust in the providence ~f God. * he ancLthe son~commenced the ascen the mao1In~ That night he went to rest as only~th0se cail. rest tam. ho resti the arms ~f Jehovah, and the be~$iful ~My father?" visions which came to him in his sleep were only "Here am I, my son." premonitory of the glo*~ftis issue of the trial that "Behold, the fire and4~ wood, but whpre is the awaited him. lamb for a burnt offering ?'~ In the morning he made the necessary prepara- "My son, God will provide a lamb foi a burnt tions for his journey, and taking with him Isaac and offering." two servants, with -th~ necessary beasts of burden, Isaac was too fully instructed in the principles of~ they left for the mountain. It was a three day~ the patriarchal religion, and too thoroughly, ixnpres. y, and when they arrived at the foot of the sed with a belief in them, to question for a mo tam, in the vale which bounds it on the south- the probability of ettoli a provision on the ~ of welt, they called a halt and tarried for the night. his father's God, and they journeyed on thought~illy In the beautiful valley on the other side of this together up the mountain. Having xeachecl The niountainous region, Abraham had pitched his tent summit, and arrived at the very spot pointed out hy before, and it was ,~ he was visited by tjie priest Divine direction, Abrahan~ 4 his son to~stop an ~e most high God, who, as King of Salem, had cast the wood from his shoulder. The pa ~op~ie down to comniune ~th and bless him on~his then sat down th~ ince~eburner and the knife,~itd the. slaughter of the kings on the sides from the stones wl~ich ~~ered the s ~ the ountLebanon. ~mouti~ he reared an altar ou~ which he ~ce ~b The ~e ta who had accompanied Abra1i~, ~crifleial wood.

4

4'

y 4' * 1~4 THE ASTROLOGER OF OflALDEA. T~I~ TRIAL OF FAITU. Bu(wiie *as the viotini? All was now ready, and that iii Beer Sheba had summoned him'I~o this but no la l~i~as to be sean, and indeed, unless God, trial of his faith on Moriah. ~hould~end itAn~ would hardly ~stray so far from "It spoke of peace, it spoke of love, the flock as to come to that wild mountain solitude. It spoke as angels speak above, At j~his cri4s of intense and painful interest on the For 0, it wa~ a.Father's voice part of Isaac, who ~carefully watched 'every move.' Which bade the faithfufheart r~joice." ment of his father, Abraham wikh firm and deliber.. "Abraham! Abraham !" ~te step approached his son, and taking a cord, he "Here am I," responded the patriarch. bouu4 his hands tightly behind him and placed him "Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou upon the altar. any thing unto him, for now I know that thou fear.' The sae~ed historian did not record the farther est God, seeing thou hast not witirheld thy son, the father and the conversation that passed between thine only son, from me~." the scene was enacte4.~ son. The probability~i84hat At this the father quickly cut the cords that a sublime and awful silence, like that in silence, bound Isaac, and looking round he saw a ram caught whioli reigned in heaven when the angel opened the by his horns in a thicket close by, and talking it he or that silence which hung on the lips seventh seal, offered the heaven.'sent victim as a burnt offering to o~f Jesus when, ~s a lamb he was led to the slaughter. the Lord, in the place of hi~ son.' The dreadful tragedy proceeds. The patriarch As the smoke ascended from the altar and rose knife and raises it aloft to smite take ~ae sacrificial up as a grateful and accepted sacrifice to h~a~eu, his& hisonly son, his dear1~ beloved Isaac~ The Abraham realized that the ground whereon l*M~od father's hand trembled not, his heart faltered not, was consecrated, and he called it Jehovah Jireth, as as he proceeded to execute the fearful task. Just as it is said "In the mount of the Lord it shall be the uplifted hand ~was about to descend and enter seen." The poet has most beautifully expressed he heart 'of the vie '~., a voice, clear and loud, the feelings of the patriarch in the description ~f rz~heaven, broke the awful silence which reigned the scene. aro~pd and waked the ech~*s' of the mountain. It wa ~'ce ot, Jehova1~ The same albins~Aring rose up and laid The wood upon the <a~ ~AI~ was done; *z$ 8o&*nu~iating vojee that called bini fr~n TJr ~e stood a moment-and a dee~p quick fln~1~ of the Cbald~s, that conversed with him in Mami~ Passed o'er his countenance, and tben 1w aer~e4

I'

4 4 136 TUE ASTROLOGER OF C8ALDEA.~ THE TRIAL ~3F FAITH. 137 ~is spirit with a bitter strength and spoke- *~ "Isaac Viny only son." --~The boy looked up, mighty achievements were to be effected, a faith in And Abraham turned away his face and wept. the promise and oath of God, which would aff~d "Where is the lamb, my father ?" 0, the tones, them the strongest consolation. It ~Was from him The sweet the thrilling music of a child! that a descendant should spring who would turn How doth it agonize at such an hour! It was the last deep struggle-.-Abraham held aside from the throne and scepter and wealth and His loved, his bca4tiful, his only son, pleasures of the mightiest monarchy in the world, And lifted up his~ arm and coiled on Ood- and embrace a life of reproach and disgrace and toil And lo! God's angel staid him-and he fell and hardship, impelled thereto by a faith which Upon his facet and wept." would overlap the present and fasten as an anchor ~ Such a trial only he could know, and such a faith on the rewards of the future. By this faith men only he could have, and he would have passed that were to quench the violence of flames, escape the trial and clung to that faith if the earth had reeled edge of the sword, stop the mouths of lions, subdue from her orbit, the sun turi~ed to darkness, and the kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain promises, out moon into blood. of weakness be made strong, wax valiant in fight, turn to flight the armies of the aliens. Through this The work was done, and the faith of Abraham, like gold seven times tried in the fire, came out per. faith also women were to be nerved with an unwont' feet. There was no speck or slightest alloy in his ed courage, and were to receive their dead raised to spot~e~s, transparent character. His faith was ac- life again, and even to brave tortures, not accepting 4o~inte~d to him for a righteousness which all the release therefrom, that they might receive~ a letter work8 of man could not by any possibility secure, resurrection. But time would fail to tell of ~allits and he thus was made the type of the faithful in,all glorious results as the ever progressive developments ages, and the great father to the church of a prin- of it should be exhibited to the world. ciple which Was to con~gtute the condition of accep- But the heavenly communication was not ended. ~ance with God and the agency through which all Again the Divine voice is heard resounding through spiritual good was to come t~ man. Springing from the solitude, "Abraham! Abraham 1" hiin'.wasi~o~come forth ~ §eed, numerous as the stars "Speak, Lord, for thy servant hearthh" immedi- of 4eaveu~who~ shQu1?~i ~hibit as their grand>char- ately responded the patriarch. aeteriatic, and tha agency through, which all theix~ "By myself have I sworn, t1i~t because thou hast done this thing, and thou hast not withh~1d thy son,

4. I 4

THE AS ~UQLOGER OF CHALDE4. THE TRIAL Qji' FAiTH. 139 thine only ~on, from me, in blessing I will bless With firm. and elastic step, though well stricken~ thee, and in multip1ying~'T[ will multiply thy seed as in years, the venerable patriarch with his heaven the stars of 14~e heaven and as the sand which is appointed son, descend Lhe mountain, and taking upou the sea shore, and thy seed shall possess~the their servants resume their homeward journey. gates of his enemies, and in thy seed shall all the Whether the nature of this journey was known to 4 nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast Sarah or not,~th~ sacred historian does not inform obeyed my voice. us, but she doubtless waited with anxiety the return Isaac had been from his earliest years instructed of the father and longed ~igain to behold the face of in the things~of God, had always been present at the her dearly beloved son. Though the time was short family devotions, and,0 as a young priest consecrated he never had been absent from her sight so lang be- to the sacred service, had assisted his father at the fore,' and when~he bounded into the tent he was in- holy altar, but never before had the voice of Jehovah stantly caught in the maternal arms and folded to fallen upon his ear, and while he was made a parta- the loving heart of the mother. ker of his father's faith, he was also permitted to Soon after Abraham's return from the sacrifice on witness a confirmation of that faith in the interposi- Mount Moriah, he received intelligence from his tion which had been made in his behalf, and the pro- brother Nahor, whom he left~ in the city 6f Ur. It mnise and oath made to his father. Heaveui4nspired, had now been a long time since he had left his na- he felt a new life spring up within him, and the always tive land, with it~ magnificent cities, for a country bright countenance of the youth shone with greater life in the land of Palestine. Though he often radiance than ever it~ had done before. It was to thought of Nineveli and Babylon, and the scenes of him ax era in his life never to be forgotten, and ser- his childhood and youth in Ur, With the cii~cum- ved more powerfully than all parental instruction to stance~ connected with his conversion from idolatry, form a character which was to be connected with and his ~al1 to leave tIi~ land for an unknown coiin~ some of the ~nost eventful scenes that ever occurred try, still he had no desire to return~ lie had proven in the life of man. Ishmael was now a wanderer in the great Jehovah thus far, and his faith was more than the 4eserts of Arabia, the child of a wild and fear- ever strengthe~nedin regard to the future. The d&ys ful destiny, but Is#ac was ~ partaker of his father's of his youth had been days of blessedness and bliss hdt*i and~ hope, h child o~( the most glorious promise, uninterrupted. Prosperity and happiness had atten- and whose life was to be identified with the destiny ded his riper years, and now that old age had come of nations to the end of time. I *

'4 * 140 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. tipon hi~u he realized that his lastilays were his best days in the service of his God. Though his brother still chose to dwelt in Chaldoa, the most of his de- scendants had removed to Pa&an Aram, in Canaan, CHAPTER4X. and it was through these that the patriarch beard 4 * of the condition and circumstances~ o~ him and his GL~YOM AND~ GLADNESS. family. His children h~ grown up and married. Among the Dumber of th~kse who still re~tded in the IsAAc had passed the years of his minority and city of Ur, was Bethuel, the youngest son of Nahor, had become arnan. But still h~xesided at the pa- whose~union with a fair daugh'tey of Mesopotamia ternal mansion, the old, homestead to which his had been blessed with a child of the most remarliable father had returned in Mamre, and was the stay and ipromize. Her name was Rebekah. She had already staff of the declinifig years of his devote&~ther passed ~he days of her childhood, and was mother. Old age had brought feebleness to the blushing, as the virgin rose, into the maturity ~f $*~abs of both, and the inclined head and tottering womanhood. Reared under the most genial circum- step halted to the tomb. More especially was this stances, she possessed a native grace and sylphlike the case with th~ mother. She who in her younger form. From a lofty brow fell on each side of her days was the most beautiful of all Oh~ddea's neck &urls of dark, flowing, glossy hair. Her eyes daughters, and who, even in mnturer years surpassed were large and black, beautifully overarched by the beauty of Egypt's dark~.eyed maidens, and whose brows of jet, as if penciled with a master hand. dangerous charms had more than once involved Her complexion, though tinged by an oriental sun, Abraham in difficulties, s~ich as only God could de- was yet elear and transparent. She was tho pride liver hi~ from, was now wrinkled and bent with hoary of the maidens~ of Ur, and the young men would years; but still age li'~d not eft'aced all the lines of se&l~ her for a companion at the sacred festivals. beauty from that. once bright and yet happy counte- nance. There still lingered enough to show that she had been past in a finer mould than is usually awarded to the lot of mortals. In the estimation of the patriarch she was a princess still, and none

could with her cow~pare. - But' she had lived out her 141 4

142 THE ASTROLOGER 'OF CHALDEA. GLOOM AND GLADNESS. 143 ~llotte time, and her earthly race was run. Calmly was only the casket which contained th~ 4rnmort~ and gently she sunk to rest, gem, and tb~e spirit of the beloved was with angels "As 'fades~ a si~inmer cloud~away, and God. ~Phoug~ she the fah~est 6f Mesopotaniia's As sinks the gale ~when storms are o'er; daughters, who had~ grown up under the eye of As gentI~ shu~~ie eye'of d~ty; Abraham in her native lan4, had clung to~ him in As dies a wave along the shQ~." all the changes of his eventful life, the companion 4 A holy quiet, like that of creation's first Sabbath of his wanderi~igs, th~ partner of his faith, ~id t morn~ pervades the plain of Mamre. 'It was the last 'comfort of his life, would tread no more among the day of summer. The groves and fields of Mamre groves and flowers of Mamre, she had entered wear a serene And quiet aspect; and naught but the the heavenly inheritance, and woiI~d be permitted chirping of the grasshopper and the coo of -the to glide forever moui~ful dove were heard to treak the stillness. "Among the bowers and by the streams * The patriarchal encampment seemed solitary and On heaven's delightful shore." deserted, and the air of stillness which reigned The light of the tent was gone, and every bead around, save when some servant of the household was bowed with sorrow, while every eye was be~ would be seen moving. noiselssslyaround with sad dewed and dimmed with tears at the loss. The nu- and dejected countenance, gave unmistakable to- merous servants of ihe family, old and young, were kens that some sad calamity had fallen upon the deeply affected at the loss of their mistress, and family of the faithful. And such it was. Death wherever the sad intelligence went, it carried had invaded the ~~p~ent, and the beloved and mourning, for beautiful Sarah w no ore. The partiarch's face "None knew her but to love her, is darkened with sorrow as he bows beneath the Rone named her but to praise." chastening rod in the tent of affliction. Alas, In the territory on the north of Mamre and ad- to him the sad but certain crisis had come, and j9ining it, was a rocky cavern, which nature seemed stricken with grief, his sad, heart pours forth his to -have hewn out as a place of sepulcher. It was sorrows. In all, however, there w~ a quiet resig- known by tha~ame of the cave of Machpelah. nation to the will of God, which co~&ld not admit of This grotto belonged to prince Epliron the Jiittite. boisterous grief. Though that beautiful form, pale Being a beautiful and secluded spot, it occurred to as the Snow, w~s devoid of life and motion, yet it Abraham that he would visit the neighboring prince, I ~144 TIThI ASTROLOGER OF OHALDEA. I GLOOM AND GLADNESS. 4 a~id if possible , purchase the tract of land on which give thee money for the field, and thou I~lu0t take it stood, as a family sepulcher. After the oriental the price." custom of mour~ing~for the dead was ended, he~ pro. Th~ii said Ephron, "The field is worth four hui~- needed to visit the prince and ~inake, the application dred shekels of silver, but what is that between me for the~ burial pIa~e. On his way he met a multi- and thee.. Take it I pray thee, and bury thy dead." tude ~ the people of the country, who were his Abraham counted out the money, and haudit~git eigh~ors, and who having1iear~ of the sad cala- over, received from Ephron a title to the 11441 emi. mity, were ~oming to offer condolence. When he bracing the rocky grotto and the surrounding grove, made known to t~m his desire in regard to Mach- to be his as a possession forever.'~; pel~h, they reiiiied, All the preparations having bee~ made for the "Hear us, my lord, thou art a mighty prince funeral, the numerous servants of the house joiued among us, In the choice of our sepulchers bury in procession with Abi'ahani and Isaac, accemj~abied thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his by the surrounding princes,' and vast multitudes of sepulcher, that thou mayest bury thy dead." people from all parts of the country, an4 Sarah was ~ "Iask not," said Abraham, ~'for any place ex- borne to her rocky tomb amid the lamentations of ~ cept Machpelah, and if pu will intreat prince thousand voices. The last sad offices being paid to Ephron for me, that he will sell it to me, I will pur- the dead, Abraham turned with his weeping Ist~ao, chase it as a possession forever." and walked trembling to his now desolate home, to A messenger was soon dispatched, ~ind it was not wander~ awhile longer as a pilgrim ana sojourner, long unlil Ephron was in the presence of the illus- and then after filling up his allotted time) to be laid trious patriarch. No sooner had he arrived than in by the side of 9ie loved one in the rocky sepulcher the hearing of all the people~~ assembled, he said, until the resurrection morn. "My lord, I will not 'sell thee the field. wherein is Sarah was now an inhabitant of heaven. Her the cave of ~iachpelah, but in the presence of the earthly pilgrimage had ended, and she had taken up son's of my people IL will give ~it to thee forever her abode among. the spirits of the saints in light. as a place of sepulcher." The earthly tabernacle was dissolved, but she had At this, Abraham bowed respectfully before all, assumed a spiritual form, and glided among the and said, shining ranks of angels and spirits glowing with a "If thou wilt give it, I pray thee hear me; I will beauty and filled with a capture unknown to any 10 140 ~tHE ~?ROL0G~R OF CHALDEAC Ii.1:,; ea$~hly Eden. That voice which she heard only occasionally, but which always made her heart bound with joy, now filled her soul witl~ ceaseless C1IAPTE1~ X. delight. That form divine, which only once she was. permitted to gaze upon when it was veiled in hu- THE MESSAGE TO UR. mai~ ~, now was ever before her in unveiled glory, such ~norta1 eye could not behold. She was in' IN the home of the patriarch all things *Ore an he~yen, where she saw aitd heard and knew all that aspect of loneliness. The wife and mother had been her h4art had d~sire4 on earth, and as from her borne to~ her last resting place in the silent tomb. h~aven1y sphei~ she beheld her weeping ~coinpafliofl H4 cheerful smile no longer lighted up the tents of and hei~ beloved son, she rejoiced to know that in a Mamre, and her encouraging voice to father and son ~brt~time both would join her in the coinmunings was no longer to be heard in this world. As Eden ~ that better world. itself would have been a wilderness without woman as a companion for man, so Mamre bmust be desol. e without a second princess to grace its 4wellings, and rule over them as mistress of the household. While on an expedition to Damascus in Syria, Abraham had obtained a most valued servant by the name of Eliezer. From his fidelity and the great interest which he took in all things pertt~ining to the patriarchal household, he had long since been promoted to the office of steward, and to him be.. longed the oversight of all the immense treasures of the patriarch, as well as the control of all the servants and the affairs of the family in general. Isaac, the child of promise, had ripened into a proud and vigorous manhood, and the father desired, be.. fore he should go home and be no more among the living, that his son should form a matrimonial 147 II

148 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. THE MESSAGE TO UR. 149 connexio~i with some one of his kindred in that far obeyed; but perhaps the one I may select will not off land from whence, at the Divine command, he be willing to come with me to this land. Shall I had journeyed. He desired not that any" alliance then take Isaac to Mesopotamia ?" should~ be formed with the inhabitants of Canaan, "Nay, Eliezer, thou shalt never ta~ke my son or that any of his blood should flow through the thither. The splendor of the cities of Ohald~a, and veins ~a nation whose wickedness manifested itself the seductive arts of her priests and asti~ologers I in pri~ring the worship of a dumb and senseless fear would dazzle his eyes, corrupt his heart, and idol, to that of the one living and true God; and lead him from the worship of Jehoirah." Whatever hence he was concerned to witness before his depar~ thou doest, take him not thither, I adjure "thee.~~ ture from e~*rth, an event which he knew would be "By what light my lord, shall I be guided in my fraught with the most important consequences to a search for the one who is to be the wife of Isaac ?" posterity whi~h was destined to be numerous as the "The Lord God, who took me from my fa1~her's ~ars of heav~eu for multitude. house inUr, and from my native land, who spol~e Calling the faithful ]~liezer into his presence, to me and promised me this land, confirming it by ~ing fully assured that he could be trusted with a an oath, and thus, by two immutable things iii matter of such great moment, and knowing that he which it was impossible for him to lie, hath ratified was interested, not only in what pertained to the his covenant, will send before 'the~ his angel to family, J~ut in the perpetuation of the patriarchal guide thee in the way. religion which he embraced, he addressed him in "But if she come net, my lord, 'what then ?" the following oriental style: "Thou shalt be free from thine oath." q "Eliezer, my faithful servant, place thy band "All is well." So saying he took th~ oath, and under my thigh and swear by the ILord Jehovah of immediately went to work to make preparations for heWiren and earth, that thou wilt not select a wife a departure. for my son Isaac from among the daughters of the The city of Nahor, Abraham's brother, was Ur, Canaanites, in whose land we dwell, but swear unto situated as we have already seen, between the rivers me that thou wilt go into my own country, Chaldea, Euphrates and Tigris. It lay in the ~midst of the and from among my kindred thou wilt make the plains of Aram, and hence in Scripture is called choice." Padan Arain. M~mre was four hundred miles dis "I will my Lord. Your commands shall be tant from this place, and between them were thick.. I

160 .THE ASTROLOGER- OF CHALDEA. THE MESSAGE TO U. 151 less deserts and towering mountains. Eliezer took glare at departing, like a broad eye'of wrath, upon ten camnels and several servants, with all things its God-smitten waters. The bird of Paradise, necessary for the journey, anid departed. Various which was wont to nestle in the bowers of this once presents for the kinsinan of Abraham, together with r"garden of the Lord," had sought another home, ~many and elaborately wrought jewels of finest gold and no living thing was seen to grow upon its banks, for thegfir~ one, were all provided; and never was or move among the dark, overhanging, craggy cliffs, cavalca4 more richly freighted than the one which which frowlied back the shadows of the sullen tide. was now leaiting the plains of Mamre for the land Tide,-it had none: all was dead, motionless, as its of Chaldea, rocky shores. All that remained of life was the The direction which the caravan was to take lay small, half-deserted village of Zoar, on the'side of south-eastwardly, and the site of the doomed cities the mountain which the~ camels were now descend- was in their route. On~ the evening of the first day ing. Lot was still here with his daughters, all the train descended the mountain which skirted on -that was left of Sodom, to wonder at its unhappy the west and south the plain of Sodom, and as they fate, and drop the tear of sympathy upon its ushes, cast their eyes upon the valley below, they saw Farther down the mountain, and near to the w'te' stretching away for many miles, embracing the edge rose an incrnsted monument, dark and shape- whole' valley eveii up to the base of the mountain, less, like a beacon on some dangerous coast to warn a vast lake of dark, gloomy motionless waters. Eli.. of wreck and ruin. After gazing upon the sad ezer had seen this valley before, when it was covered .sight, Eliezer turned in to the gate and was kindly with rich pastures and dotted with magnificent received and entertained by his master's kinsman cities. With his master he had gazed upon it when during the night. the Jordan flowed midway through its living green, Early the next morning, before the sun, had as- and the bright .rippling waters sparkled in the~ sun- cended the mountain which rose up from the farther shine or reflected thie milder, light of the moon and shore of the Dead Sea, the train was in motion, and stars.. But now, alas, the verdure and flowers and following the coast in a southerly direction a short trees and~ cities were gone, and from the surface of distance, it entered the wilderness, and thence ta- that dark, leaden, stagnant sea there was no light or king an easterly direction, as pointed out by the beauty. All was desolation. The sickening .sun angel guide, the company traveled on over the drift- looked wan, as muffled in its vapors it cast its lurid ing sands and through the craggy defiles of Arabia THETHE~8TaOJ~O~Ea MS5SAQEOFCk~ALDEA. TO US. 15~ P4tr~a. It was a long and. tedious journey, and leisurely to their homes and the maidens, as was the route was such, pei'haps, as never had been the custom of olden time, were seen to sally forth tz~ve1ed before. An angel was their guide, how- gleefully with their, pitchers from the massy gates, ~ireP~ and we may readily presume that it was the to draw water from the wells of the surrounding u~arreat and .most practicable route that could have grottos. heon taken. How long they were in performing the Directed by the angel, Eliezer drew up his train journey, we know not, as sacred history is silent on at ~ne of these, wells, and dismounting, he com- the subject. Nor is it important that we should manded all the camels to kneel in semi-circular know: suffice it to say, that at length the caravan form, with the servants at their side. .This being descended a gorge of the mountain which they had done, he advanced a short distance and falling pros- crossed in their journey into the broad and fertile trate upon the green sward, he exclaimed, ' 0, Lord plains of Mesopotamia. God of my master Abraham, I pray thee send me The broad, bright disc of an Assyrian sun, was good speed, and show kindness to my master, Abra. partly concealed by the distant horizon as they ham. Behold, I am here by the well of water, and came in sight of the long sought city. Its black the maidens of the city have come hither to draw square temple towering high above the city walls, water. Let it be, 0 Lord, that the one whom I on the summit of which perpetually burned the sa- shall ask to let down her , pitcher and give me to wed fire, could be distinctly seen as if painted drink, let the same be the chosen one whom thou against tile glowing sky. All nature wore an a hast selected for thy servant, Isaac. Then shall I of calmness aud beauty-the grain, still in its early know that thou hast shown kindness to my master~" verdure, waved to £he gentle air, while the meadows~ Scarcely had the venerable servant arisen to his feet thickly covered with luxuriant grass and ~nazneled ere a damsel approached. "She was fair to look with flowers of, every hue; were scattering richest upon." Fairest of the fair tbropg gathered there, perfiuu& on every breath that fanned them. The her singular beauty of form and feature, at once ar- ehade~ of evening were beginning slowly to creep rested the attention of Elie~er. Her dark, lustrous down the sides of the Tyari and envelop the city of eye, as she cast a glance at the stranger. with his Nahor in that soft haze of twilight beauty, so pecu- kneeling caravan, as the eye only can speak, com- liar to eastern climes. The hum of busy industry municated to the soul of the faithful steward an was dyin~ away, the lowing herds were returning intelligence not to be mistaken in regard to the visit. TH~ MESSAGE TO UR. 155 154 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. As ~Iie drew the water and gracefully threw back had she performed her kind offices, which she d~d her curls of glossy hair~ which fell in dark ringlets in an almost incredibly short space of time, than the over her face, to poise the brimfull vessel on her livened servant approached her and placedupon her shoulder, she hastened to bound away over the now arms ~two massive bracelets of fine gold, t~n ~shekels star..lit path, baek to the city. But she had not in weight, and also presented her with other jewels proceeded far until she was overtaken by the anxioi~s of the richest and most elaborate workmanship. Eliezer, who, addressing her in soft and gentle Then addressing her he said accents, said, "Whose daughteraA thou, my fair one "I pray thee give me to drink." "I an~i the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, Turning round, ~ebeoca dropped her pitcher my lord." quickly upon her hand, and replied, "Drink, my "Is there room in thy father's house for us to lord." lodge ?" After Eliezer had done drinking, the kind and "We have plenty of room, and an abuhdance for gentle damsel said, "I will draw water for thy thy servants and camels." So saying she departed camels, also, that they may drink." By this the for the city. servant was assured that the wife of Isaac stood be- At this Eliezer again prostrated himself, and said, fore him; and so overjoyed was he at the successful "Blessed be The Lord God of my master, Abraham, issue 4 his toilsome ~nd responsible mission that who hath ma~iifested his mercy and truth in le~din~ he was silent while the beautiful damsel drew the me to the house of my master's kindr.~d." Scarcely water and filled the trough for the thirsty camels. had he finished his prayer until he saw a young man Filled with admirationn and wonder at what he wit- running towards him at full speed. It was taban, nes~ed, he knew not~what to say, or how to act, but the brother of Rebecca, who had informed him of bowing himself before the Lord, he gave thanks for all she had seen and done. Approaching Eliexer the prosp~nity which had crowned his mission. he addressed him thus, "Come in thou blessed. of Had he not been secretly conscious when he first the Lord, wherefore standest thou without. I have ~gazed upon the fair face of the beautiful stranger, prepared the house, and room for the camels." Soon fiat she was the divinely appointed one he sought, the caravan entered the gates of the city, and giving servants, ~liezer her benevolence and hospitality would have at once the camels into the hands of the not long wrought such a conviction in his mind. No soone~'r entered the palace of Bethuel4 and it was 166 THE ASTROLOGER OF' CtALDEA. TU*~ MSSSAOE TO ~YR. 1b7 ui~ii the girdle and sandals were removed, and he Morning came, and the a~nxiou~ servantt addres- and his company were invited to partake of the even~ sing Bethuel, said, "1 pray thee, my lord, give me ing repast. His missionn, however, was of too great Rebecca, that I may return with ~r to my ~tnaster;" iinportanc~ to allow him to wait until he had taken To this Laban and the mother responded~~ "Be not ~freshments b~foi~ making it known, and after in haste. Let hei~ tarry with us for the space of teu introducing himself as the servant of Abraham, and days, and then she shall go with thee." rehearsing all the circumstances connected with his "Hinder me not, I pray thee, teeing the Lord l errand in detail, and informing them of the great~ bath prospered me so well. Send me away, that I ness and princely wealth of his master, he bowed may go to my master." himself before the family and asked if his master's "We will call Rebecca and she shall answer for wishes could be granted. The father and son, being herself." entirely satisfied that the whole arrangement was So saying, she was soon in their presence, and divinely superintended, nodded assent, but cast when the mother with faltering voice asked her if their eyes upon the mother and daughter. They 8he was. willing to leave her father's house and were attentive observers of what had been said. mother's care, for a distant land, never perhaps to 1~ob~cea hung upon her mother's neck in tears, and look upon the faces of the loved ones at home again, *tjie snat~rnal bosom heaved ~with wild emotion. she resolutdy but with deep feeling replied, "'L~hq~ ~liey were silent, but it was the silence which, if it Lord's will be done, I go to fulfil my destiny~n the may not be constrtied as a~i absolute assent to the land of promise." The mother's heart was touched proposal, at least gave strong indications that the and she embraced her~only daughter and wept. It objections were not insuperable, at least so the ser- was a great sacrifice, equivalent almost to burying vant understood it; and blessing the Lord God of her from her sight forever; bi~it she gave her up with Abraham, he rose from the floor, and ordering his a mother's blessing. Laban approached and taking servants~4~ bring in the treasure, he poured at the her from the arms of lier~wee~ing mother, ~njbraced feet of Rebecca the most costly jewels, drapery her and said, "Thou art our sister, be thou tho ai~d robes, that wealth could purchase, at the same mother of thousands, of millions, and let thy seed time bestowing upon the mother awl brother the possess the gate of those which hate them.. Go, richest presents~ It was now growing late, and my sister;~nd the God of Abraham and Earan &nd after partaking of the boiintiful repast spread before Nahor go with thee." him, they all retired to rest. 168 THE ASTROLOGER OP OHALDEA. THE MESSAGE TO UR. 159 Soon all was in readiness for the departure. The all the excitements by Which she was surrounded, servants of Ab~aham brought up the camels in front the scenes and associa0ons of home would crowd of the palace. One, richly caparisoned, was made upon her thoughts and fill her mind with intense to kneel, ~and the proudest and most beautiful of emotions. Chaldea's daughters was soon in the saddle. An. Under ordinary circumstance nothing could have other, and her old maid; servant, who had nursed induced Rebecca to have left er home and kindred her from her infancy, was mounted and by her side. for a land of strangers, and o take to herself for a Then Eliezer and the servants mounted their camels, companion for life, one whom she had never seen. and, waving a la~t adieu, the gates 6f Ur were pas- But the wonderful train of events connected with sed and the cavalcade was on its way. As they the visit of the venerable servant of Abraham, and passed the grotto and hastened over the plain, before the interest shown by that patriarch, whose know- the eye of Rel~ecca rose the scenes of her &hild- ledge and piety were held in the highest es~eeruby hood, lever, perhaps, to be looked upon again. The "11 the family as well as the priests and astrologers tear came unbi4den to her eyes and bedewed the of Babylon, Nineveh and Ur, wove around her a silken lashes as she cast a last and lingering look web of destiny from which she could riot escape; upon the receding valley, upon whose peaceful bo- and besides, she felt her heart strangely and won- ~pm rose dim in the distance the beloved city, her derfully drawn out after the young stranger who childhood's homer The walls, and tower with its sought her hand. She felt ~that sh~ dare not resist perpetual fire ascending to the god of day, were ~ll the influence that was drawing her so powerfulIy~. that she could distinguish, and it was not long until away from her father's care and mother's love~ and a turn in the gorge of the ~niountain forever obstruct- from all the hallowed associations of her childhood's ed them from her sight. Wild summits rose on home. At times it seemed as if she had awakened either side casting their shadows on h~r way, and from a dream, in which she had been carried away anon sh& would come outon an open space where from home and friends to desert regions by some she could behold, spread out before her, luxuriant chieftain's band, but ~he had returned home and plains with isles of foliage, and beyond, the distant heard again her moth&'s voice and joined in the mountains rising up against the far off sky. Day innocent, glee of the city maidens; but alas, the after day passed, and ever varying scene~ipresented surrounai~g de~ert~. and dangerous defiles through themselves as she journeyed on, but in the midst of which she was passing, would r~u~e her from her 1~~

THE MESSAGE TO UR. 1430 THE ASTROLOGER GF CHALDI~A. gaze. He 'saw enough to convince him that th. reverie and recall her actual condition 1 Often, after long looked for train was coining, and soon would the fatigues of the day1 had she wept herself to sleep i~her tent, upon the faithful breast of hex< childhood be in the plain. nurse; but in the midst of all she felt a calm and "Who is that, Eliezer, walking yonder in the quiet resignation, and the promise of the great Je. field ?" said Rebecca, as from the mountain path hovah in relation to her future destiny would still they saw in the distance a tall young man, of digni.. the throbbing of her heart and chase her fears fled mien, walking leisurely along, with arms folded away. A~ length the cavalcade reaches the end of as if in meditative mood. the desert and enters the southern borders of Pales. "That is my young master, Isaac. He waits ur tine. coming. Isaac, filled with anxiety in regard to the result At this Rebecca threw her long thick veil over of the jQurney undertaken by Eliezer, and judging her face, entirely concealing her features,, and the that it was about time for him to return, had come train hurried on. Soon the foot of~ the mountain down from Mamre to tahai.roi, where there was a was reached, and they entered the pl~iw The sun was stinging the tops of the famous well. All travelers across the desert would distant moun- stop at this well for rest and refreshment, and Isaac, tains with his parting beams, and bathing the valley therefore, had taken up his abode here for the 'pure in its golden light as the travelers approached, and pose of waiting the arrival of his father's servants when they reached the spot where Isaac stood they from Mesopotainia.~ One evening, while he was form a circle around him, and the camels ~kneel walking out in the field which stretched down to~ while Eliezer and the servants bow themselves to wards the desert, meditating upon the ~perils of the the earth in obeisance to their young master. In journey and the probabilities of success, he was few words Eliezer related the incidents of the jour~ awakened from his reverie by seeing in the distance ney, and closed by introducing Rebecca, who stood a train of camels emerging from behind a cliff, on veiled before him. Taking her by the hand, Isaac t~~e side of the distant mountain. The ~liff was replaced her in the saddle, and mou~itiug another thickly studded with acacia trees, and he could camel himself; the party journeyed on towards only eee the long necks of the camels, with~an occa- Mamre. A fleet messenger from Lahairoi had been dispatch& to herald their approach, sional glimpse &f their riders as a short turn in the and when they arrived, which was about midnight,~the groves and mountain path ~rould reveal them to his~ excited * 11 THE A$T~0L0GEH OP C~UALDEA. TH~ MESSAGE TO ~TR 16? tents of Mamre were illumined with a thousand one hand, and with the other clung to the arm of in readiness to lampa, and all the inhabitants were her husba~d. Abraham welcomed the stranger to and his bride. when Isaac receive the bridegroom the hospitalities of his tent, and after partaking of with his lovely charge, the procession, approached refreshments with the numerous company assein to meet him with their torches, wliish h~td come out bled, they witnessed the marriage ceiernonies. The opened right and ~4t, and alighting from their can~ chieftain gazed upon the imposing scene with an ab els, followed by the faithful Eliezer and Rebecca's sorbing interest, and when at its close the venerable servant, the welcome company pass into the tent of patriarch pronounced the blessing of heaven upon the departed mother, where the patriarch received, Isaac and hi~ blooming Chaldean bride, a tear might embraced, ~and kissed his daughter. Joy again had have been seen to steal from the dark lashes of The oome to Mamre, and every heart was filled with stranger's eye, and fall upon his slightly curled and rapturous delight as Abraham, with his numerous tremulous lip, as he drew more closely his compan-~ friends, confederates, and family sat doWn to the ion to his side. N~: sooner was the ceremony &ver Bumptuous I~4dal feast. than the chieftain and his wife bo#~d a graceful 3i~t before the solemnization of the marriage, a farewell, and notwithstanding the entreaties of servant entered the tent, and addressing Abraham, Abraham to tarry for the remainder of the ni~4it, said, they silently withdrew, and mounting their Arabian "My lerd, an Arabian prince and his wife are horses were soon lost to sight in the woods that without , who having traveled a long and weary jour-~ skirted the distant plain. Whence came an&wh~th- ney, ask permission to tarry for the night." er went these mysterious strangers was often a mat* never "Let the stranger be admitted. Abraham ter of wonder to the patriarch of Mamre. turned away the stranger frt~m his tent. His joy is to~ great now to hesitate in extending the rites of hospitality. Bid him come Soon Was ushered into the tent a tall, dark Ara- bian chief, whose warlike dress and nodding plumes contrasted 'well with t~he simple yet beautiful habit of his dark~eyed companion, who entered, grace- hily holditig the skirt of her flowing robe in

I! E

THE WILD MAN OF PROPH~ECY. 165 remaining a short time at the fountain in the desert, fearing to leave it lest they should again be lost in CHAPTER XL the dreary and desolate wastes around them, they espied in the distance a large cavalcade approaching. T HE W ILD M AN 01F P R OPH ECOY. As the procession drew nearer they discovered by their dress and movements that they were Arabs, IsHMAEL, the name given by the angel of the the inhabitants of the desert and the original inheri- Lord to Hagar as the name of her child before he tors of the land. Soon the train arrived at the was born, hath much in its meaning. In the He- fountain, and from the kneeling camels the Arab brew tongue it signifies "heard of -*God," or "the chief and his followers alighted to partake of the Lord careth for him." When cast out from his refreshing waters~ and refill their leathern bottles to father's house and sent with his mother, a fugitive supply them on their journey. They were on their abroad, and he was ready to pergsh in the bleak and way to the passes of the El Ghior, on the northern barren desertsof Arabia, his sad, despairing, dying coast of the Arabian gulf, for the purpose of 'inter- moan was heard and the angel of the covenant ap- cepting travelers from Egypt to Canaan and Persia, peared and granted him relief, assuring his mother and of carrying on their depredations as fate or for- that the child which she had borne, and whose des- tune might dictate. They were all armed with a tiny had been so eventful, was to be the progeliitor bow and spear, and wore a fierce and warlike expres- of a g eat nation-. sion. ~Rough as was their exterior, an~d unknown as We ive already seen that Hagar and Ishmael, was their language, the military dress and the mar- after the wonderful interposition in their behalf, re- tial air of the company instead of fillings youvng mained in the wilderness. Though she had intended Ishmael with rear, inspired him with a wild delight, to return to Egypt, and was shaping her course and as he gazed upon the ostrich plumes and richly thitherward as well as she knew from the directions embroidered dress of the chieftain, who smiled upon given her by Abraham, the appearance of the Lord him as he approached, he thought within himself to her and the announcement in regard to her son's how desirable would be such a life. He was now destiny, determined her to remain in the desert and thirteen years of age and a youth of wild and reck- wait the openings of Providence, as the "wonderful less daring. His mother was a dark but beautiful destiny of her only child should be unfolded. After Egyptian, and though not so dark As her, yet he had 164 I' 166 188~I1~ ~A~8TBOLOW~1~ OF OHALI~A. THN WiLD MAN OF PR0PHEO!~ 167 her black and pl~Ii~cing eye and symmetrical form had ended and Hagar and Ishm~tel were alone in added to bold manly features for a youth of his age. their tent, the latter busily engaged in stringing his The chief of the tribe was at once interested in the bow and the former lo t in meditation, the mother boy,. and. handing him a bow and quiver, as if to as* commenced unconsciously singing one of her child~ certain whether ho knew their use, he soon found hood songs, for her mind in brooding over its various the boy was at home in the sports of the held. fortunes had wandered back to its Egyptian home. When the company were ready for departure, the It was in the Egyptian tongue, and scarcely had ~he chief addressed the mother by signs, to know if she finished one strain ere the chief entered in grekt would consent to suffer the lad to accompany them. haste, and addressing her in Egyptian, asked her if Froin~ the interest which she saw Ishmael took in she could speak that language. To this of course the strangers, and regarding it as providential, she she responded in the affirmative, as it was her m4~ther consented on condition that they would take her tongue. Soon, to the astonishment of young Thh~ along. To this the chief assented, and 5QOfl. mother mael, his mother and the chief were engaged in a and boy, after having partaken of some dates and rapid conversation. When the chief was but a mere wine, were mounted on fleet dromedaries, and the boy he was along with his father's tribe, and while caravan was under way to its place of destination. engaged in a conflict with Egyptians he was taken. The tribe was one of the most desperate that oo~ prisoner, and remained in this condition until he be. cupi4 thp wilderness of Sin, ai4 had its strong came acquainted with the language. He was finally )~olds in the fastness~s of the mountains of Horeb liberated on conditionn that he would remain in and 5iuai. Many a eara~ran of merchants had been Egypt and serve the king, to which he ~aesenteL attacked. by the proud bhief who always led on his But he sighed for his wild mountain home in the baud in person, and was plundered of its treasures wilderness and the inspiring scenes of his boy~wo& after the conquest. After traveling hard all day at and being unwilling to remain, though a bright ca~ length night caine on, and they pitched their tents reer spread out before him, he made his escape ~and for refreshment and rest~ What time the chief had returned to the land of his nativity. His father to spare from the command of his tribe he spent having died, he became the chief of the Sinaiti~ with his young favorite and his mother, and showed tribe. In turn, Tiagar related to the chief the inci then~ evqry kindness of which an Arab is capable. dents of her past life, and the circumstances which On. olie occasion, after the journey of the day drove her into the wilderness. As the result of this 408 ~ A$TIWLOGE~ OF CHALDEA. TII~ WILD MAN OF ?ROPli~OY. 169 F

