Page images
PDF
EPUB

Riblah, a town between Jerusalem and Babylon. There the last sight that met the eyes of the captive monarch was the slaughter of his children; and, as if to keep that doleful spectacle ever before his mind, his own eyes were put out, and he was taken prisoner to Babylon, where he died. Thus were the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel fulfilled. The former of these foretold that Zedekiah was to be taken to Babylon, and the second, that he should never see that city, and so it was. This is the end of the history of the kingdom of Judah. The people would not obey God, they would not hearken to his servants the prophets,-therefore they were subjected to the power of a strange king. Let us take warning by their fate. Let us hear and obey while our day of favour lasts.

We then read the account of Hezekiah's sin, and the prophet's rebuke of it, related in the thirty-ninth chapter of Isaiah; and grandfather remarked that it shewed us the folly of having our treasure on this earth, and how often it is that worldly riches are a temptation and a snare,- —a curse instead of a blessing to the possessor.

The heathen nations who inhabited Samaria sought to be instructed in the truth,-What may we learn from their example?

What did Hezekiah do that was wrong?

What in the conduct of his subjects was deserving of punishment?

Hezekiah spread the letter of Sennacherib before the

Lord, to shew that he acknowledged God in all his ways, and that he referred everything to his disposal,— What may we learn from this?

How can we apply to ourselves the story of Manasseh? The subjects of Manasseh willingly suffered him to lead them wrong; but they were backward when he sought to lead them to what was good,-What are we shewn by this?

THE CONCLUSION.

NOT much more have I to tell of our visit to grandfather. Two days after his stories of the battles were ended our father came to take us home. Sorry we all were to leave very sorry. That cottage and garden looked pretty always, but never prettier than when we were saying good bye to everything that was there. was the evening after my father came-we were to leave the next day, and I had been in the garden watering the flowers for the last time. When I came in it was bedtime, and I went to say good night to grandfather. I thought he looked sadder than usual; he put his hand on my head, and said, " Marianne, remember your prayers." Tears started to my eyes, for I knew that many and many a night I had retired to rest without remembering them, or at least without remembering them as I ought. Often since, when I have been tempted to foolish trifling thoughts at my latest waking hours, the thought has entered my mind, the soothing, hallowing thought of my dear grandfather.. I have fancied I felt the gentle touch of his hand on my head, and heard his kind voice saying, "Marianne, remember your prayers."

Like a spell this thought would drive far from me all worldly imaginations, and I could feel only humility for my own unworthiness, and thankfulness that I had been blessed with so pious a grandfather. To know him was a real blessing to me, and it is the hope that hearing of him may benefit some one, which has led me to dwell upon him here. But having finished the stories of the battles which he told us, I need not weary those who have read thus far by telling them of myself. I shall now say adieu to those, whoever they may be; and lest they should think I have praised my grandfather too highly, I shall speak no more of him, but beseech them to be followers of no one man, however pious, and diligently to walk in the footsteps of their Heavenly Master.

THE END.

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »