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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 23, 1900)
is THE SrXPAY OWvGCVNIAX. PORTLAND. DECEMBER 23, 1900. --- - ---- The First Christmas. Observance of -A-nnrversary of GHrists BirtK, at Home of trie MotKer of Marti. It waa thefirst anniversary of Kim "who so lately stood among men, speaking man never spake, and teaching as- Ian never taught the flrst anniversary His birth, since all the trials, sufferings id dangers of that eventful life had sed the shameful indignities, the blt- Erness and agony of death. Throughout salem many homes were desolate. Ir Saul of Tarsus, In the blindness of Is zeal and hatred, had been filling the sons with unresisting men and help- ss "women, and none knew -whose turn might be next. All the disciples, except few of the most daring, had fled the Ity, and had taken refuge in otner nds. Such -were the circumstances that sur- lunded the chosen few who were now awn togther. The place of their meet- Ig was entered by a gate leading into Le portico of a plain house, standing lite by Itself In the confines of Mount on. This gate was carefully opened by youth who was stationed there for that ?ose, and, a number of persons having admitted, was as gently closed again. le guests passing into an open court. id thence to an inner chamber. The burt Itself was a wide and spacious one. slstered on all sides and open only to Le clear skies of Judea, that were now lowing with myriads of twinkling stars. Jthough the night air was sort ana Itlmy. there were no couches or divans mged around the walls 01 tne mcio- Ilomc of Mary, Mark' Mother. he house, built like many others In tat Holy Land, was the home of Mary, other of Mark, where the apostles lived, ftcr the ascension of their Master, until Lelr work called them to other places. had already been the scene of at least te remarkable event; for. not many leeks before, at the Pentecostal feast. kere had the cloven tongues of fire de fended on the chosen disciples, prompt- jg them to the utterance of prophecy. id the inspiration of a life so divine. ider the sign of the Holy Ghost, that Ley could face the world undaun.ted. In ie midst of perils, and. at length, with eady mien and eyes of serene and loving ith. grasp the crown of martyrdom. These people had not met to celebrate hat is now a memorable day. but they id been drawn together naturally, to eak precious words of comfort to her Iho, 33 years before, had entered on the vine maternity the mother or jesus; ie blood of Stephen, first martyr to the 3w faith, was still moist and red on the fry stones that slew him, and which, bt unfathered and unwashed by the Lin. lay. as they were cast against him, lith their crimson stains, mute witnesses fury and wrong of past suffering and resent danger. In the private apartment which tne liests had entered was a dais, surrounded a railing, close by the small wicker r which closed Its entrance. On It tood the venerable hostess and, at her ?ht hand, her son. the Apostle Mark. ie gray hair of the mother was decently ivered, but not concealed, by a kind of irban. She wore no veil. for. in tne eedom of her mature age and the prl- icy or her own home, sne was per- itted to dispense with that almost in- parable adjunct of Oriental wardrohe. Two Marys. the whole expression of her face, at- tude and movements, were combined a actlcal good sense with that heroic en "gy of purpose which marked her, at a ance, as no ordinary character. One ight have thought her countenance al- ost revere. In its usually staid and imetlmes rigid aspect: but she looked li the central figure of a group. Just be- ind. and tears sprang to her eyes, show- jg that underneath all this strong array wi.l ar.u great capacity or soul lay tne irt of a true and tender woman. Following her gaze, we behold another ary th- mMhcr of Chrlt and who was. deed, the most conspicuous figure In the om. being stationed in the center or lie platform, and just fronting the en- ince. She was not reclining on the Iw couch. In an attitude of repose, as lere m?st of the others around her, but Ending forward, and listening intently the words of Peter, who had, apparent- Just come in. IThero was nothing in the form of Mary aat reminded one of that youthful brlght- bss which we have seen delineated in varirjs Madonnas, but there was :mcthing stronger, deeper, truer, be- liuse every line that had been wrought. id evcrv shadow that had fallon on tne cterior lineaments had been developed ito a higher beauty and a nobler charm. long veil of black gauze shaded, witn- lt concealing her luxuriant dark hair. flecked with gray, and felt with a avid contrast, over the yet fair cheek hd the robe and tunic of spotless white. Iho fo'.dcd hands were clasped and lifted; outlines of tho delicate mouth were impressed and the eyes, while they were klsed and bent upon the speaker, had expression as If heyL also turned In- ard and were reflecting the Interior vis ta of the soul. St. Icer. But all eyes were now bent on th leaker, who was narrating some Jnci snts not then generally known, connccf- wlth the last hours of the devotea Itephen. Let us picture him, as he stood lere in that wonderful group: He was rather tall, erect and command- :g In appearance, although not over- rge. His Jet-black hair and beard were lort, thick and curled, giving to his fine ead a bolder outline. The brows were pfty and projecting, and from beneath tiem flashed an eye tnat couia nave en kindled by no other than the fiery Jul of Peter As he went on speakins the beloved martyr, his pale counte- ance became flushed and his voice rose tith excitement. "Beware of loud speaking." whispered low, sweet voice, and at the words a rma!e figure that had been reclining oi lie left hand of Mary, the Mother 01 isus. rcsc and sprang forward; and, lt quick earnestness of her expression p'-d mencment, as well as the exquisite auty tzr which she was distinguished. fe can rcc?gn:zo only the Magdalen. But jw the usually pale cheek was flushed. ie ecs were tearfui, and the fair hancs fere clashed together until the nails 01 lien were Imprinted In the other. She id been listening to a story of terrible ;ony, and all her passionate depth of e'lrg was aroused. J "Beware, good Peter!" she whlsperea lin. 