L interview the chief adopted Ishmael as his son, and penetrated not the depths of this wild mountain immediately commenced teaching him the Arabic cavern, and its refreshing coolness invited the weary language, manners, and customs, with an interest he traveler to repose. Every apartment was known to had nevei~ known before. the chief and his men, as it had been the fortress Day after day the powerful tribe urged their way and hiding place of the Sinaitic tribe from an early oyer the now rough and rocky road. They had left day. The innermost apartment which was occupied the sands and were among the continuous precipices by the chief was soon lighted up by lamps suspended and defiles of Arabia Petra~a. At length they came from the sides and ceiling~ Into this apartment to the terrible pass of which we have spoken. It Hagar and Ishmael were introduced. The tribe, w~s ~ gloomy defile, and seemed once to have been which was numerous, was divided into companies the bed of. a mountain torrent. At the entrance of and sought their respective apartments in the spa- the chasm between the mOuntains which rose up cious cavern. The camels were unladened of their perp~ndi0ularly five hundred feet in height, was a treasures, consisting of fine linen from Egypt, silks grove of cypress and accacia trees, which cast a deep and spices from Ispahan and Arabia Felix, and 8hade from the sides, and projected over as if guard- precious jewels ~from Hydramant. They had also ing the entrance to the valley of the shadow of death brought with them a bountiful supply of figs, dates,~ itself. Wild fig and oleander trees grew out of the and dried grapes, with wine, and palm and olive oil. craggy' sides of the mountain gorge throughout its This wandering tribe carried every thing with them eutke length. Masses of rock of enormous magni- ~necessary to afford them the most sumptuous living. tude seemed to have been thrown together by some Their tents, for which they had now no use either wild convulsion of nature, forming as it were step- to screen them from the scorching rays of the sun ping stones for a race of giants, on both sides of by day or the drenching dews by night, were spread which towering crags overhung the abyss, which at upon the rocky floors of their apartments, which some places nearly uniting overhead would shut out being covQred with the skins of Cashmere, made an the light of day, throwing a gloomy grandeur over inviting repose for the weary. the scene below. Not far from the entrance of this Here, day after day as the chief would converse frightfizl pass was a huge cavern whiQh spread away with his adopted son, through his mother, the time into the darkness, in the recesses of which were passed pleasantly away. Ishmael was becoming many apartments. The burning sun of the desert 1 rapidly acquainted with the Arabic language, and 1 I1 170 TIU~ AS OLOO~II 01 VHALP2A. VHJ WILD ~AN OF Pa0PH~0Y. 171

was soon able to hear and answer questions ask~t1 three north, and. three south, and enjoined not to re- him by members of the tribe, among all of whom turn until some tidings of Ishniaci could be heard, h~ was becoming a great A~av~rite. From Jiis re~ or some chic by which he could be found. Day treat he would ~re.quent1y sally forth with his bow on after day passed away, but they came not. Another a huntiu~ e~cu~sioz~, witb sowo trusty Arab, a~OQIIg band was started and another day of anxiety passe4 the ~iounta4n fastia~sses, and his skill as an archer but alas, no tidings greeted the ears of the watchers. wa~j~ften demonstrated as a wild goat or a mountain Just as they were about again to retire for the night,2~ 1 roe would become the victim of his steady aim. On having given up all hopes of receiving any intelli- other occasions he would astonish the whole tribe gence from the lost, the loud blast of a trumpet was by ~h4 precision. with which he would throw the heard echoing along the mountains and win4ing dart, often bearing off t~palm from. all competitors. through the El Ghor. Th0 fearful suspense was Frequently vh~ boy, unknown to his mother ~nd the broken. The lost was found; but whether the fear- chief, las if impatient of restraint, would start off less boy was living or dead none but the returning unattended and enter~pon all the exciting scenes of messengers could tell!. The blasts became louder the chase. #.~Iu one ooca~ion the whole tribe was and more frequent as the detachmeri4 ~neared the *alarrfled at the apprehension that he was slain. by cavern. The ehief and Hagar hastened down to the wild beasts or killed by falling over some precipice, entrance ~of the pass, and soon in the light of the or perhaps taken by some warlike tribe, upon which, torches which illu~riined the valley, they beheld i~ his wanderings, he had fallen. Night had caine mounted on the foremost steed-~-a fleet Arabian and darkness reigned around. The El Ghor was oourser.-their idol boy: Though he was daring and covered with midnight gloom, but still he came. not. reckless he had &kind and generous heart, aud.seeing Oowriers were ~ispatehed. in every direction. The his mother he bounded from his saddle and was mother's heart ~ai~k~ witl,~jn her, and when morning caught in her arms. )i~patches~were sent in the came bringing no tidings of the lost boy, she would other directions with. trumpets to recall the messen- have yielded to despair had she not recollected tihe gers. promise of the Divine Being in reg~ird to the destiny "Whei~e have you been, Ishmael, my son ?" cx-, of her son. Another band was dispatched, consists claimed the overjoyed mother. in~' of twefre. They' were divided into four eom~ "I was taken, while hunting in the valley, by a panics and were to go out three east~ three we8t, wandering tribe, and carried te Ezion Geber"

J 172 ITHE ~ ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. TL Il A FPOhC.I7 "Did they treat thee kindly, my sonny The next day all the remaining parties that had "Kindly, my mother, and gave me that beautiful been sent out iii search of Ishmnael returned to the Arab courser and many other presents, among which cavern, and day after day passed away without any was this sword, " which he drew at the same time event occurring to disturb the- quiet of the, Arabs. from its scabbard by his side, the jewels of whose They were evidently, however, becoming tired of hilt glittered in the light of the 'torches by which waiting for spoils, and their wandering habits were he was surrounded. such that they could not remain much longer in that "Did they wish -you to stay with them ?" position. The highest happiness of the tribe con- " They took me to their castle and showed me all sisted in the excitement of an attack upon their its )eatitiful things, and told me if I would become warlike neighbors or the armed caravans of jzer- one of their tribe I should be the son of their chief, chants ladened with treasures going to or returning Abdul-foi. IBut I told them I was the son of a from the distant east. They were growing impatient mighty chief already. 'Ah, but,' said they, 'thou and restless, and having exhausted almost every ex- art our prisoner, and&aan never return to thy father, pedient to keep up that wild excitement suited to nor see thy' other more.'". their warlike and wandering natures, many became "How didst thou escape from the castle ?" anxious to leave the pass and start upon some fresh " One night when all were lost in mirth and wine, enterprize. Long since, they learned from a cap- I mounted my steed, smote down the sentinel, pass. tive, that on the shore of the Mediterranean sea ed the gate, and bounded like a deer into the there was a fortified town abounding in treasures re- desert. After traveling all night, just as the sun ceived from the distant west, and from thence trans- was breaking over the distant mountains, I beheld ported across the country to the east, and it had in the distance- a tent on the plain, above which often occurred.to them that depredations could with waved the flag af our tribe, and soon I was withwy ease be committed upou ghe caravans that would friends and on mny homeward journey.", aniply repay them for the uhdertalking. Encouraged, "God be praised, my son; for thy deliverance.", however, by their chief, in whom theylhad the most So saying, the assembled group repaired to the unlimited confidence, they concluded. to content cavern, and there was joy and rejoicing, for he who themselves with their present position. ha4 been mourned as dead was alive again, and he At length the long looked for period arrived. A who had been lost was found. sentinel at the western extremity of the Ghoi, de-

I THE WILD MAN O~F ?~0PliEQY. 1175 7~ '174TliE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDIAS sei~ied 'approaching ~n immense c~iravan from Egypt, places in the dark caverns rush with fury on the laden with precious commodities "for the distant advanci~ cavalcade. There ~as a manly and des- east, and he hastened with rapid pace to make known perate resistance on the part of the Egyptians, but the approach of the travelers to the chief of the in the dreadful slai~ghter they fell before the r~- tribe. sistless arm of the mighty chief and his warriors, Soon all was astir with excitement, and every and unable any longer to witlistatid the onslaught preparation was made for a~ attack. Once within of the foe, and all retreat being cut off, they gave the~dark pass~ the Egyptians, however numerous or themselves up, and with their immense treasure~ be- well atmed, must fall a prey" to the warlike Arab, came captives, and their goods the spoils of theAvild wh~~ill and ~desperate hardihood were irnore than Arab tribe. What were left unslain were 'bound a match for the most thoroughly armed and power- and taken prisoners into the spacious cavern, to be ful caravan. At length the tramp of the camels' exchanged for Arab prisoners in Egypt. The camels feet was heard resounding along the defile and were secured, and with the treasures they bore we~re echoing through the caverns of the El Ghor. It was, taken into the cavern also, where they were unla- as we have already seen~ a frightful pass and always dened of their spoils. The dead were boi'ne off to attended ~rith danger; forming as it did the nearest dark and dangerous defiles, where they were cast route to the east, by many miles, it ~was invariably down and left to moulder in the winds and rains of chosen when the caravans of merchantmen were heaven, and in a few hours the pass was cleared of sufficiently numerous and armed for security and all, and no sign was left of the deadly affray save defense. Could they but succeed in getting safely the dark spots, with occasional pools of blood, with' beyond this boundary into the open desert they had which the rocky pavement of the pass was discoh kut little to fear~ as the means of def&i~se an4 tbe ored.. The descending sun was throwing its last opportunities oft~e~cape ~A'om their wil& Arab ~ene- faiuV rays o(. light adown ~e narro* opening above, mies, were such~ as~to. in~pir~' them with confidence as the wild and blood~thir~ty phinder loving Arabs in the success of their journey. commenced~ their revelry and riot over the spoils of But harld A cry is heard. The daring chief their Egyptian prisoners. having sallied forth at the head of his men, with But where was I4imael, the brave and reckless wild an4 frantic shouts attacks in front and on the son of Hagar? Did ~iis love for his mother's nation ~idos, while the warriors issuing from their hiding stay his hand in the conflict? It might have ~ 176 THE A~TROLOOEI~ OF CUALDEA. ~3 WILD MAN OF WEOPHZOY. 177 nerved his arm, or at least caused him tb hesitate, As the young hero was rushing upon an Egyptiau young and though4~ss as he was, had he~ not reali~ prince who wa~ cutting his way bravely through ~ed that he was a child of prophecy, and that Jeho- the Arab band, with his daughter by his side~....a vah himself had decreed his destiny, the fulfUment slender but graceful and beautiful Egyptian whose of which was to be brought about by a ceaseless dark eye gleamed with the fire of woman's valor, and interminable war through all his generations, and who seemed to be inspired with a super-humaii~ without any regard whatever to country or kindred. strength and fortitude as she smote off with her His hand was to know no peaee and his heart was glittering sword the han4. that had aimed a deadly to be nerved with a hostility that should last as long thrust at h~r father.-..he saw, ~as the eye of th~prin~ce as b~, lived, and when its fitful impulses should be met his, something th~t, quick as thought? .&4 still in. death, through all his descendants, to the his attention and as suddenly determined hi~n~on latest generation, that inborn hostility should con- saving his life and that of his daughter. A word tinue as long as nation should lift up sword against fr~n~ the~young chieftain arrested the aim of a sirar~ ua~Lion. The first lesson he received from his mother thy Arab who was just in the act of thrusting in ~childhood, as he hung upon her breast and drank through with a dart the heroic princess. iu the bewildering light of her dark eye and the in- Just then a shout, which, rose above the din of spiring tones of her rich voice, was that of the battle, was heard from the chief of the tribe announ~ mysterious prophecy which betokened his fortune cing the cessation of hostilities and the achievement and sealed his fate. He knew enough to know that of ~ victory~ and Ishmaci led the prince and his he w~ ~mniortal till his destiny on earth was fulfilled, daughter' into the cavern and introduced the~~o the and that as a child of Tprophecy nothin~i~oU1d*avert apartm~44~ ~ic father. that destiny. - When the ~y'~s of Hagar fell u~x~n the young and In the midst of the deadly coiiflict I~hmael was heautiflil pr$~ices~, she~ gr~ pale.. and approaching by the side of the ~Arab chief, his adopted father, her with all the tenderness of a~mother, she spoke and with a strong and aexterous hand dealt nierci- to her words of kindness in ~er native tongue, and le'~s blows upon~ the armed merchantmen and their embraced her in her a'ws. The scene touched the servants. Mounted on his Arab charger, his tall heart of Ishmael, ~.vA for the first time he felt emo~ plume was to be seen ixodding in the thickest of the tions, strapge yet I1~sful, rise up in his soul as fight. Many fell beneath ~che sword and spear of contemplated the ~ of the young stranger. I~4 that young warrior. 12 '79 178 178TH~ ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. TMZ WILD MAN OF P1~OPI1ECY. 179 had been an eventful life. He had grown up under jn a' conversation which was had in an under tone the midst of the con- peculiar Ci~Ct1i~0t&flCe8, and tli~ead history of the and lasted for some ~hours. In with ~ pasti~ept vividly before him by the hard forti.mes of versation, however, the company were served his mother, the only being on earth that he loved, had a most bountiful and rich repast. of the cavern lights were gleaming soured his nature and steeled his heart against man- In all parts the glare of which could kind. There was a ~W~dness in his eye, a frown from a hundred lamps, in while around upon his br~w, and a scorn upon his lip which ser- be seen groups of wai~riors feasting, profusion, ved as the index of his ~ar&' Thit the eye lost its them scattered here and. there in thick products of wildness, and the frown an& scorn were succeeded were bales composed of tbe richest ~J~jzi~e'd' b~~tkile which oversp1~ea~, his features, even as Egypt's proud capital. In dark recesses, ti*4 bright sunlight falls upon the landscape after to the rocky walls, could be seen the prisoners i~Iio the £torm-clQud has passed away. Among the h~d been taken in the conflict. waidens of Mamre or Beer-Sheb~ he had seen none About midnight a council of the sub-chiefs was while $ose gracefulness of form and beauty of person called in the apartment of the head chief, and in regard to; the OQiild vie with the lovely being now before him. they are engaged in consultation Her brave and heroic beariu~ in the deadly strife, prisoners and the spoils of war, we will take' another immediately when she seemed lik~ an angel life-guard to her look at the group in another &partment, father, inspired hix~i,. as' he gazed upon her in the adjoining the one occupied 1~y the council. Ishniael as he is leav- conflict% with a reverence; but now that he saw her had been called with the rest, but just from the Iinarz~ and gentle as a lamb, with downcast eyes ing he received a soft but imploring look entire Whose long dark silken lashes veiled tlieir~ light and yoling princess whi9~ thrilled him through his great rehictanc~ he left, but fire he felt an irite~est in her which, t~ him, 'was being. It was with The interest felt by strange' and inexplica~Je.~ No excitement of the duty called and he ~ seemed 4most to cha~e, or that produced by the storm of battle, was the mother for the youu~8tranger of th~ strn.~ \~a4 cely had Ishmael~ left half so deep and tumul~i~i$ ~s that which he felt equal that rising within him. the apartment ere she ~4Qd the princess again in a fond kiss upon her Soon the Arab chief eiiteted, and, as we have be- her arms and imprinted ~ian~ Many were also the words ~ ~pre seen, being acquainted with the Egyptian forehead and lips. poured intothe ears olf tli f~gue, be and t~he ~irierchant prince were engaged kindness and promise she 4

180 THE ASTROLO~ER OF ~J~UA. THE WiLD MAN OF PROPHECY. 181 ww confiding maiden. Reclining npou the soft look upon the face of the fair Egyptian. Motlrn, skin of a leopard, ii~ a richly furnished and brilliantly and maiden greeted him with a smile, and when he a saloon hted apartment tha~ more resembled announced the freedom of her father and the g~. away. 9 2r~ a cavern, the hours pass~4 ~~leasantly rangements made for their return to Egypt in safetj, The maiden forgot her sorrows and her home in the she advanced and kneeling before him extended hei'~~ soft endeari~ig tones of Hagar, and ere the couneA~ 4iand, which he kissed with passionate fondness. It was en4e~, ~ocked fast in eaqh other's~exnbrace, two was agreed, also, that Hagar should ac0o.~$ny her of Egypt's fairest daughters, i~esembling each other son, and the time f&r departure being set atid sill in form and fea.Vures enough to have been taken for things in readiness, the prisoners, with the detach~ mother and daughter, wete lost in slumber's peace- ment headed by the young chief, started Qut upon ful repose. their journey. The reader *ill noW with us leave the sleepers to Ishmael had never seen the sacred river of ~Egypt. ~eir u~roublod slumher, and we will look into the He had often heard his mother speak of the magnifi- ~.t~er apartment. The object of the council having cent palaces and mighty temples of the Nile, and to make a disposition of the prisoners and the feh a greater desire to visit No Ammon, the city~of 4 ~p~ilsit was agreed, ~fter~ mature deliberation, that his mother, than he did to look upon the gorgeous ~ divisiqn~:of the latter be made among ~the chiefs palaces and temples of Nineveh and Ba~byl&n. ~No~ and 4~eir meii, reserving the usual pQrtion for the that his wishes were about to be re~dized he felt new leader, and as the yQung chief, Ishmael, was some~ emotions rise up within him wkich he could not find' 9 what acquainted ~wit h the Egyptian language as well language to describe, as on his Arabian steed he as the Arabic, which he had ao~*ired with great ease rode proudly beside the beautiful Egyptian,~and con- and now spike with considerable fluency, he should versed upon various topics connected with their be sent with. a< de'tao.lunent of the tribe to Egypt* journey. with the prisoners. It was not many days ~until, after emergiii~ from When the morning ca~0 and the blast of the trum- the desert, the broad and beautiful valley of the pet echoing along the sided and from the vaulted Nile spread out 1~efore them, dotted all ov~ with roof of the cavern annQjinced the hour for refre~h- villas empowered in groves of orange and lemon ~ent, I~hmael sallied, forth to his mother's apart. trees, whose fragrance perfumed the air and filled ~ent with palpitating heart, anxious once more to the senses with a bewitching sweetness. Though 4)

i89 Tfl~ ASTIWLOGER OF ~IIALt~EA. tho~ r*~ind of the Egyptian maiden had been filled with visions of the glory of the distant east, and ~ad ofteji anticipated the pleasure she would enjoy iii~ ihe lovely vales of Persia, the fairer palaces of CHAPTER XIL Zran,?or tb~& dreamlike bowe4~f J~denon the banks of the Tigris, yet she realized, after all the trials EGYPTIAN~ MYSTERIES. sJ~e had2pe~ed, that the flower~ and streams of her AFTEu~many days travel, at length v~omjany ~tive land were lovelier than all the pictured be~itty drew uear the capital of Egypt. The apcaeia, witi~ of ~ distaiit cli1~e. its beagtiftil white an& fragrant ~dw~rs, beneath

4 whose shade the timid antelope found shelter, *hich grew in great abundance on the shore of ihe fled sea, and were to be found in~ occasional patclie~ along the desert route, had no# disappeared a~i4i given place to groves of palm, orange, date, apri~t, and olive treed, which made the route of the tra#~k ers seem like a journey througli* eoi~tinuous pleas

K~I ~ ure garden. ~ We have in a prece4i~j chapter givei~ a ~tip- tion of the renowned ~ity to vvhieh they were journeyi4~. Its huge i~i~siument~ rose up in tower- ing grandeur before them as they ad~i*ance& towards the city fi~oi* the western pIa~k. TIi~e they stood in long ~ as if so ~nany aentine1~ rding the entraxie~&to E~pt's proud capital. the avenue leading into the cit fro~n the ~ and passing between rows of sp ~es of eolo~~ mag~ nitude which st~od~ ~t i~e~lar inte*als on either side, they alight in f ront of an immense portion fori~iing the ~e~tern entrance to the royal ~alace, 18$ TILE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDZA. )WYPTIAN MYSTERIES. supported by a marble colonnade of the most elabo. ask next to the throne or heirship thereto. It was rate atid beautiful workmanship. The servants be. n~t to be wondere~. that the dazzling splen4ors of ing given over to the master of the palace, Jshmael the Egyptian court, the magnificence of the palaces, and the captive merchant princes ascend the lofty and the great and princely gifts proffered by the steps, enter the audience chamber and are soon h~ proud king of Egypt~ together with the increasingly the presence of the king. The signet is presented, strong attachment which he felt in his heart for the and in du~ time the officers of the army with the young and lovely Egyptian princess, who, with her r~agiciane arid priests, are called in council witlj the father, he had rescued from Arab viole~ice, can~e king. The Ar&b chief relates the circumstances with overwhelming power upon his young, impul- connoted with ~he capture of the me~c~iantmen and sive, and aspiring nature, and seemed for awhile as thei~' servants, and details the purport of his mission though it would change the whole current of his to the conrt of Egypt, whereupon, the king, accord- destiny. But it was only for a moment his nature nig to' the laws of the land, accepted the proposals had to struggle with the temptation. His wild and agreed to efohange prisoners, Arab for Egyp. prophetic life rose up before him and gained the tia~ according to the number of captives. The mastery, while the splendors of Egypt and th~ father and daughter were tbus restored to their glory of its kingdom faded away in the brighter rni~~i~all the -merchants and servantss were set vision of scenes more congenial to his n~ure in 14. at ~4iy. desert home. When it was known that Ishmael's mother was at Respectfully bowing before the king he declined one time a maid of honor in the royal court, his generous proposals~ and asked but one boon at a~& was remembered by many on account of -her his hands. He was willing that the Arab prisoners rare beauty at~d persQn~l accomplishments, and be- might remain in bondage and continue to toil in the 1~ig& thus of ~~ptian~ descent, he was beso~t~ght by mines of the emerald mountains where they were tho-ki~to remain, who proposed a~ ono~ to make confined; if the king would only beetoW~ upon him him ~ 'i~eei' of his c~urt, hoping at the same time for a wife~ the princess whom he had r~st~red to thr~ugifr ~his oonnezi~'4 with the Arabs, to secure liberty. He well knew that his love for~the beauti- prot~otion agai~ist their inoursiQnand dejfl~edations. ful maiden wa~ returned by an a~ection pui~ aud Qi~ oo~ditiou of his aooeptanc6 he promised at the ardent as her naturee, all the deep impassioned affec- S~~pe4o confer upon Ish~r~l any gift he~might tion~ of which were excited in his behalf. He k~uew A s~ TUE ASTROLOGER OF CUA4DEA. EGYPTIAN MYSTERI~8. she felt~ that should even fat~ separate them, 'yet her "Let the ~mas~er of records search the chamber destiny.was linked with his forever. Father, moth. of rolls," said th~ king, "and if thy word~be true~ <~ er, home, kindred, wealth, distinction, were all to then may th~ .A~rab chief be initiated in the mo~t her as the evaneAcent Vapor exhaled by the sun from holy mysteries o~' our temple, and the desire of his the watersof the sacred river when compared with heart shall be ~ratified-.-the young and beautiful the joy and rapture which filled her whole being Mirza shall be his companion forever~" when the light of his eyes were upon ~her and the The voiwhers ere in due time obtained, and the l~iisic of b.Is voice thrilled her soul. record not only showed the fact, but set forth tlia& There was, however, an impassable barrier to no astrologer co Id be found in the world like to the their union. Belonging as she did to the royal and Archimagus of l~abylon. The king commanded that sacerdotal line, hone but those of her country and [shmnel shouldJbe initiated at sight, and ordered caste cou~. hope to gain her hand in marriage, and that he should a once be prepared~ for~ induction to so widely separated was her family from the sur~ all the sublime mysteries of the temple of the Suu. rounding nations, that ozily an honorary relation The day at le gth arrived for the celebration of could be bestowed upon foreigners, and that only the sacred rites. The Arab chief had passed through upon such as had obtained distinction in astrological all the preparato y scenes connected with the initia- ~ To ~uch attainments he could lay no claim, tion, and accoin aided by the master of ceremonies, and hen~e the cup of bliss which he had but tasted into whose ha ds he was placed, and to whose wa~ about to be rudely dashed forever from his 1ip~. ~'iiidance he wa given, he repaired to the temple While the king and court were consulting upon &~hich was at so e distance from the capital. An the proposal of lshmael, a venerable n~an among the avenue of giga tic monsters guarded the way to a magi arose, and advancing to the throne, said, huge iron gate, ver the arch of which was inscribed "0 king, live forever. Is not this Egyptian the in mySt0riQU~ characters, "None bu~ the free born, son of th~ great Abram, chief of all the ~astrologers tke good, and th brave, admitted here." The knock of Ba~ and Ninev~h,. and has not the great Un. of the o~r~rseer f the outer gate is respo~ded~by a .kn~wn made him a priest in Mamre, ~nd did he not, similar one wit in, but in a low sepulchral sQund whil~ residing iz~ this palace, reqeiye our~most sa- that startled Is~im~el with its strangeness. ]?~es- cred mysteries and engage in our irio~t solemn rites ently the mas~3t gate swings back gratingly on itB in tb. temple f the Sun ?" hinges, and their are permitted to enter.~ A suItor- THE ASTROLOGER OF QHALbEA. EGYPTIAN xy~iiuiuS. ranean passage is before them, which' they enter by on either side visible. A change c~nes over the 4esceii~$og a flight Qf steps which lead down into aspect of the place, and its decorations, th~2marble the darkness below. The lofty arches resound with floor on which he walks trembles, and he~eems to th~ tread of their advancing footsteps. The caverns be raised up to a great height and then again sunk of the Ghor were lightand beautiful as Eden when down into a profound abyss. Instantly he felt him- compared witI~ this gloomy pass. After proceeding Belf drawn rapidly along, and though un~l~le to 'dis- ~ a short distance in silence, the guide told Ishmael cover the impulse or attraction, yet he was constrain- 't9~stop and remain still for a few moments, and fear ed to obey the mysterious power which urged him an~ no evil. The command was unnecessary, for he Before his eyes, while gazing upon them, the picture V seemed to have been placed immovably, and as it and marble sculptures which decorated the sides, were, enchained in the depth of a gloom and obscu- became animated, beautiful images se~m~d to shed rity profoutad'~as ancient night. He remained not tears, unwielay and colossal statues moved and long in this position until dim in the distance faint walked and uttered harmonious sounds. Again the flashes of light break for a moment the darkness scene changed, and awful monsters, centaurs, har. ~, which surrounded him, ~evealiiig fresh horrors to pies, gorgons, and serpents with an hundred heads, his excited mind. By these transient flashes he surrounded and menaced him, and with threatening ca~ight glimpses of monstrous phantoms and awful aspect, endeavored to prevent his approach, but shill specter. He also heard near him the frightful hiss he marched on. Phantoms bearing a perfect resem- of ~erperits, nnd the dieinal howl of wild beasts, bla.neQ to beings from whom he had long~been sepa- which were repeated and prolonged in the distance rated and for whom he had a strong attachment~ by the reverberations of the hollow arches. Anon flitted before him and shrunk from the embrace an interval of silence would come, which, instead of which they appeared to seek. a relief, awakened such overpoweringawfuv emotions In the midst of these exciting scenes an &wful in his mind, that a slight rustling, or even an agree- peal 4 thunder shook the foundations of~ the gloomy able sound, made him shudder. Far in the dist~nce~ passage, and all again was darkness. When the at length he saw a revolving light, and his gizide dreadful sound died away, there rose upon the still appt~oaching speaking words of comfort and courage, air a vtic~ soft and calm as that of an angel. It they march oxi with measured tread. As they ad- eall~d IshinaeV by panie, and inquired if he was vau~ the light increases so as to make the' objects willing t~ proceed iii the mysteries of the te*z4~l~. AP 'I

EGYPTiAN ~TSRI~8. - TIIS AO~1~ OF QIL&LDEA. ~ik~ th$~ he responded ~ in the 'affirmative, #hen the 0' the young Egyptian princess, were en uRkno*r~. again addressing him in kind and gentle prompt him to a still severe trial of his perseve- tgned ini4ie midst of the darkness, asked huin what rance and courage 9 But to him, so far ~ ?ight to ' he most desired. Just then, and before he had time the inheritance he sought in the rich and imperil~ tQ~reply, a burst of light above the brightness of the able treasures of a woman's love- sun filled tI~ whole passage, illuminating as with a "The gates were passed blaze of day, every recess. Around him were ob- And Iwaven won." j~cts of surpassing beauty, while before him, at an It was not necessary that the further light which M mense distance, were enchanted gardens and pa- *sought, and to which he was now, by initiation. i laces, the beauty and magnificence of which excelled the lesser mysteries, justly entitled, should be ob- '4> all that he~had ever seen or imagined before. The, tamed until he should lead to the altar 4~he idol of fragrance ~t the flowers fr~m these gardens of the his heart, and accordingly the company retur3led to blest filled the air, and the rapturous songs of most the capital. entrancing music which came from the palaces * Every thing was in readiness for th9 celebration could only44. co1~Ie from Paradise. The same voice of the nuptials when they ai'rived. . The king's pa- ~v1iich spoke to him and seemed like the presiding lace was by the royal command, the appointed place > ~iius of the place, now addressed him and unrolled for the performance of the ceremony; and when ~e before him ~ha mystic book, and revealed to him its hour arrived, which was on one of th~8~ bright and iYiysters 4~haracters, and explained the most sa- beautiful evenings for which the v~lfry 0' die Nile ed 4ites. is famous, a scene of gorgeous mag *noe~ pr~. scented itself, which Nineveh in all itsglorycoul4 '~ The cerernony was ended, and the Arabian chief was exalted to the sublime distinction of a magician scarcely outrival. A thousand incense-burners of the telnplefr; and now all' that he needed to com- illumed the long ranges of elaborately carved Egypt plete his happiness was the possession of his beloved tian columns surrounding the court, an4 threw their Mirza..' -What he had already realized in the revels- light itpon the grim colossal figures of the portico and ~ tiozis of the temple was sufficient to compens~ta him aveimes leading to and from the palace. The statues for all the terror and danger through which he had of the gods Osiris and Isis, Apis and Serap~s, were p~s~d, but the deeper mysteries yet to be unfolded, garlanded with festoons of the most ~eautifu1 ~ e right by possession thereof to the hand ers. ~The throne was canopied with richest p

~444

~' I

TR~ A57A1~LOGER OF V~fALD~A. ~YPTIAN MYSTERIKSq 195 and flue linen, and the diamonds on the crown and recital of the events of the journey homewar4 vestments 4 the king, like lights from eternity, Suffice it to say, that in due time the party entered ~ ~bone with dazzlitig brightness. The nobility and the Ghor, and Ishmael and his wife were embrace$ beauty and pride of Egypt's proud capital were gath~ by the chief and the mother, while the whQle tribe ered there; but among all the gathered throng there united in demonstrations of joy. were none; of more noble bearing than the Arab Months roll away, and one scene of festivity fol- chieftain, with his dark dress and nodding plumes lowedanotireri: the cavern. The immense spoil ,4d golden signet, nor any more beautiful than his merchant princes was sufficient' ~0' tall, slender, graceful, and happy bride. Upon them tribe in the most lururious living all eyes were fastened as they approached the altar, for years, and, no longer impelled by necessity, the and when they took each other's hand as a signal of chief felt disposed to give himself up to a season of the union of destiny forever, there was ~ universal rest and enjoyment. The young chief and his bride applause which resounded through the palace, and passed the time most; pleasantly, and both engaged when it ceased, soft strains of heartily in. the study of Arabic. Frequently did "Music arose witji voluptuous swell." they mount their steeds at the~early dawft and sally forth along the coasts of the Red sea, and amoi*t Aiid king and nobles, magicians, astrologers, priests, its grand and beautiful scenery would they pus princes, and princesses, alike partook of the general hours and sometimes whole days. joy. Never was marriage attended with greater Being on the western arm of the Red sea, they demonstrations of happiness than was witnessed on oculd descry over the bosom of its blue and beautF. that occasion. ful waters, the rocky shore of Mirza'a native land. The morning after the bridal ceremony, the chief Here and there grew in wild luxuriance among the i~ith hj0 wife, attended by their servants, left the cliffs that lined the ~eastern shore, the oleander wi& palace and started out on their journey in the direc- its beautiful flowers. Beds of white coral sparkled tion of their wild mountain home, promising to return amid the waters, and birds of bright plumage dipped ~gain at no distant; day, the one to perfect himself their. wings in the wave. On the east was~a wide nX a knowledge of the higher mysteries of the tern- ocean of ~sand, stretching to the Elanitic ~ilf~ with p14, and the othet to revisit the home and friends of here and there an oasis, which resembled. small II~> y~outh. We will not detain the reader by a islands covered with pahr~. Farther th ~s. 13 TUE A5T~QIOQ~U OF CUALDRA. i#4 )iGYPTIAN MYSTERIES. i~ dim ~rsp~etiv roi~gh precipitous range ot bad they mounted their ~cameIs, and it could be seen granite' mountains, whose. dark outlines were pie. by the spears which glistened in the light of th~ tured against the -~ky.~ camp fires that they were ready for action. Mirza "There,"saidIshni~el as they journeyed onward, trembled for their safety, but Ishmael drawing -his mountain of our tribe. Shall 'we visit it and "is the trusty blade, drew up closely liy her side and whis- explore its rugged sides and towering sum4~it. It pered "Tear not. Though their numbers are too is many a weary anile, but our Ileet horses will soon great for an encounter, no camels can overtake our l~ear us there." steeds. ' We will wait' until they approach, and then. '~Nay~"~ i4 Mirz~i, "uoti4~now,4We had better we will take ~oircu~ou~ route in th~~~ert in the return an4 'u~'e guides and protection; besides, direction of home.'~ The Arabs ~~ng that The long absent, and our friends we have already been approaching party had stopped, immediately sallied nlay be anxious for our return." forth in pm~sixit, and spreading out at regular dis- Ishmael yielded to the suggestion of his wife, and tances from each other from the coast into the homew~d. The Ghor, they turned their course desert, they sw&pt along. No time was to be lost, and lay at the head ~hieh ,we have already described, Ishmacl starting at full speed, followed by Mirza, ~f the gulf of Suez, and as they' were anxious to was soon face to face with the enemy. With his reach home as soon as possible, they determined to strong arm he smote down his foe, and they passed travel all night. Indeed, night is the most proper the line, and in a short time were beyond the res~ch parts of season to travel in Asia, especially in those of their pursuers. After ~ rapid ride ~f many hours it which lie iiear the equator. The sky, for months they arrived in safety at the cavern, and were once together, is perfectly cloudless, and the moon and more with their friends. ~ 'Stars 4bfle with a radiance unknown to a northern Having made all the preparations necessary for the 1~titude~ As they journeyed on, they saw in' the journey to Sinai, Ishmael and his wife started imme- distance the fires of an encampment. It lay with a strong guard. Passing along the coast to th~t. diatel~ in theW route, and the only way to pass un- point where they entered the desert, they at length it the noticed was b~ taking a sweep around in arrive at t~h~ spot. After a few hours travel they desert.' ~ut the tramp of their Arab steeds had came to the pass of Wadey Sheikh~ On t~he right t~eu lward, and the eye of Ishma'el could detect the the mouiit~ins rose ~raeefully and majestically, and. #~iorsoia'the lock out. kb2r theirapproach. Ah'eady the perpendicuiait pealw were tilted with an .4*. A

?H~ ASTR0LQQ~R 0)? OIIALDEA. EOYPTIAN MYSTE1LX~S. 17 pled rosy hueby the descending beams of the even. his wife commeLced the ascent. Soon they lea~s ing sun. Mountains of less magnitude were around, the goPge, and the beetling crag~ are above theni; frowning in rugged majesty. These were the group and clefts and caverns all around them. Steeper and of Gebel Serbal. Having passed through this Wa- steeper becomes the ascent, and anally their path lay dey, another was entered of a more deep and gloomy between impending masses of vast magnitude, ter- aspect. In this dark passage not a person was to minating above, and still farther on, by two arched be seen nor voice heard except their own. On both gateways, the latter of which introduced them to a sides of the pass, like that of the Uhor, the moun- plain, covered with towering cypress trees. Dut t~ins1aung over ~and seemed to meet. and toppling they had scarcely entered upon their toilsome jour- stand as if ~p. breath would bring them thundering ney. Above and beyond were sharp hanging rocks, down into the chasm below. In the middle of the clefts, and caverns leading the way up to the tower- pass was a huge cavern entered by a very narrow ing summit. At length, after incredible exertion~ it se c~et way, and known only to the Sinaitic tribe. is gained, ~nd there on the narrow peak the vast It was kept from the observation of travelers by region of mo~iintain scenery spread out in terrific having the entrajice entirely closed by a huge rocky grandeur around them. On every side, as far as the misshapen door, which would roll back on its con- eye could reach, the white rocks and sands of Ara- c~ealed iron hinges. Here the pLrty halted for re- bia Petr~ea glistened in the sun, while far to the freshment and rest. southwest the blue waves of the Arabian sea seemed Resuming their journey, in a few hours of some- to mingle with the distant sky. Neither had ever what difficult traveling~ they entered the plain ~l beheld such grandeur and sublimity before, and, Raha, in the center of which rose up in gloomy inspired with the scene, they prostrated themselves jrandeur~hefore them the mountain of Sinai., Scat- in adoration before the great God of heaven., After tere&.here and there over the plain, were passess of exploring the s~immit, they descended aiid joined rock which seemed to have been torn by some con- the company they had left behind at the base of the. vulsioh frog ~the summit of the mountain. Inter- mountain. Refreshments being i readiness for spersed here, a~4 there were accacias and palms and them, they partook, and returned t&t~e'~eeiet cavern~ other trees,~.whiie up the sides and on the summit in the Wadey, where they passed tha nigl4, and were thickly planted ~m~d the ro~ls the ~trees of the next morning started oii their homeWard jouri~d~r. zno~titain. Leaving the guard below, the ch~f ai~d At length having arrived at home~ they gave 4 EGYPTIAN MYSTERIES. 199 198 ASTROWG~R OF CHALDEA. fresh camels and had started on in great haste to and study, occasionally t1i~mselves up to quietness Mamre. Fleeter steeds never bore human beings partaking. of the scenes of excitement and amusb'. than carried the chief and his beautiful Mirza, and around them. ment better riders were never mounted in the chase than with his wife and a detachment Once, in company were the two who followed after. What they saw desirous of revisiting the oasis in of Arabs, being and what they heard, and how long they remained and again beholding th& spot where he the desert after their arrival at the tents of the venerable pa'. from death by the angel, and where the was saved triareh of Mamre, is given in a preceding chapter~ tribe found him and his mother, ]Ishniael stai'ted out into the vast Arabian desert. The oasis lay on the bor4ers contiguous to the land of Canaan, but the desert must be crossed to reach it; and as numerous warlike tribes infested it in various parts, it was necessary that he should be prepared for defense, though in the main there was a common brother'. hood subsisting among the Arabs, yet, when they could not plunder, they would attack each other, and the conquerors would take the spoil, but with as little loss of life as possible and without taking any prisoner~. It was whil&on this excursiolA that Ishmael saw in his solitary ramble in the afternoon of a sultry 4i~, not far from the oasis where his company was ~~n~ampea, a caravan in the distam~e crossing over to the desert of ~eersheba in the direction of Lahai~ roi. Return~ ~4uickIy to his tent he gave orders

to hi~ t re until he should return, and 4 ta~in~)etirz& they mounted their steeds and soon were~ ~ plIr8u t of the caravan. They ascertained at the well Lahai~roi that the company had ~received & ~&

DEATH 01 ABRAHA~1. ~O1 1~ time in the bosom of his family. The promise of Jehovah made to his mother when she was a~i CHAPTER Xlii. outcast from Mainre, and before he was born, had in part beenr fufihled. The joyous shoi~t of children DEATH OF ABRAHAM. met his ears as he ascended to his mansion, and in them he beheld a' generation which was to succeed TZMk rolled on, and during its progress many in- him, numerous as the stars of heaven, unconquer- cidents occurred iu the Siniatic tribe through whose able as the ~irocco that swept the desert, and and influence, gahied by Successive victories, irresistable as the whirlwind that rent the m~i~ii~- nea~y &ihl the vast desert became subject to its tains. For their future fate he could have ~io sway. Through the force of its arms, tribe after anxiety. His faith in the Divine promise, alrea~1y tribe joined its standard, its castles and fortifica- so wonderfully fulfilled, assured him that they like tions became so numerous and powerful, especially himself, were children of a destiny that no earthly in Uec~y~ 'Arabia, that it was only by the payment power could set aside. of ~ heavy tribute effected through the negotiations Hagar's eventful life was drawing to a close, but of Ishmael with Egypt and Persia, that caravans up to the latest hour did she watch with a mother's were allowed to pass through the c~un try. By this care over the training of her descendants, shaping means the Arab Chieftains beci~me not only strong their young and tender minds for that great drama and powerful but vastly opulent. of hu~nan - life in which they were to be principal Ishmael had become a mighty chief, and at the actors. Each of the sons of Ishuiael w~ to become ~eath of his adopted father succeeded to the highest the head of a nation, and their descendants were to~ ~anIc in ~the tribe. He had, in the mean time occupy the land until the end of time. r~44~ Egypt, and in due order had received Desiring, as she did, to close her j~ at t1~,. ~ ~he mjsterious rites of th~ temple, thereby form- fountain where Jehovah had appeared to her, and ing an enduring alliance with the astrologers, where the life of Ishmael was so wonderfully pre~ priests, az'4 magicians of that nation, which lasted served, she was accompanied by the chieftain~ his to the, ~ ~f ,hig ei~entful life. He had 'built for wife, and their children, with a d aehu*iei4 of hims4f ~ magnificent castle among the rocks, and Arabs, who, by short and easy passages bore her there, *hen free from the tcdls of war, he spent his, across the desert to the wilderness of Paran. Her. 200 202 >TRE ASTROLOGER O~' CHALDEA. D~ATU OF ABWIAM. 203 a tent was pitched for Ilagar and the family, and resort in consequence of the numerous pilgrimages every attention that filial kindness could bestow, it was given to soothe and comfort the weary mother made to from all parts of Arabia. N~ deadly here Hostile bands here in her last hours. J>ay after day she partook of' strife had ever occurred 4 rvtet as friends and brothers, drank together of the the reviving waters, but she continued to decline waters, and reposed in its shade. Here, in after and grew weaker and weaker until the hour of years, Mahomet the prophet, a descendant of Ish. dis8olution approached, when she sank as sinks the born,-and here, after his long and bril" evening sun in the unbeclouded skies of Ar~by. mael, was while his tomb is j~ery voice was hushed in the tent of afihiction, liant career, he was buried, yearly visited by innumerable pilgrims even i~nto as softly and silently the last sleep stole over her the present day. senses. Affection could not stay her, or the sweet ~ut we niust now return, to Mamre,....4o the voice of her daughter would have arrested the spirit family of Abraham. Sarah slept in quiet repose in iis~ flight as she breathed gently into her dying among the rocks and evergreens and flowers of the ear~he accents of love. consecrated Machpelah, and Abraham had taken to I4~rei~ell, thou wandering child of sorrow,-thou himself other companions to comfort&him in,~'the hast at last found an unbroken slumber. The God wearisome journey of life. Isaac and Rebecca had w~ho saw thee and succored thee when an unbe~ been blessed of the Lord with children of wonder- friended outcast alone in the wilderness, has taken ful promise and equally wonderful destiny. They thee to himself, and in that better world where had removed to the patriarchal possessions at Lahai- jealousies are forgotten and rivalries are unknown, roi, and through the powerful influence of his thou shalt dwell in peace forever. father, Isaac had become a mighty prince in Pales. The days of mourning being ended, on the spot tine. He possessed a calm and quiet disposition, '~~her&i~agony she fell when her beloved. Ishxnael uniting the gentleness of his mothe~'~ith the ~was supposed to be dying, her grave was made. urbanity and self-possession of his father, and Over this sacred spot Ishmacl caused a temple to nothing afforded him greater happiness thairto. rule be erected, which he consecrated to the worship of. over his own household and cultivate amity and his motlwr's God. This place of hallowed memo- peace with the surrounding princes. While~ the 'ries was afterwards ~known by the name of Mecca, voice of his exiled brother was for war, and his 'which in the Arab tongue, means a place of great very name was a terror to the dwellers ~in t~h~ desert

"if ~04 r THhi ASTROLOGER OF ORALDEA. P~ATU OF AI3RAUAM. 205 and all w4io traversed its wastes, his was the v~oiee der of the sons, were only to receive gifts, refused of pe~ and his friendly alliances embraced the to be present ou the occasion, and sent o of hi~ entire ~ountry. Abraham had also other sons born chief officers to inform his father that 1~e needed to him which in after years became heads of not his gifts nor his protection, as God had given nations, men of various destiny scattered abroad. him the whole of Arabia, and if he cho~,o he could In process of time his already extensive possessions make Palestine subject to his sway. The intelli- became vastly enlarged, and the astrologer and gence troubled the patriarch not a little, as he exile from Chaldea beca~ae one of the mightiest recollected how he had sent the mother and his boy pri~is~es of the East. fugitives abroad In the desert.. That all motives His pilgrimage, however, was about to clese, and for an invasion .of the territory of Isaac, whose having done the errand of his destiny on. earth, lie pacific disposition would lead him to make any was afr~ut to join his beloved in heaven. He had sacrifices for peace, might be removed out of the n~4~ched the 'age of one hundred and seventy- way, Abraham conceived the idea of sendin~iiis ars, embracing a period of several genera- other sons into the distant East. AccoLr tions, ~id after having witnessed more in, tbe after having bestowed upon them princely gjft~ eventM~ history of his life than any who had pre- according t~o their age, he pronounced upon thorn his ceded him, and having more involved in that blessing and sent them away. He would gladly ~ history, so far- as huinau destiny was concerned, have looked upon the face of his son Ishmael again than was ever before or since known to man, he before bidding adieu to the world, but from what made all due prepaTation for his departure from he had learned of the Arab wildness of his disposi- earth. That he might make that disposition of his tion, he entertained no hopes ~f ever beholding estates, which to him seemed right and proper, he again his first born. Isaac was to him ~uow his s~mmozi~jL~all his descendafits to the paternal abode only hope, and as the child of promise miractiltiusly at Mamre. preserved, but not more so than Ishmach the child The proud heart of Ishmaei the eldest and conse- of destiny, he was the consolation of his declining quently the first-born of the patriarch, when days. With all the tender solicitude of an affec- through t~he intelligence of messengers, he learned tionate child, Isaac watched his declining hour~. that Y~i~ younger brother Isaac was to inherit the Rebecca, also, the dutiful and affectionate Rebecca, vast estates of his father~ arid he, with the remain-. never left the side of the dying patriai~ch. DEATH OF ABRAHA*. .207 ~Q6 THE ASTROLOGER OF CH~U.DEA. On one of midnight's loneliest hours, when every When mQrning came, the sad news of death was voice ~iis hushed ~nd all was still in Mamre, Isaac borne in every direction. Every tent i~ire the- sorrow, and Mamre was clad ?and Rekecca were watching with intense anxiety traces of affliction and the last~ flickering rays of life that gleamed from in mourning as when the beloved S~h died. the sunken eyes of the patriarch as he lay stretched Death, however, came not as he often comes, with on the couch of death. He had given them his angry brow and relentless arm, to smite down youth parting blessing and had turned away to breathe in all its flower of pride and loveliness. The rosy his last, as two 'strangers, a man and woman, dressed health of youth's soft cheek was not made to decay in Arab costume, entered the tent and walked softly by his blighting touch as when the angel of death to the side'~ of the couch. From their dress and spread his wings over Sodom or the camp of the manners, the former of which displayed a richness proud Assyrian, but like summer's softest sweetest and l~gance, and the latter an ease and grace sigh that shuts the rose, the spirit of Abrah~i was re rarely met with, they evidently be- wafted away when full of years and ripe for ?iii~moru long ~4o the higher caste of Arabian nobility. tality, to the home of the blest. After gazing for a moment upon the unconscious The days of mourning being ended, preparations patriarch, the Arabian turned to the weeping Isaac were made for the funeral,-and to pay the last and said, ti ibute of respect for the memory of the prince and ~ Does my father live ~ patriarch of M~mre, the former friends and allies A moment, and brother was in brother's embrace, of Abraham assembled from all parts of the coun- Magi and Rebecca and Mirza following the example, were try. Princes from Arabia, Astrologers and came to the locked fast in sisterly affection. 'I~he expressions from Egypt and Chaldea and Persia, &f surprise and tenderness which occurred at that funeral. At length the solemn procession is in hour,~ however, passed not the dull co]d ear of motion, and sad strains of music fill the air as the the grove in the direction death. The patriarch had g6ne to the spirit world. multitude wind through following the It ,was not for him to gaze upon a scene which of Machpelah. First in the train Isaac and Rebecca, then Ishmael and would have caused his~ heart to rejoice in the midst hearse are of both families, ~f affliction and death, but he had passed away to Mirza, with the numerous relatives thst world where nothing is hidden from the pz~re and their children. Then followed the sons of and ehildreu, bright vision of the departed. Abraham by Keturah, and their wives I,

2Q8 THE 4STROLOGER 01? OUALpEA. DEATH OF AA1L4.M~i 209~ after which came the Astrologers, Magicians, and in this world. They had met but once before since Priests~of different lands, and last of all the numer- Ishmael's cruel exile, but that was in the house -of ous servants of the patriarch. It was a solemn mirth, when all was joy and gladness , when the sc4pe, "~a~d as the procession entered the rocky favorite son was united to the blooming a~d'~highly cemetery, in the deep shade of which was the favored bride. They met when a~ father~ blessing family vault which contained the ashes of the long rested alone~ Upon an idol chiki, upon whose destiny~ departed Sarah, Thaa~ and Jshmael lifted up their no evil star shed its baleful influence, and when the voices and wept. The vault being opened, and all proud heart of the ill-fated Ishmael for a moment things being in rea4iness for depositing the relics was tremulous with emotion, and then was filled with in their lasP Testing place on earth beside those of stern and settled rage, but not despair, for be too his beloved Sarah, The funeral chant began, which was a child of destiny, and wildly he went out to was followed by solemn and mysterious rites, when fulfil that destiny in the 4~sert land. But now all thai .was earthly of him who led they most they meet again, not- that~ Ishmael may be excited eventi'ul~ life and exhibited the most remarkable to jealousy and revenge, for he is a prince among faith, having obtained a name which has come his equals, and needs neither patrimony nor favor down through all succeeding generations as the from man. He had already cut his way through "friend Qf God" and the "father of the faithful," mountainous difficulties up to the highest point of was committed to dust. earthly renown, and his name was known, honored, ~Slowly and sadly the procession returns, ~nd the and feared, from the Euphrates to the Red sea, and various companies which had assembled from from Sinai to the gates of Damascus. Through his various parts of. the land return to their respective swift-winged messengers he had kept himself ad- homes, solemnly impressed with the sCenes they vised of the declining health of his father, and from had witnessed, realis~ng that it was better to go to time to time was apprised of jhis approaching the house of mourning than to the house of mirth, dissolution, and he had of his own free will and. and that by the sorrows of earth the heart is made accord come to see him die. He was his father better. After remaining a few days the descendants still, though he had sent him away from home and of Abraham separate for their homes. Isaac and friends, and he had a generous heart as well as a 'Ishmael, Rebecca and Mirza, taker a last and fond daring hand. But he came too late to meet with adieu, never to look upon each other's faces again recognition. The darkness of death was on tlT~e 14 21~ TES ~ow*sa or 011 ALDEA. 4 father, for he had entered the valley and was croas~ ing death'L river ere ~ tb~ s6~ arri~ed. ThuB Iabmael an&~saac met, ~id now they were forever to ~ nevEr to meet again until thq should CHAPTER XIV. m irit~ie communings of another ~or1d, wer~ TH~ CHILD OF PROMISE. all that separates US here ~an have no e~istenoe. I AFTER the days of mourning f~r his father bad possessionsended, ai~d toall which matters he hadpertaining fallen heir,to the Isaac,~ immense with a sad and heavy heart, left Mamre with all its ~cen~s, connected with hi~ childhood and youth, and the hallowed as~oci~tions~ which ~very where came wding around J~im wa1~$~ sorrowful r~mh~. joys; never, alas, to return, iscences of departed and took ~ ~his abode at Lahabroi. The dead, though 1~ ~v~ere not forgotten4 Often would his mind wander to that cool a~questered rocky cave on the mountain range where slept in undisturbed quiet and solitude his loved though lost father and mother. He was the promised child, and through him the covenant made by Jehovah with his~ father was to descend, and whose family in~itts far-reae)iltlg branches was to spread itself out and possess the land from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river ~uphrates, the Kenites and the Kenizzites and the Kadmonites and the Hittites and the Periz- zites and the Rephaims and the Amo~ites and the Canaanites and the Gir~~hites and the ~Jebusites~ 211 212 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. I TZU~ CHILD OF flQMX$~. Prior, however, to the occupancy of this vast mont, still he staggered not at the promise which country, the descendants of Isaac were to pass had in his own person been so far ~ufirmed. through various fortunes ~they were to be strangers him the fight of faith was manfully fought, and in in a rangee land, where they were to be reduced to fervent prayer and humble reliance upon Jehovah, a state of va~salage, and groan for centuries under whose wonderful Interposition ic the behalf of his the yoke of cruel tyrants until the power of God father sustained him in the conflict, he believed should be magnified in their behalf, and they should on. At length the time came for its fulfilment, be delivered rom bondage and enter upon 'their Rebecca became pregnan4~but there were circum- God given inh ritance. stances connected with that delicate condition of a Soon after t e arrival of Isaac at Labai-roi, or more painful character than usually fell to the lot Beers eba, the gr at Jehovah appeared to him while of Oriental women. So extreme were her sensa- V ~ engag in olThri g up the evening sacrifice, and tions that she sought relief a~the divine owe~le, said," o not d *rinto Egypt; 4~ell in4his land and in eonsult4tion received t~ startling intel~li~ which IL tell thee ot Sojourn in this land gence that she should~be delivered of two children and I will be with thee and will bless th.~e, for unto who shouW .be the heads of two distinct powerful thee and unto thy seed I will giire all these coun~ nations, and that the contest in which they should tries, and I will perform the oath ~which I swore engage for superiority had already begun ere yet unto Abraham thy father, and I will make thy seed they were born, as prophetic of their future history, to n~mltiply as the stars of heaven, and I will give and that in process of time the ene first borz* should unto thy seed all these countries, and in thy seed yield to the superior fore~ and power of the d~her. shall ~ll the nations of the earth be blessed." The t iF1i~r deI~1~"M lekigth arrived; the Twenty years had now passed away since the child that ~r~t entered the world was covered with ma,~tiige of Isaac with Rebecca, and although to red hai#, and~ he was from tbjs ~e~rcumstanc& galled him was the promise renewed and through him was Esau, which in the Hebrew tongue sig~ni~es a ~ation numerous a~ the stars of heaven for multi- cloth.. The birth of the other immediately succeed- tude to spring, yet he had no children. It required ing an4 so closely that he touched his heel with his a. faith like to that which was exercised by his hand, was a circumstance which gave rise so father ii~ the divine promise, and although every another remarkable ~iame, Ai~4 he w~s csllrnl b~y

- 4hing wore a gloomy aspect in regard to its ful~l- father, Jacol~, which ai~uifiea the supplanter $f his

)

I k

314 TRR ASTR0L0Q~R O~' CHALD~A. TJ~ OHILD OW~ flOMJE. 216 brother. Notwithstanding the ~wbnderful revelation and hardships of life, His chief desire seemed to r~ade to Reb~bca' in regard to the destipies of her be in the domestic quiet of home, and his m6ther'I children, involving as their lives would an immense society was more to him than all else beside, The amount o aIixi~Ly and trouble to her maternal gentleness of his disposition and the quietnes~ of

~, heart, still they were alike her children) and she his demeanor were such as to endear him to his joiced over them with all the fullness of a mother, who watched over him with maternal mother's love. As they grew up around her and tenderness, and often manifested for him a greater she beheld their infant minds expand under her partiality ~than for the wild and daring Esau.' The parental training% and in their young and innocent elder brother was, notwithstanding his. roughness glee they were happy in the light of her smile, the of aspect, the pride of hi~ father, who wAs delighted thought of the future,~ when those, now guileless at his bravery and the success whieli crowned his h would be liliod with envy and hatred toward efforts in the excitements of the chase. Tjhe a o other, ai~d those soft gentle tones would grow tion of the father was requited by the son, harsh and aigry, and those delicate hands hardened often brought him from the forest of lisersheba into nn~nhood would be lifted up in deadly strife, products of his skill as a hunter lu the savory would fill her mind with sad and melancholy fore- venison which loaded the table of the patriarchal bodings. tent. The days of their youth had come, and father, An event occurred about this time, whieb, while mother, and ehildreii were happy in the endearments it developed the character of Esan and Jacob. at of *eir peaceful home. ~They could iiot but wit- the same ti~ne was connected with events of a n~re ness a gr~at dissimilarii~yin the temper and habits remarkable character ~ tli~ir future history,~u of their eons. r The first Worn had rough and ruddy account of the important bearing which it had t~poa features; with-a fi~ry.~pirit and bold if not reckless their destiny. Scripture history informs us that on daring he Would sally forth to the wilderDess with a certain occasion, as Eaau returned from a 1on~ the hunters to join the chase. The othei' was of and toi1~ome chase. weary with fatig~te and hungry, calm and peaceful disposition~ and sought his happi.. as he approached the tent of his father, he met Iris, ness in the quiet retreats of iaome. 'His features, brother who was just abQut to. paxtake of a savory bailil0 those ~ lilA elder brother, were mild and mess of red p6ttage whioli had been prepare4~$or ~oin~ly, indie~ating~ a~ mind i~usuited to the tut~ults him. Oxi ae~ouut oi[ its' 'redness it was I 218 THIC AST1WLOG~~ QFc CHALDEA. TH~ CHILD OF PROMISE. 217 Approaching hi~ br~ier Jacob, weak and be the channels th~vgh which were to flow in *i3lt for wnVQf food, he thus addressed him. unceasing streams a universal love and good will t~ ' Feed we, I pray thee, with that same red pot.. man. t~ge, for I-'am ~ai~it2' After this event, Esau was called Edom from the To this humane request Jacob replied, "Sell me nature of the postage, as has already been re* this day thy birthright." marked. He had sold his birthright, and feeling 'Almost dying with hunger, having been long 4 little interest in a home where his mother and away and unsuccessful in the chase, Esan replied in br~th~r had consorted against him, he wasted to the Ms extremity, "Behold, I am at the point to die, wilderness ~f rocky 'Arahia, and in the mountains and what profit shall this bir~thright do me ?" of Sin, which stretch in wild and glooi~iy grandeur "Swear then to me,'~' said Jacob, "this day." along the southern extremity of the Dead sea, and u took the fatal oath and sold his birthright, include the northern portion of what is denominated partaking of the pottage and lentils, he de- Arabia Deserta, he halted with a view to mar his abode; He was now in the confines of a We may ask what were the rights of primogeni. country of Iahmael, his father's brother, and having t~ure. or titles or distinction or wealth to a man met some of the wandering tribes of that wild perishing with hunger if they cannot procure for chieftain in his hunting excursions, he sought, now him assistance in thai; dreadM hour. And we may that he was an exile from home, to unite his fore ask what the kindness and hospitality of a brother at tunes with that wild and fearless people. After a ~ in plenty who coi~ld~a~ke advantage of 81101i a long and weary journey he arrived at length a~$he di4 necessity and rob J4~ 'brother of. hi~ nghts ? rock built castle of Ish~ae1, and making hi 'If .AAa~, that such gentlete~ an&amiability of dispo- known to his uncle, withA~ circumstances connected sition should at once, as if by some infernal with his Aile, he was ~received by him with marked chewyw, be ohangod into a sordid selfishness that hospitality and treated in a princely style. Nor c~quld, like a #~anker~ eat out of the sQUI every was he long in proving himself' ~*orthy of the~ g~riezous ~inipulse and kindly emotion. Strangely alliance, for in many. of the journeys of the tribe to nqater 9118 'is thia trai~saetion in the life of the which he was attached, did he' give evidence of a deuda~t& of that. Vatriaroh tb~rough whoni all skill and bravery in the chase and in the ~ght, O~ILWS familiar u~re tc~ be blessed, and who were~to I which woti the"~hearts of all. intelligencee of his A

* TH~ A8TR0LOG~B O~' CHALDIC&. '~H~ CHILD OF PRQMZSE.

heroism soon reached the e~r~ of Ishxn~el, and he of the famine; have lenty ~o subsist~ upon, and in ~1t pMid of ~stch a kinsman This attachment obedience to thQ 4oath which he had 4sw9rn4o hi~ ii~crease ut~til a period arrived in which an oppor- father Abraham, would cause his descendants to ~as tunity afforded him of giving still stronger multiply exceedingly, and possess the whole land evidence, by granting the hand of his daughter, ~ of Canaan. young and beautiful maiden, in marriage to the Accordingly, in obedience to the Divine com.~ youllg and noble hearted Esan. The chieftain at mand, he resolved to take up his residence at Gerar. once promoted him to the head of a tribe ana to resort to a lie had agreed with his wife Rebecca (I assigned him possession~ in the mountains of Seir, stratagem which presents the same strange and from which circutastance the country was afterwards remarkable species of deception which was adopted called Mom. by his father at the sa~ne place and from precisely ~ut we must return to the family and fortune~ the same motives. The coincidence is wonderful, 4~~aac.~ Though engaged extensively in the and if Isaac .had been' made acquainted with ~ c4t~ation of the earth, and having, numerous flocks conduct of his father, and the reproof which~ he aiid herds, men servants and maid servants, like his received of the Lord for such an unwarrantable father, his ressirces were exhausted by a famine procedure, we are at a loss to know how to explain wJ~ich prevailed in the land~ and like his fathe~' he it. But~ so it was: fearing that his wife, on account resolved on moving to Egypt, always the land ~f of her beauty, would be sought for by the king of plenty, for no matter h~w wide spread and desola- Gerar, who ha~l the power of appropriating all t2h~ tix ~vas the famine which signeded in the countries handsome females of his kingdom to Ibis own use~ it of i~East,, Egypt's gr~u~ never were exhausted, was agreed between them, that she should pass 4~ the unfailing ~waters of th~~{ile causing the land to his sister. The deception wod~ed admirably for ~ 'yield her increase. Gatheriug together his moveable~ time, and nothing could be seen in the familiarity property, consisting 4of servants and ~catLle, he de- which existed between them that would indicate parted. W1ie~ he had arrived ~on this route at the any other relation than that by which they~ passed town of Gerar, a city belonging to the Philistines, as brother~ and sister. For a long ti~ie he dwelt in he was admonished ky Jehovah not to go 4own into peace and safety Li Gei~ar, and nothing occ~irredte ~gypt~ but to remain where he then was, assuring hi~ iuterrup~ t~e happiness of the patriarchal fainily~ ~thM he should ~~ec~ured from all the coie~juenees At leugt~i, however, suspicion awakened tj~at ~FHE M~ROL0GER OF eHALDJ~A. THi~ CHILD OF PROMISE. ~ was not as It seemed, au4 Ii~hat a more intimate l~ati6~ ~xi~t~d betw~eu Isaac and Rebet~ca than said t&him "Go from us, fo~ thou art much mightiet would justify the assertion 'that they were only than we." Upon this Isaac removed' with his brother and sister. To ~atisfy himself fully in re~ family and took up his -possessions in a valley gard to this point the king resolved to watch. their adjoining the town of Gerar. The difficulties, movements closely, and beholding on a certain however, which existed between his servants and occasion as he looked through his window a. scene those of the> king still followed him, and such was which could not with propriety transpire only be- the unhappy state produced by the unfriendly tween husband and wife, he was confirmed in the collision, that he finally determined to return to his belief that' Isaac had deceived him, and accordingly old home at BeArsheba4 summoned~ him to his presence. Scarcely had he arrived at his hon~e than, as ~n* "Behold," said the king, "of a surety she is thy indication that the movement was a right one, he~ ~jfg, and how saidst thou, she is my sister!" 'Lord Jehovah appeared unto him and renewed he "I said she is myA sister because I should have covenant in the following words. "I am the been plain for her." of Abraham thy father; fear not, for I am with tee Thbiking then iss~ied a co~nmand that whosoever and will bless tlv~ee and multiply thy seed for y should touch Isaac or his wife should surely be put servant Abrahams sake." Here t~ death. he erected an altar and offered up his sacri- fices, ~ A ~cerMin portion of the land ~as assigned to and under the divine ,auspices all th4gs him, and lie prospered exceedingly, so triuch so that pertaining to hi~ family went on prosperously. ii~ the same year his land brought forth an hundred The friendship which existed between Isaac and the king of Gerar fold, his servants and fiock~nd herds also increased was~ not interr4ted, not With- standing the difficulties astonishingly, and -his possessio~is became vast, so which existed between their servants, and it much so that he was envied i~y the Philistines. was not long until an opportunity presented itself for renewing that friendship. Such wa~ their animosity that "they filled up the Ta-. king with him one of his Wel1~ which his father Abraham had dug during his friends and allies together with the captain of his army, residence'in Gerar. & great was his -iniluence and the monarch of Gerar paid a visit to Beersheba, and power, that tl~e king becoming fezg4'~ml that his seeking the presence of Isaa~e, they presented fui'th.r contini~ee would be a soutee of; trouble, themselves as his friendE That h~ might not be left to conjecture in regard to I TH$ A.STROLOGRR OF QA~ALD~A. TUI~ OJiILD OF PIWMISE. the xraotiv~eswhicli prompted the visit and the ~bj~ct dangerous precipices, with here 4 they had i~i yiew, and that the mind of Isaac might and there vast amphitheaters opening out from be perfectly ~t rest in relation thereto, they iinnie. narrow~ valleys, and rising up on either side hundreds of diately laid before him the design of their visit. feet. One ~f these amphitheaters of rock was entered by "We have seen," said they, "that the Lord a narrow ~pass scarcely sufficient to allow two Jehovah is with thee, and we desire thatf a covenant l~orse- men to pass abreast. From the sides of this avenue should be entered into between u~ and as we have the rocks rose up~ to a height of five hundred done thee no harm, having sent thee away in peace, feet. This was the ouly entrance we ask that an oath may be taken of a friendly and outlet~ Within, the surface was level, with here alliance." and there fissures in the rocky pavement, while around on every side ~he proposition was well received by Isaac, and the rocks rose up perpendicularly to the having now an opportunity of reciprocating the same height of those in the narrow entrance. hospitalities which he had enjoyed at the hands of Out of the open~ ings in the rocks, both in the pavement and around ithe kizrg, he ordered a sumptuous feast pr~pa~ed, the sides, grew in great abundance wild fig trees and the allies delighted themselves in the ~social and luxuriant vines, / with here and there oleanders, entertainment thus provided.-.-.Having a~compli~h~d whose beautiful flowers contrasted strangely with the ~phj~ct of their visit, early one n~iorning,~th th~ bald granite rocks from which they sprux~. t1~ blessing of Isaac and his hQuse~ they departed For safety or pleasure no retreat could offer gr~t~r t~Ai~ir h inducements to a desert wanderer We oine& in peace. in The now return to Esau. Having as we have range of the wild and rocky country which caine to already seen, been recei~re4 with great favor by the the possession of ]~sau. As it had been formed by bhieftain of Arabia, and ha~1ng been admitted into the hand of the Creator as an abode for man, while his family and promoted to tl~e ohieftainship of a it furnished in its enormous bunches of grapes and powerful tribe, he started out with his young and large luscious figs, the richest food to satisfy his heroic wife, bearing away with him the blessings of hunger, a pure and perpetual steam of sparkling his father~aftd mother, to enter upon hi~ ~ossessiofl8 water issued from the base of a perpendicular clifr in, vli~ mountainsA The region of cOuntry in which and meandered through ~the amphitheater, finding h* ~Q~tled was wild and rocky, being composed of an outlet in the narrow' pass we have already long nount&in ranges, frightful chasms, steep and described, quenched his thirst. *

THB ASTaCI ~ CjIALDEA. here in this city ~xt I&ck, as it was afterwards called and which name it hears to this day,~ Esan, i~th his lovely and beautiful wife and numerous warrior's, took up his abode. In this mountain home he was visited by Ishmael and Mirza, and CHAPTER XIV.-OONTINUED. many were the happy days spent in each others society. To render the, place still more desirable, WHILE the king of Edom, for the country was now called by his name Ishmael s9 ~t to Egypt for artificial's in stone, and and he was every where out of the mountain sides~ which rose up around hailed as its ruler, was engaged in extending and them, were excavated a royal palace. To this were fortifying his territory by well disciplined wan4ors, added other dwellings for the tribe, and tombs for a message came to him from Beersheba. It was the dead were constructed, as also a temple for the from his father, who had now grown old, and who worship of Jehovah, the God of Abraham, and feeling the infirmities of age creeping upon him, realized his Isaac, and Ishinael, as well as Esau and Jacob.. So near approach to death. Before his fan3ous did the city of Rock become, that in aftei' departure from earth he was desirous of once more years being visited by Pharaoh who had in his enjoying the presence of his first born, and impart- family become allied with the descendants of Esau ing to him his dying blessing. Though Esau had a rough exteriOr he had nevertheless ~Zdom, the proud king of Egypt had a temple cut a kind and out~f the rock, which bears his name and stands generous heart, and he could not but feel kindly perfect to this day. Additional ornaments were towards his aged father. Accordingly, having wade to grace the city, and among these were made the necessary preparation, he started on his triumphal arches in comzn~moration of victories journey towards his childhood home.. While on achieved by Esau and his warriors. his way as he passed through the wilderness of Beersheba, where he had spent his boyhood days i~i the wild sports of the chase, the recollection of his brother's unkindness and the advantage he took of his necessities were brought to his mind with painful vividness. Notwithstanding he had been deprived of his birthright, yet, so wonderfully had he been prospered in his way, occupying as he did 225 4

&$26 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. THE CHILD OF PROMISE. 2~7 a position of power and influence vastly superior mother, afl(l being determined to thwart the ~iir- to his brother, that lie had long since dismissed poses of Isaac and bring the hie~~ing whioh he the thought, and had ilot the scenes through which intended for Esan upon his idolized brother, she hit he was passing called up the recollection of the, upon the following expedient, illustrative of her event, he would not have allowed the act of Jacob strong partiality as it was of the ever fruitful mind to have disturbed his wanted tranquility of mind. of woman: she directed Jacob to go to the field and At length he arrives at the old. homestead, and kill two kids and dress them, bringing her the the patriarch being apprised thereof, requested that skins. When he returned she prepared the mess of he be. brought immediately into his presence. He savory meat, and taking the skins, she so cut and desired t~ receive him alone, and Rebecca the fitted them upon the hands and neck of Jacob as to mother, aware of the intent for which he had sent make him resemble his brother; then taking the for him, placed herself in a position where she raiment which Esau had left in his haste when he could overhear all that was said. This she was departed from home in quest of his fortune in a enabled to do the more readily from the fact that strange land, she placed the savory mess in his Isaac~ through age had become blind. No sooner hands and told him to go and give it to his father. had a servant announced his presence in the private When he appeared in the presence of the blind chamber and departed, than the following conversa- patriarch, he thus addressed him: tio~ ensued: "My father!" "Esau, my son." "Here am J,.who art thou my son?" "Behold, here I am my father." "I am Esau, thy first born; I have done accord- "Behold, now that I ~m old, I know not the day ing as thou baddest me; arise, I pray thee, sit and of my dea~h. Now, therefore, take, I pray thee, eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me." thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out "How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my to the field and get me some venison and make me son?" a savory meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, "Because the Lord thy God brought it unto me." that I may eat, that my soul may bless thee before "Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee I die." my son, whether thou art my~ very son l~sau or "I will, my father," and so saying, he departed. not." All this was communicated to Jacob by his At this Jacob cautiously ~approached his father, £28 TIlE ASTRQLOGEU OF CHALDEA. THE CHILD OF PROMISE. wko on feeling his hands exclaimed, "the vpice "Who art thou?" is ~cob's voice, but the hands are the hands of * "I am thy son, thy first born Esan." Esan. Art thou my very SOn Esan?" The fearful truth now flashed upon Isaac's mind "I am." that he had been deceived, and his whole frame shook ~"Bring the venison near to me and I will eat of with agonizing emotion. it th~tniy soul may bless thee." "Who ?" he exclaimed, "where is he that1 liath ~Jac~b at~cordingly brought the dish and placed it taken venison and brought it to me and I have eaten near his father, at tiio~ same time giving him wine, before thou camest, and have~ blessed him; yea, which he drank. and he shall be blessed." After he had finished the repast he called Jacob, The words of the father fell with crushing weight still suppossing him to be Esau, and said, "Come upon the heart of Esa~, and he bried out in the near now and kiss me, my son." He approached bitterness of his soul, "Bless me, even me also, 0 and kissed him, and smelling the odor of my fathe " raiment with which the deceiver was 4othed, he To this Isaac replied, "thy brother came with exclaimed, -" the smell of my son is the smell of a deceit and hath taken away my blessing." field which the Lord bath blessed, therefore Jehovah "Is he not," said Esau, "rightly named Jacob, give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of for he hath supplanted me these two times; he took the earth, and plenty of corn and wine. Tact people away. my birthright, and behold now he hath taken serve thee and nations bow down to thee, be lord away my blessing; but 0 my father hast thou not over thy brethi~~5~ and let th~r mother's sons bow reserved a blessing for me ?" down to thee. ~Oursed is every one that curseth "Alas, my son, I have ma4e l~im thy lord, and three, and Idessed is every one that blesseth thee." all his brethren have I given to him for servants, Scarcely had the blessing been pronounced and and with corn and wine have I sustained him, ~in& Jacob departed from the presence of his father, ere what shall I do now unto thee, my son?" Esan returned from the hunt with the venison. "Hast thou but one blessixig, my father? Bless Having prepared it he carried it to his father, and me, even me, also, 0 my father I" placing it before him, said, These words were uttered with passionate earnest "Let my father arise and eat of his son's venison, ness, they were more than the patriarch could bear, that thy soul may bless me." and in the fullness of his heart he exclaimed, "fle 230 230THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. THE CHILD OF PROMISE. hold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth it for himself, came up before him, ar~d associated and of the dew of heaven from above, and by thy as the recollection of his conduct was with the sword sh~lt thou live and shalt serve thy brother, injustice perpetrated upon him by his uncle, he and it shall come to pass when thou shalt 'have the could not but feel that he had deeply wronged and doi~iinion, that thou sl~alt break his yoke from off injured his brother. Under such impressions 7 a9i~e thy peck." approached the confines of Edoni on his journey~, he For the first act of Jacob by which he had taken became greatly troubled. This w~s greatly ~4n- advantage of the necessities of Esau he was for- creased~ by being stopped in one of the passes of given, but for this last act Esan was too greatly the Seir mountains by a troop of Arab warriors, incensed, and though he would not embitter the, last who only allowed him to proceed on his journey by days of his father by seeking revenge, yet, so soon his claiming kindred with Esau. In his mind again as he was dead and the days of mourning for him was revived the fear of Esau, whose threat prompted were ended, he would slay him. Rebecca, fearing him to leave home and go to Assyria. In this such a result, sent Jacob to her father's house in state of perturbation he resolved on sending an Assyria. Here he married two wives, and remained embassy to Esau for the purpose, if possible, of for a period of twenty years. Esau returned to allaying his resentment, and securing conditions of his home in Edom. peace. Accordingly, he sent his brother the Some difficulties arising between Jacob and following message: Laban, his father-in-law, he determined to leave "My lord Esau, thy servant Jacob saith thus, I Assyria with his wives ~nd flocks and herds, and have sojourned with Laban and stayed there until return to Canaan. He had been twenty years noW. I have oxen and asses, and men servants and absent from his f~aiive land, and now that he was on maid seRvants, and I have sent to~ tell my lord that his return, the various scenes through which he I may find grace in his sight:" had passed were vividly presented to his mind. flut the warriors who had intercepted the path of The inhumanity and unrighteousness of hh. conduct Jacob in the mounttdns ~had apprised Es~u of his in taking advantage of hi~ brother's necessities, approach, and snpposing that his father was dead, robbing him of his birthright, and his subsequent for he had. heard nothing for a long tiipe from deception practiced upon his blind old father by Beersheba, he took a chosen band of four hundred which lie 4aprived Esau of his blessing and secured warriors and went Qut to meet him. The messeft~ ~32 THE ASTROLOUEU oF CHAIADEA. THE CHILD OP PROMISE. 233

gers sent oy Jacob had not pro~eeded a great way not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, and all on 1~heir journey until they met Esau with his army, the truth which thou hast ~shown un~ thy servant, and being made acquainted with his intentions, for with my staff I passed over this Jordan, and tliy hastened back to inform Jacob. The intelli- now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray was of a startling and terrific character, and thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hem~reely knew what could be done. As no time of Esau, for I fear him, lest he will come and smite w to be lost, he resolved upon the following me and the mother with the children Thou Taking one half of the people and th~ flocks and I will surely do thee good and make thy ed as the herds, he sent them in advance, with the following sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for presents for Esan, nam4y, two hundred she goats multitude." While thus engaged in prayer, an and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes and twenty angel appeared, and in his great distress and anguish ram0, Lhirty milch camels with their colts, twenty of soul he seized hold upon hiiki, believing him to she asses and ten foals. Each drove was to be kept be the angel of the Lord, and determined not to let separate, and they were directed forward. Whien him go until he should be assured of deliverance they approached the army ~f Esau, which halted as and safety from the wrath of Esau. The angel told they~ came up, the chieftain addressing the first *him to let him go, at the same time struggling to servant, said, "Whose art thou, and whither goest escape ; ~but Jacob clung with a death grasp, ~nd so thou." "These," replied the servant, "are thy great was the conflict, that his thigh was thrown servant Jacob's, and all are a present sent unto my out of joint. "Let me go," said the angel, "for lord Esan, and behold he also is behind us." As the day ,breaketh!" "I will not let thee go,'? said the droves passed in succession the servants uttered Jacob, "except thou bless me." the same language. When night came, he took his "What is thy nan~e?" said the angel. wives and maid s&vants and eleven sons, and sent "My name is Jacob." them over the ford Jabbek% &nd ho wt&~ Ief~ alone. "Thy name ehall be no more Jacob, but Israel, In the darkness and solitude he engaged in suppli- for as a prince hast thou power with God and hast cation and prayer. Thus he prayed, "0 Jehovah prevailed." of~ my father Abraham, and of my father Isaac, ~?But what is thy name?" said Jacob. who ~aidst to me, return into thy country and to "Wherefore is it that thou dost ask atter my thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee, I am name ?"..---and he blessed him there. After the 234 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALD1~A. THE CHILD OF PROMISE. 236 angel departed, Jacob exclaimed, "I, have seen erected an altar which he called El Elohe-Jsrael. Jehovah, face ~o face, and my life is preserved." In consequence of family difficulties, he was directed When the sun rose over the Jor4an, Jacob beheld of the Lord to leave his place of residence and go Es&u adi~icing with his four hundred men, and to Bethel, where Jehovah had appeared ~ liim in ta~j ~ his han'dmaids and their children, and going his flight from his enraged brother Esau. Here.. he before them, they all approached Esau. Soon as he erected an altar which he called El Bethel. While near enough to be recognized, Jacob bowed here, Jehovah appeared unto him and said, "Thy himself seven times. The kind heart of Esan name is Jacob, thy name shall not be called any never failed him, for uo sooner did he see his more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name. I am brother in this attitude, than he dismounted and God Almighty; be fruitful and multiply, a nation ran and fell upon his neck and embraced and kissed and a company of nations shall be of thee, and him. In the sight of those stern mountain warriors kings shall come. out of thy loins, and the land and the multitude of servants around, those brothers which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee' will I lifted up their voices and wept. After this the give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the wives and children and servants all came forward land." and bowed to Esan, who received them with the After this interview Jacob set up a pillar in com- same kindness 'he had his brother. After th&inter~ memoration of the event, and consecrating it by visw was end~d, Esan, at the urgent solicitations libations of oil and wine, he removed from Bethel of Jacob, took the presents which he had provided, and started for Edar. On the journey., Ra~hel, one and returned to his home a happier if not a better of his wives, was delivered of a child, and as she man. survived its birth but a short time, it was called Jacob ~continued his journey and concluded to Benoni, but the' name was subsequently changed to select a desirable location in the valley, where he Benjamin. This was the first death in the family, built a house and made booths for his cattle. This and many were the tears and loud the lamentations place was afterwards called Succoth. ' Here be of its numerous members. The place at which this remained for some ±ime and increased his prosperity, melancholy~vent occurred was Bethlehem, and i~ntil it occurred to him, that he would remove to aftei~ she had been deposited in the grave, Jacob Shalern, a city of Shecheni in the land of Canaan. erected a pillar over the spot to mark the resting Here, adjoining the city, he purchased land and place of his beloved. From this sad spot he jour-

4

a 236' 236TE ASTROLOGER OF CIIALDEA. TII~ CHILD OF PROMISE. 237 neyed on until he reached his destination and pitched his tent a short distance beyond the tower ingly, a procession was formed, composed of Esau, of Edar. Jacob, their wives and children, and the friends of While. here, intelligence reached him of the death the pati~iarch in the surrounding country who had of. Isaac, his father, who had removed from Beer- come to the funeral, and with slow and solemn sheba to the old homestead of Abraham his father, step they marched to the cave of Mach~elah, ~where at Mamre. Immediately on the receipt of this sad Abraham and Sarah had been entombed long years intelligence he dispatched messengers to Esan in ago. After the obsequies were ended, the families J~41om, informing him of the melancholy event, and started for their respective homes. requesting him to join him at Mamre for the purpose Jacob's possessions were now immense, and te of paying the last rites to the remains of their devoted his attention mainly to the cultivation of the soil. This was accomplished by his many departed father. Every thing bein gin readiness, servants, while his numerous flocks and herds were Jacob gathered together his family, consisting of principally kept by his sons. Joseph, the first born Leah and her sons Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, of Rachel who had died, was now seveilteen years Issachar and Zebulon, and the sons of Rachel, of age. He was a youth of great promise, of fine Joseph and Beiijamin. He also summoned the suns manly though delicate proportions, and of singular of his concubines, Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher, personal attractions. On these and other accounts atid departed for Mamre. he was greatly beloved of his father, who frequently \ The journey' was a rapid bne, and in due time the manifested for him an undue partiality. Whether company arrived at Mature. Scarcely had they to distinguiehj.him from the rest of his brethren rested from the toils of travel ere itIwas announced when at a distiiice in the field, or to impart to him from the tent of affliction that Esan and his. ~om- a dignity above them, is a subject concerning which pany, on 0eet Arabian chargers, were seen coming the sacred record is silent, but so it was, that Jacob in the di~tance. The brothers met again in a fend had a coat made for Joseph of several colors. The fraternal~ embrace and shed their tears of anguish favoritism thus shown by1 the father became an over the lifeless remains of their father. All occasion of envy and hatred among the brothers partook of the grief of that h~ur. It was necessary against Joseph, and it was with difficulty that they Soon to bear the remains to their last resting place, could treat him with any respect or kindness. This as Isaac had now been dead several days. Accord. animosity and hatred was increased to a still greater 238 TH~ A~3TROLOGER OF OHALDEA. THJ~ CHILD OF FROMI~. 239 extent by the fQllowing circumstances :-It seems being easily distinguished ~ his parti-colored that Joseph had two dreams, in one of which he tunic, all their rage was at o'hce excited. found~ himself in a field binding sheaves, and the "Behold," said one, "yonder comes the dreamer. sheaf which he bound rose from the earth and stood Come now and let us slay him and cast him into a upright, while those bound by his brethren stood pit, and we will say some evil beast hath devoured round about and made obeisance to it; in the other him, and we shall see what will become of his dream he saw the sun and moon and the eleven dreamsA" stars do obeisance to him." These dreams he Reuben, the first born of Leah, said, "let us not related to his father and brethren. The father kill him, shed no blood, but cast him into this pit reb'iiked him, saying, "Shall I and thy mother and that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon thy brethren, indeed, come to bow down ourselves him." to thee to the earth ?" The brethren indignantly When Joseph came up, before he had time to dis- replied, "shalt thou indeed have dominion over us mount and salute his brethren, he was rudely seized, Soon after this the sons were sent with the flock~i dragged from his horse, his maxty colored coat torn to Shechem, with the exception of Joseph, who was from him, and he forced forward and thrown into retained at home. Indeed, so great was the father's the pit. As he sank down into its dark depths they attachment for him that he could not bear to have departed, and coming into the vicinity of theif him out of his sight. One day, being anxious to flocks, they Sat down to eat and drink and to make hear from the eleven, for he had received no intelli- merry. While thus engaged, they saw in the gence from them since their departure, he called distance a caravan of, Ishmaelites laden with the Joseph to him and informed him that he wished him precious commodities of the~ East, on their way to to go, to Shechem for the purpose of ascertaining Egypt. As they drew near, Judah said, "what how the young men were getting along, and return profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal this as soon as possible and report. When he arrived blood? Come and let us sell him to the lshmael- within a few miles of the place, he met a stranger, ites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our who, on inquiring about his brethren, told him they brother and o~.ir flesh." At the same time there had some time since removed from Shechem to came along Midianites, merchautmen, and~ the Dothan. Accordingly he directed his course brethi:en drew Joseph out of the pit and sold him~to thitherward, and on arriving in sight of his brethren, the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The

4 240' THE ASTi~OLOGEU OF CHALDEA. THE CHILD OF PROMISE. 241' traders mounted him upon a camel, and soon he was Being extremely modest, diffident, and retiring in on the way to Egypt. During the transaction Reuben his manners, the captain of the guard at once took was not present; he had returned into the forest for him to his own palace and made him servant to his the purpose of procuring means whereby to liberate wife. His gentleness and kindness, combined with his brother from the pit and send him home. When a great devotion to his master's interests and all he returned to the place,: he found him not, and that pertained to his palace, were such as to win the suppoSing his brethren~ had slain him, he rent his hearts of hall, and such was the~' confidence iz~s~ired pI cl~the~ in anguish, exclaiming "whither shall I in the mind of Potiphar in regard to his fidelity, gQ?" When he came to his brethren he learned that he placed him over all the servants, and put what disposition had been made of him. The him in possession as superintendent of all his brethren, to conceal their guilt, determined to possessions. His youth and beauty of form and pra4~tice the following deception. upon their father: person made a strong and powerful impression uj~on They killed a kid, and dipping his coat in the blood, the voluptuous nature of ~his master's wife, and she sent it to their father, saying, "This have we found, became so enamored of his charms that it was with now know whether it be thy son's coat or no." her a living passion which like a fire raged with Jacob at once recognizing it said, "It is my son's uncontrollable violence within her tumultuous bo- coat, ~an evil beast hath devoured him, Joseph is som. To possess him and enjoy his society alone without doubt rent in pieces." The father was and exclusive, was her only desire, and to reflect instantly filled with grief, and rending his garments, this object, she resorted to all the arts of which he put sackcloth upon his loins and mourned many women of passion and pleasure are capable. Young days. Though all his son's a~id daughters rose up and guileless, he knew not the web that she was to comfort him, still h~ refused all consolation, and endeavoring to weave around him, nor the power of in the bitterness of his spirit exclaimed, "I will go fascination she was exerting to charm him from the down to my son in the grave mourning." path of virtue ~and fidelity. With flushed cheek The caravan at length arrived in Egypt, and as and languishing eye and heaving bosom she would Joseph was a delicate and likely young man, they approach him, and with all the tenderness of took him to the court of Pharaoh, where being met woman, solicit him to sin. J3ut he was proof to all by Potiphar, the captain of the guard, he was her seductive smiles, nor did he f&t a moment,-so' imnie lately purchased by that officer for himself. wonderfully did J~ho~ah interpose in his behalf~- 16 242 TIlE ASTROLOGER 01? CHALDEA. THE CHILD OF PRO$HSE. 243 ~ feel an improper desire arise in his heart. her wa~ not long until some of her &~rvants were in her bu±niug glanoea and seductive wiles affected him room. "See hei~e," said sh9, holding up the no more than would the~ glancing moonbeams an portion torn from the garment~, of Joseph, "the icy mountain. It was not that he had no feeling Hebrew that he brought to m~ came in to my and was exempt fro~ all those passions which are chamber to violate my person, ~nd as I cried with cc~nimon to humanity, for he was in the full bloom of a laud voice, he fled and hat~ left p~rt of his life, but God had sealed the fountain of his virtue, garment." and h~4 placed around it an angel guard, so that no When Potiphar came to his ~~lace she related to wicked haiA should disturb its deep and quiet waters. him the same story, and his ~nger was greatly Chagrined and disappointed, and feeling her pride excited at the rehearsal, so much so that~r he in- wounded, with still a burning desire, she resolved stantly ordered his apprehension, and had him east upon another effort to lure him to her embrace, On into the royal prison among the malefactors of the a certain day she had arranged it to l~ave all the realm. Though his position in ~society had thus servants away from the palace, and seif~ for Joseph suddenly become changed, it did not change his to come to her chamber. lie accordingly obeyed character; that proved sufflciex~tly strong tO resist the summons, and went trembling with fear. No the power of temptation on the one hand and perse- sooner had he entered than she caught him in he~ cution on the other. It was not long here as arms, and with more passionate expressions of elsewhere that he was permitted to remain, until he tenderness than she had employed before, she became a favorite, and so greatly was he esteemed entreated him to yield to her solicitations. To al] by the jailor, that he entrusted all the prisoners to this Joseph replied, "How can I do this great his care. wickedness and sin against God ?" At this he Sometime after the imprisonment of Joseph, the struggled to escape from iher embrace, and so violent chief butler and baker of Pharaoh'~ palace, lbr was the effQrt that a portion of his garment was some offense which they had com4iitted against the ~torn from him in the struggle. Her love was now king, were cast into the prison. They had been turned into anger, and a fiendish hatred taking placed in the same ward with J~seph, and hence possession of her heart, she resolved on reveug& were placed under his care. One xriornih~. they S~ar~ely had he left the chamber until she raised informed Joseph that they had both dreamed, and .~ cry. of alarm, and it being heard from without, it they were sad on account of them. He requested ~44 THE ASTRQL~O~ER OF CHALDEA. THE C~ILD OF PROMISE. 245 *~heiu to relate their dreams, which they did as up the seven JoUows :-The chief butler saw a vine with three fat cows, after whieli he awoke. But he dreamed again on this wise :~---H~ saw seven branches which budded ~nd bloomed and brought large full forth ripe grapes. The chief baker saw three white ears of corn grow upon one stalk,. and seven thin baskets placed or~ his. head, in which were all sorts ears, blasted by the east wind, grow of baked meats for the king, but the birds came and upon another stalk, and the seven blasted ears ate the seven full ripe ears. The eat them. "This. is the interpretation of the dreams greatly troubled the king, and being anxious for dr~an~" sajd Joseph, "the three vines are three their interpretation, he summoned all the magicians, days, at the expiration of which time," addressing 'astrologers, and wise men of his realm immediately the i~utler, "thou shalt be taken out and set at to his presence. They eam~~ at his command, but 1ib~rty." Then addressing the chief. baker, he none of them were able to interpret them or give said, "the three white baskets are three days, at the the least hint as to what they should indicate. e*piration of 'i'i~hich time thou shalt be t~ken out of While prison and hanged upon a tree, and the birds shall all was anxiety, the chief butter made his appearance and uttered the following language ~-~" I eat the flesh from thy bones." After three days all do remember my faults this day.' The king wa~ fulfilled as Joseph interpreted. recok leets having committed myself and the chief baker It was now 'a period of two long years since to prison, and how that I was graciously liberuited Joseph was east into .prison, and notwithstanding while line was hanged. Now it came to his kindly offices to the chief butler, he had ~entirely pass that we both dreamed, and we told our dreams forgotten,' him, not even so much as mentioning his to a fellow prisoner, a young' Hebre~r who was a servant name. A circumstance, however, occurred at this tQ the ~~aptain of the guard, ~and he interpreted them time which brought him to remembrance. Pharaoh so that they came to pass just as he had said." On had a dream, as follows :-IIe stood on the bank of hearing this, the king immediately sent 'for Joseph, a river, and lie saw coxxdng out of the same, seven and being duly attired, he'was 'presented before him fine large cows, and they went to feeding in a in the royal palace. Having informed him of'~he m~a4ow which lined' the margin of the river. And object of the interview, he reh~ted his dreams and again he saw seven poor lean cows come out of the asked an interpretation.. After giving him to und~r~ ~iyer aftp.r them and follow them to ,the meadow. stand~ that it was by Divine inspiration that di~ai~i~ lie saw also in hi~ dream the seven lean cows eat were interpreted, Xos~ph gavie him the following 246 THS ASTROLOGER OF OHALDEA. THE CHILD OF PROMIsE. 247 e~planatioa :--" Both dreams have the samC signifi. Being invested with the vice-royalty ~of Egypt, cation, aud Jehovah in them shows thee what he is he made a journey throughout the length and going 1o do. ~he seven fat kine and the seven full breadth of the land, and made all the arrangements ears are designed to represent seven years of plenty, necessary for garnering the fruits of the earth and the seven lean kine and seven blasted ears repre. during the s@ven years of plenty which were .~to sent seven years of famine which shall prevail ensue. In process of time he was blest with throughout all the land of Egypt." In addition to children, the name of his first born was Manasseli, this~ he gave him instruction in regard to the raising and the second was called Ephraim. At length the of crops and the stowing away of the produce of the seven years of plenty came to an end and the seven land, in granaries in the large cities of the realm, years of dearth began9 When the inhabitants of so. that notwithstanding the famine should be wide the rural districts had exhausted their suppliesthey ~pread and grievous, there should be enough and to came to the royal city and made application to tile spare ~fr&m the great plenty with which the land king for relief~ who, on hearing their ~ompIaints, should be blest. Pharaoh was highly pleased with referred them all to Joseph, telling them to observe the interpretation and advice of Joseph, and regard- whatsoever he should command them. Intelligence lug him as the wisest m~u in all his kingdom, he soon came from all parts of the world that the imRediately promoted him to the highest honor aud famine was raging, and multitudes flocked to ypt. authority, averring that only ii~ the throne should Among the number of those who came from Canaan the king have the pre-eminence.. Then taking the were the sons of Jacob, with. the exception of the royal ring from his finger, he placed it on the finger youngest. One day, as Joseph sat upon his chair of Joseph, i~nd placing a chain of gold around his of state dispensing orders in the distribution of corn neck, he arrayed him in royal vestments. He then to the numerous applicants, he saw ten fJanaanites ordered the royal chariot, and placing him in the enter the ball, and as they approached him, he at same, he ordered the officers of his court to go once recognized them as his brethren. It was now bef~e him ai~d cry out to the multitude :-" Bow ten years since they had sold him as a slav4~ and the knee before the man whom the king hath made from the position which he occupied, as well as his rukr over all the land of Egypt." The king then altered appearance and the peculiar manner of dress' gaveihim an Egyptian name, Zaphnavbpaaneah, and which he wore as ~i~~regent of Egyj4, ~e was presented him fer a wife Asenath, the daughter of entirely unknown to themL As they came uear Poti-pherah a priest of On. him, in a rough commanding voice he said, w

TH~ A~T5OLOG1i~R OF OJ~ALD1U~ TIil CH1LP OF FRQMI$~. 249 came you?" Deeply impressed with these words, they said one The eldest replied, "From the land of (?ianaan to to anoth~r,-" We are verily guilty concerning our buy fond." brother, in t1ia~t we saw the anguish of his soul "Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land when he besought us and we would not hear him, ~ye are come." therefore is this distress come upon us." To ~this "Nay, my lord, but t~ buy food thy servants are Reuben replied, "Did I not say unto you, do Dot come. We are one man s sons, we are true men; sin against the child, and ye would not hear, there- thy servants are no Spies." fore, behold also his blood is required." "Nay, but ye have come to see the nakedness of The heart of Joseph was touched by this conver- the land." sation, and filled with emotions he could not repress, "Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of he turned aside to weep. As soon as he was able man in the land of Canaan, and behold the to command himself,, at their permission he coi~ youngest is this day with our father and the other inanded Simeon to be bound, and released the is not" others. He also directed the merchants to fill their "That is what I said unto thee, ye a~re spies. sacks with corn, and privately put the money Eereby shall ye be proved. By the life of Pharaoh which they had paid, into the sacks. All things ye all not go hence until you bring your youngest being in~readiness, they departed on their jou~uey bro er; send one of your brethren, to bring him, homeward. When they completed one days s jour- and ye shall be kept in prison until your words may ney, and had stopped at an inn for the night, one of be proved whether there is any truth in you, or:else the brethren in opening his sack for the purpose of by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies." getting ~some corn for his animal, found on the top They were aocordin~ly put in prison where they the money which he had paid for the same; on remained three days, at the expiration of which examination it was found that all the sacks contained time Joseph went to them and spoke through an the amount paid. At this all the brethren were inte eter as fellows :-.-" This do, and live, for I greatly terrified and were wholly unable to e 1ai~i fear~ God. If y~ be true men, let one of your the mystery. At length they arrived at hom~~and brethren be bound in prison, and let the rest go made their father acquainted with all the circum- and ry corn for the famine of your houses; but stances which had transpired, and how that the bring your youngest brother unto me, so shall your led of the country had required them to biting words be verified and' ye shall not die."

(' 250 250THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. THE CHILD OF PROMISE. 251 their ~youiY4est brother, retaining as a surety for the wilt let Benjamin go with us I will be surety for performance of the demand, their brother Simeon him, and if I bring him not back to thee, then let as a prisoner. When Jacob heard this he was me bear the blame forever." greatly distressed and exclaimed :-.-~ "Then take your brothel', but take with you "~Me have you bereaved of my children, Joseph double money and presents of balm, honey, spices, is not and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin nuts and almonds, and God Almighty give you away; all these. things are against me." mercy before the man, that he may return your To this~Reuben replied, "slay my two sons if I other brother and Benjamin." bring him not to thee; deliver him intQ my hand Thus they did as they were commanded and and I will bring him unto thee again." started on their journey. When they arrived in "My son shall not go. down with you, for his Egypt and presented themselves before Joseph, he brother is dead, and he is left alone; if mischief commanded that a sumptuous feast be provided, befall him by the way which ye go, then shall ye and they were all invited to the princely banquet. bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the When they were informed by the steward of Joseph's grave.~~ palace of his request, they were astounded, and The famine continued grievous in the land, and supposed that he had an evil intention; but that it w~s not long until the stock of provisions brought officer 'told them to fear not~ for all would be well. from Egypt was exhausted, and it was necessary to Simeon was brought from the prison, and all being get a~ supply. Jacob accordingly summoned hi8 in readiness, they entered the palace, and approaSh~ sons and commanded them to go again to Egypt for ing Joseph, bowed with their faces to the earth, food. At this Judali responded, "The lord of the presenting their gifts. Joseph received them kindly, country did solemnly protest, saying, ye shall not and in an affectionate tone inquired after their see my~ face except your brother be with you. welfare, saying, "Is your father well, the old man Therefore if thou wilt send our brother with us we of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive ?" wil ~ o, otherwise we can not go." "Thy servant our father is in good health,, l~e is "Why," said Jacob, "did yow deal so cruelly yet alive," saying which they agaift bowed tl~iem~ with me as to tell him you had another brother ?" selves. "Because he asked us of our state and of our Looking upon Benjamin, he said, "Is this your *1d~drew1, and we knew not his designs. ~~thou broth& of whom ye spake. God J~e gracious to '4

2562 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. THE CHILD OF PROMISE. 253

thee my son." But the scene was too trying for confused they knew not what to say. Joseph 'his affectionate and gentle nature, and he fled from perceiving .~this exclaimed, "What deed is this ye the banqueting hail to his chamber, and gave vent have done; know you not that such a man as I can to his feelings in tears. As soon as his emotion certainly divine ?" had subsided, he returned, and taking his seat with "]3ehold," said~ Judah, "we are my lord's ser- them at the table apart from the Egypti~ns, for vants, both we and he also with whom the cup is Hebrews may not eat with them. Special attention found." and favor was shown in serving Benjamin at the "God forbid," said Joseph, "that I should do so, feast. Great was the joy and rejoicing of that but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he hourb When the feast was ended, the steward was shall be my servant, but as for you, get you up in commanded to fill the corn sacks, and secretly to peace to your father." place in that of Benjamin the silver goblet of his Judali stepping forward immediately. replied, lord, which was lined with gold. Early next "Let not my lord be angry. If Benj~ihk go not

morning they were on their ways But they had back to his . father, the o~d man will die with sorrow. not proceeded far u~itil they iiere overtaken by the Take me as thy bondman in his stead, for I became steward, who charged them with base ingratitude. to my father a surety for his safe return." "N9t content with receiving corn without pay, and At this, Joseph, whose feelings were becoming all the hospitalities of my lord's house," said he, intensely excited, cried out to 'the captain of the "you have stolen the silver and gold of his table." guard, "Cause every Egyptian to leave me instant- They at once protested their innocence and said, ly ;" and when all were gone but his bretl~ren, "if it be found on any of us, he who is guilty shall unable to restrain himself any longer, he burst out die, and the rest of us shall be thy lord's bondmei~." into a passionate expression of grief. As ~so~on as "Let it be as thou Ihast said," replied the steward, his feelings had subsided sufficiently to speak, he "and' he shall ~be my servant." On searching, the rose from his seat, and advancing towards hi~ gobl$ was found in the sack of Benjamin. At this brethren, ~aid, "I am Joseph, doth my father yet they 'were all filled with horror and amazement, and live ?" The brethren were overwhelmed and eon- rent their clothes with anguish. Agreeably to the founded, so that they could not speak. He repeated stipulations they all returned to the court of 'Joseph. "I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into When they made their appearance they were so Egypt~ be not grieved or angry with yourselves~'for. ~55 264 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. THE CHILD OF PROMISE. having sold~ne, for God did send me before -you to the new numerous family took their departure. preserve you, to make you a posterity in the earth) Stopping at Beersheba, Jacob offered up sacrifices and to save your lives by a great deliverance. It and thanksgiving to Jehovah, who appeared to him was not you that sent me hither, hut God, and ho and said, "I am the Goa of thy father, fear not to hath made me a father to Pharaoh and lord -of all go down into Egypt for I will there make of thee a his house, and a ruler throughout all the laud of great nation. I will go down with thee into Egypt, Egypt. Haste ye and go up to my father and say and I will also bring thee up again, and Joseph unto him, thus saith thy son Joseph, "Jehovah hath shall put his hand upon thine eyes." Thus encour- made me lord of all Egypt. Come down unto me, aged he rose and pursued his journey. Judali and tarry not, and thou shalt dwell in the land of having been sent before as a messenger to inform Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou and Joseph of the approach of his father and family, thy children, and thy children's children, and thy consisting of seventy persons, the viceroy took his flocks and thy herds, and all that thou hast, and chariot and went out to meet them. When they there will I nourish thee, for there are yet five years met, a scene of Piost touching interest presented of famine." -After thus speaking, he embraced itself. No sooner did Jacob recognize his long lost Benjamin, and they all wept together for joy. All son than he embraced him, fell upon his neck and this was known to T~haraoh, and by him well kissed him. Then with tearful eyes he looked upon approved, in~omuch that he ordered the necessary him and said, "Now let me die since I have seen wagons for the transpei~ation of the family, and thy face, because thou ar~ yet alive." The father supplied the company well with provisions for the was taken in the chariot of Joseph a-nd introduced journey. He also sent numerous and costly presents to Pharaoh, who received him kindly and assigned to Jacob, and urged him to come ai~d make his him and his posterity a portion in Goshen. home in ~gypt. 'When they returned and the Here they lived and increased in prosperity. intelligence was communicated to the aged patriarch Jacob died and was taken by Joseph to Canaan and thaf~ his son Joseph was alive and ruler in Egypt, buried. The Israelites increased greatly, insomuch he was se overjoyed he fainted. When he revived, that in a few hundred years they numbered three he said, "It is enough, Joseph my son is alive; I millions. During this time they were reduced to will go and see him before I die." slavery in Egypt, but God interposed in thei; Preparations being made for the exodus to Egypt, behalf, and by a series of ~terrible judgments,. deliv

I 256 ~mu~ ASTR0LO~ER oF CIIALDEA. ered them, aiid under the leadership of Moses they went to Canaan, became a great nation, boasting a long line of kings and prophets. From them came CHAPTER XV. the Savior whom~ they rejected; and for which they were scattered among th& nations of the~ earth, THE CHILD OF DESTINY. though numerous as in the days of Solomon. IN the fate of Ishmael and his posterity we have the fulfilment of prophecy quite as wonderful, but still more startling and terrific than that which at present hangs lik& a dark and' gloomy pall over the posterity of Isaac. We have already traced the son of the Egyptian mother, from the period when a homeless outcast child in the desert, with none but a mother to care for him, and we saw that mother in her despair lay him down to die,---but we saw a divine interposition in~ his behalf, his destiny was not yet' fulfilled, and the ~'ehild was snatched from the grave, and borne on by a providence as wonder~ ful as it was marked, fro~ period to 'period, in his history, until from the chieftain of a single tribe, he rose to the chieftainship of all the wandering tribes of the East, and his own sons became mighty princes and warriors, and he possessed a power and dominion which extended from the gulf of Persia on the East to that of Arabia on the West, and from the Mediterranean on the North to Yemen and Hydramant oii the borders of the Indian Ocean In the fastnesses of the mountains of Arabia De~ serta, and on the plains of Arabia Felix, this mighty 17 257 THE ASTROLOGER OF CHALDEA. ~MI OJflLP OF DZ$TU~Y. prit~ce constructed hi8 palaces and fortresses, and lavishingly been bestowed U~QU his divinely ~ pitched his tents. As early as the death of his and fortunate brother were imparted tQ him, ~e ~ fa~h~r Abrahax~i, he had become the terror of all know not, for as concerning his end the Scrj~p~jje surrounding nations,-and no commerce could be KAs silent, but that he wrought out his destiny to the earned ~wwith th~ %ast and the vast and mighty very letter of prophecy, all l4&t~ry declares. cities of the Nile, without his permission and We dare not enter the secret place of tbat Being protectioL The twelve sons of Ishmael became whose pavilion is darkness, spread over ds~ep waters pi~&prietors of as many towns and castles as there and enveloped in thick clouds of the skies, and ~ve were names among them, and it was thus that when cannot know tl~ mysteries of that Providence Isa~ was leading the peacef~il life of a shephei'd, which gave to the children of the same fath~r~such and his sons were quietly with him in the green and a different destiny, and we shall wait the opening of fertile valleys of Canaan, living in tents, and that morn when all secrets shall be made knQwn, ~ubsisting according to the simple rules of patri- when that which we now can only know in par~& archal life, Ishniael was a wild and daring warrior shall be known perfectly, and the Great Eternal on the mountains and valleys and plains of Arabia, Father shall justify his ways to man. Till then we living in rock built palaces, subsisting upon the are satisfied; and though human reason stagger at spoils of the East, and reveling in oriental luxury. the developments of this life, we are supported by a And it was thus that when Esan forsook his faith firm and everlasting, that "though clouds and father's house, having b~en deprived of his birth- darkness are round about Jehovah, yet righteousness right and his blessing, that Ishmael received the and judgment are the habitations of his throne." homeless wanderer, and gave him a name and a We have seen also how the fortunes of Isaac place among the princes of his house. Having descended through Jacob to his posterity, and how, passed to an hundred and thirty-seven years, in- under the blessings of God, every event, however creasing in wealth and power and influence, having seemingly unpropitous in the beginning, w ght out already borne to the grave his idol wife and the in the end the most incalculable good. ~w from mother of his valorous sons, the period at length a family of seventy, Israel increased to millions, arAd arrived for Ishmael's departure. He had known when fro~i a state of unpa7raUeled prosperity they and had worshipped the God of his father, and how were reduced toa cruel and degrading slavery, and far the consolations of that grace which had so how by the Almighty arm they were delivered, and *

4 ~IB XaQG~ ON C~1I~LR~4 ClilLi) b? iXW~IIWY. mira~e succeeding 4 miracle prec~4~ed and attended 4 tAm~ 'pin all their desert jouhiey to Canaan. We trodden now for eex~4uries. Scattered ~a~4 ~ei~d how in, the land that flowed with mili{ an\ong the nations of th~ earth, we now see Isr4l a hiss and a by-word, yet existing a distinct a~nd and honey, od ~iven and God blessed, they spread out~ their ~wer ~it influence,' and became the separate race among their fops, keep g up th~ir ancient worship and su~tained~by the ho~ of their mightiest fl&tiQn in the then known world, and how fathers. thai thr h them, the~ promised seed, all the But we must return. ~ wandei~'ing 1Ahmaell~es n nsof the earth ~~&blessed in the incarnation had never been driven from tI~e land of their 'fat of Pa Savior in the royal line. saw when in the unconquered and unconquerablee they still maintain glow ~( her power, the proud and haughty Baby. their possessions in the desert, and it is only ~y loni8p bear away in chains her exiled bands as sufferance that they will allow the foot of the strangers, to the far off valleys of a strange and stranger to press its sands or cross their territory. inhospitable land, and we saw again at the command But what became of Esau? We left him at the of Jehovah, emanating from that same demolished funeral of Isaac and intimated his fortunes in Rocky throne, an edict for the restoration of their scattered Arabia. When the Israelites were on their wa~ to wanderers, and the rebuilding of the d~sol&te city Canaan, they arrived on the borders of ]~dom, the and temple, and we heard the sound of their country then occupied by the descendants of Esaw coming from the lands of their exile, and beheld as This country stretched across their entire path, their feet ~essed the green sward of their native extending from the mountains of Moab at~the south mountains. Once more at home, and their temple east corner of Palestine, to the very borders of rebuilt with its worship restored, we saw it again, Ezion-Gaber on the eastern head of the Red Sea. but a sad reverse had come, 4ie crown had fallen They could, by passing through a narrow defile from the head of Judah, the scepter of regal and which running east and west, divided the moun- ecolesi cal authority had departed, while the tam chain between the metropolis of Edom and gorgeous) temple with its courts, the magnificent Mount Hor, in a few hours pass the wilderness to places with their marble covered d~mes, the tombs the borders of the great desert, which lay ~n and terraces where wei~ deposited her kings and east of it very near the plaee where they were to prophets, alike: desecrated~ despoiled~ and left a heap begin to take possession ~f the la~hd Of Canaan. o~f i~uii~ ,~.w whieli the feet :~f the profane have While eu~ampe& at Kadesh. Barrkea, Moses wait 266 T~ A~TR0L0QER 01 Q~L~A. TB~ CHILD OF DE8TU~Y. 283' me~sen~ers to the king of Edom, requesting him to inhabit their temples and fortresses, and that none ~ giant 4heD~ a passage through his territory, and should pass through Edom forever. ~ urging the request on the ground of the relationship We hear no more of the Edomites till the days of 'Ai~,11 existed between the descendants of Esati and Saul, whQ warred against them with parted su~ce~a, Ja~6t~ ~ut the king of' Edom utterly refused them but their entire subjection was. reserved ~forD~wi4, a passage, and marched an immense army to the his successor, who first signally vanquished them fmntier t~. res~t the attempt, should it be made. in the Ghor beside Usdum-the mouRtain of Salt.Z~.. The consequence was,~~ tiVat they had to retrace their and finally played garrisons in aU their cou'n~ry: steps and were obliged 'to m&rch round the entire Then were fulfilled the ancient prophecies to which teWitory ~ Edom. we have alluded, that the elder should serve 4he History informs us that before there was a king younger, and ~also the prediction of Balaam, that reigning in' Israel, Edom swayed a scepter df power Edom and Seir should be for, possessions to Israel., unrivalled in t~e East, and that a long line of dukes Solomon established a naval station a~ Ezion-Gaber, div It in Petra, that fifty thousand warriors could at the head of the gulf of Elath, the modern issie from its capital, at a moment's warning, to Akaba. Towards the close o1~ Solomon'~ reign an resist the attacks of their foes. But this was not attempt was made to restore the independence of all their force ;-besides being allied to the Ishmael. the country, by Hadad, an Edomite prince, who, ites, they had a line of forts extending throughout when a child in the days of David's invasion, had the length of the kingdom. They were, however, been carrjed'into Egypt, and had there married the doomed. A dreadful fate had been pronounced sister of Tahpanes, the queen. If Edoni then against them, their cities were to be depopulated, succeeded in shaking off the yoke it was only for a and they themselves to be destroyed. The time season, since in the days of Jehoshapat, the, fourth was to come when not one descendant of Esau Jewish monarch from Solomon, it is said there was should;have an existence upon the earth, when the no king in Edom, a deputy acting as viceroy of the very name should be blotted out forever. Prophecy king of Judah.~ That the latter Was ruler of the ~ad foretold that the temples and palaces of Petra country, is evident froni the fact of his ha~riu~ fitLe~ should ~e deserted, and that not' even the ashes of out a fleet at Ezion-Gaber. This deputy joined the an Edomite should be found irz her rocky tombs; confederates of Juhah and Israel in their attack that the owl and cormorant and bittern should upon Moab. In the reign bf Jehoshapat there was TJ~3 A#T~OWQML O~ OH4L2~KA. ~UJ~ O~ILb O~' D~5T1~Y. ap.rtia1 revolt of the ~domites; or at lea4t, of the than eve~ and hence the many dire denunciations mountaineers of Seir, ~nd unt~. his tucces~or of the dMrghter of Edom to)~e found in the' Hebrew Jehpr~w, they wholly r~b~elled and made a king prophets. From the lang~sge of Malachi, and also aver themselves. Notwithstanding. the *oinporary from the e~ccounts preserved by Josephus, it would 8uppue~sion of th~ rebellion, Edom revolted from seem that the Edomites did not wholly escape. the und~r the throne of Judah~ and it is probable that Chaldean scourge, but instead of being carried ~ t~o Jewiskdominion was never completely restored. captive, like the Jews, they not only retained pos~~ maziah, indeed, invaded the og~ntry, and. having session of their ow~ territory, but became masters ~ taken the chief city, Xetra, i~ memory of the of the South of Judea as far as Hebron. Here, eonte~tAA~Ianged the name to kt~1~el (subdued of however, in cour8e of time, they were successfully Go4 ), and his successor Uzziaii retained possession attacked by the M~ccabees, and about the year 125 o, th. In the reign of Ahaz, hordes of ~Edom.. B. C., were finally subdued by John Hyrcanus, ~wk6 ~ ite~ made inq~trsions into Judah and. carried away compelled them to submit to circumciMpn and other captives. AbQut the same period, Resin, ~dng of Jewish rites, with a view to incorporate them with Syr' ex~lled tb~e Jews from Elath; which was the nation. The amalgamation of the two theuceforw occupied. by the Edoinites. Now though proceeding from the same cori~on stock, had come the period when the other part of Isaac's was, however, not effected, for we afterwards hear prophecy, that 2Es~u should. take his brother's yoke of Antipater, an Edomite by birth, being made by from off his. n~e~ was fuiflUed. T~. 2Edonaites Cesar procurator pf all Judea, a*dliis son, ,com~ employed their recovered power in the enlargement monly called Herod the Great, was at the time of of their terri~ry in all directions. They spread as Christ's birth, king of Judea, including Edom, and far South as I)edan in Arabia, and NorthWard. to Roman writers often speak of all Palestine under Petra. When the Ohaldeans invaded Juda~h, under that name. Not long before the siege of Jerusalem Nebuchadnezzer, the Rdomites became their willing by Titus, twenty thousand Edomites were called in auxiliaries, t~nd tri~imphed with fi~W4ish rnalig~iity to the defense ot~the city by the Zealots, but both over the n of their kinsmen, the Jews, of whose parties gave themselves up to rapine and~ murder. desol~t~ lands they hoped to obtain a large portion This is the last mention of the Edomites in historyy, themselves. By this eircum8tance the hereditary and it is somewhat remarkable that their last pub1i0 d~ of the Jews~ was rekindled in greater fury act should be in defense of tb~ )rketropoiis of their ~ TH~ M OJOGJ~it O1~' UHALDZA. 4 TMZ CHILD OF. ~DXSTJNY. br#thien, though. their conduct was not then mont names of its docalities have commendable on that occasion. beco~ae we familiar se household words. The long lost From the~era of O~sades down to the begin. city of F~au, now without an inhabitant, g~ard$&~by wandering ning of the present cetitury, a period of upwards of Arab, by ~ho~0 permission aloiie the eoIit~~ t ~ thousand years~ the land of Esau has been shut eler can enter its avenue and walk through its ruins~ up to the whole civilized world. its location even, is all that is left to tell of the power ~nd ~glory of on~ the best map~ place it more than a hundred the brother of Jacob. Every st4 reveals ~vonde1's, Yniiles fr9m its true position, and as if lying in a the excavatims, whether formed into temples, directioxr where it is now known there is nothing tombs, or palaces, surjA'ise the wonderingg traveler st expanse of desert. ~V had his 4 ~ by their number and extent. They not only occupy attenvlQu drawn towards it when at' Gaza, by the the face of the entire mountain by which the yall ~v e reports of the 4rabs about the wonders of is encompassed, but the numerous ravines whieli Petra; and inA807, the unfortunate Seetzen pene. radiate on all sides from the enclosed area; ~wd treated a certainAietance into the country, and heard were these excavations, instead of fo1lowii~g all the of ~th# wonders of the Wady Mous~, but the first sinuosities of 4~e mountaifr and itS n~nierous g&~ges, modern traveler that passed through the land of ranged in regular order, ~4h~y would form a street E~m, was ~Burkhardt, in the y9ar 1812, and had six or seven miles in length. The wont of * ha~ac~omplished i~thing in those wonderful regions, mountain is wrought into facades~ of splendid te*n~ hie journey woi.ikl %iave been wp$h ~Il the labor pies, rivaling in ~.their aspect and symmet~ the e~p~pded on it, although his discoveries thus shed most c4ebrated nionuinents of Qrecian art. ~ their ~rong light on subjects not at all compre- umns of various orders of architecture, graceful hen4ed in the plaii or purpose either of himself or pediments, broad rich entablatur~s, and sometimes inS employers . statuary, all hewn out of the solid rock, and ~tilI Burkhardt entered Edom from the North, and forming part of the native mass, transfoj'm the base. in the year l818~ he ~vas fo1low~d in the. same of the mountain into a vast splendid pile of archb direction by Messrs, Legh, Bankes, Irby, and Man. texture, while the overhanging cliffs towering above gles. ~ 1828, Laborde and Lindant found access in shapes as rugged and wild as ~ny on ~ the from the South, ~ since that period it has been eye ever rested, form the most ~urious and striking visited~ and deserit&by so many travelers that the contract. But nothing contributes so much to the 4

*68 TNU~ ASTROLOGER OF QJIALDUA. magi~*1 t. some of these monuments as the rich: v~r~ous 1 rs of the iock out of which, 6~ m~ p i4~ ic they ~re l*wn. Red, I. ~azuiKe. or sI~y blue, black, b~#~ite are seen ih~ t e same t~n~ple or palace in successiVe layers, ~r 41 e& so as to form every shade and hue of which they are capable; as brilliant and soft as they ever appear in flowers, or in the plumage of birds, or in the sky wh~n illumed by the most glorious sunset. I~ is impossible to describe the wonderful ~ffee~ of tall graceful columns exhibiting these 4zquisite colors in their succession of regular hori* ze~ital strata. ~wt t1~e de~e~idants of Esau, w}io inhabited this' vast city d4ock, are gone. T~bey have been blotted from the history ~f nations, but the descent~ nts of Ihmael remain numerous and powerful as e#er, still working out their wonderful destiny, + and against eveq man and every man's against ther~."

44