'Saul, of Tarsus. Is abroad. What lou'd hinder him from coming hither?"' l"Be cf good comfort, Mary." returnee ?ter, regarding her tender form with a snt'.o and raving eye; "for truly as the alee of cur Master ever spake. It has fceken Jut now, as It were breathing I to rev sduI these words: Be of gooa leer, Peter, for comfort is at hand I " Joliu, the Beloved. ("Remcmberest thoa what He said, while fe wr.s yet In the form, present with us?" i!d J;Ln " 'Where two or three arc ithcrcd together In ray name, there will J he in tne xmast ei you." Have we not fcl fe't Ills presence, and has He not ben anlfest to thee, O my mother, to whom te gave ne almost with ills last breath. be vrAo thee a sonT He t k the hand of the Madonna. a h speke, asd, b&wlns his bead a sio- J ----- t - ment there, his long, fair hair flowing on either side, concealed the tears that foil upon It. "There Is no time, either by night or' day, when He is not manifest to me." replied Mary; "and scarcely a moment since," she added, after a short pause, "these words were whispered In my ear: " 'Behold, a new evangel Is sent forth, and a messenger of joyful tidings is close at hand.' " "Amen!" responded John, and the low response passed from lip to lip. in tones as deep as the faith that made It vital. "But It we follow In His footsteps, the spirit of our Lord and the strength 01 our Lord shall abide with us. whether we live or die." observed James, the Evan gelist, who was reclining near to Mary Magdalen, his dark eyes, long, black hair, large, heavy frame and strong expression of face furnishing a striking contrast to the appearance of his brother, and Justi fying the title which his Master had given him "The Son of Thunder!" The Brothers. John was tall and graceful, and his whole form was exquisitely molded. Hls long, fair hair fell over his shoulders In luxuriant waves, while, in the finely wrought features was a beauty almost too delicate for manhood, were it not for their intensity of power a result of the wonderful union of wisdom and love, for which his character was so much distin guished. '"Yc'E," he responded, almost sorrowful ly. In answer to his brother's words, as If he hnd Just had a vision of the next martyr. "Tea. "my brother, thou, I doubt not, wilt abide true In thy faith, even to the last. And let us all remember the precious words of our Master and strive to follow in His divine footsteps. Is not selfishness that seizes what Is best and greatest, only for Itself, the Dogon of tho world, and worse than any carved Image that men, In their blindness, have ever set up to worship? And is not the whole spirit of His life and works one greav sermon against this monster vice? " Do as you would be done by,' sato He. Again He said: 'Be Just; love one another "What prophet before, since the world began, has ever taught so simple a faith, so divine a doctrine that all men are brethren and God Is their common father not fierce and revengeful, but slow to anger and full of mercy and loving kind ness? Then let us love one another, even as He has loved us, that the world may truly know that we are not of them." He paused, and a deep silence followed this beautiful exhortation, for all pres ent were emulous to enter more deeply into the spirit of their divine Master. Mary Mnicrtlnlene Spenkcth. "What shall be the ond of all these things?" was sighed, rather than spoken, so low and sorrowful were the tone, ana the Magdalen, drawing closer to her side, laid her head on the Madonna's knee, clasping her arms around her. "Surely we are ready to suffer." she continued, "but although the mind Is willing, the heart Is sometimes weak and the nerves will shrink even from thoughts so terri ble. Ah! tell me not of courage, for who has seen what has lately been forced upon us can yet bear to remember it the flerct tortures of the cross and the cruel stones?" A deep shudder passed over the speak er, and her fair form seemed to collapse with horror, as she enumerated, mentally, the unspeakable agonies of which she had been an eye-witness. "Wo could not forsake Him," she pur sued, as If communing with herself, "but do we not, every hour, suffer a living death, in the memory of His?" "Rejoice that thou wert found worthy, even for this, and doubt nothing, my daughter, for all will be well." At these words a woman who was rather past the middle period of life came for ward, from a group at ono side of the room, and, laying a hand on tho head of the Magdalen, she continued: "Fear nothing. Mary; doubt nothing. Behold my son. yonder boy of Naln! Was he not carried on his bier and thea lifted up from it, living? Lo! Is he not a witness of the power that can save, eyen to the last and through the last? Cannot he who brought forth life out of death give strength of soul to the weak In body?" "Aye, speak Lazarus!" she resumed, after a short paus: "for thou, too, shouldst bear audible witness of His power." The one addressed, who had listened to tho widow with deep emotion, now re sponded: Lazarus Bearcili Testimony. "His power is love, and love Is omnipo tent." There was silence a few minutes, and then Lazarus spoke again: "I could say much concerning this power of which thou hast made mention, O thou blessed widow of Nain! but for sympathy with this dear sister, whose eyes are not yet healed of their weeping for His loss." He clasped the hand of his slter Mary, whose bead rested on. his shoulder, and onco more all relapsed into that expres sive silence, where the voice of the Spirit seemed audible, for was not the Master present and communing with their spirits in. truth and In power? "Yonder boy has somewhat to say that should give us much good cheer," again spoke the widow, as Mary Magdalen mado room for her between herself and the Madonna, and she pointed to her son. "The youth is not used to speaking, and his heart is full," she added, making a gesture of entreaty for him to rise. Then, by request of James and Peter, tho youth came forward. Advancing to tho floor in front of the piatrorm. he stood, with his left side Inclined lo the railng. "his left hand being thrown over It. and lovingly clasping that of John, as if his dlflldenco might thence draw cour age to bear his testimony. "I had been sent forth by my mother." he began, turning, with a modest air, to the face of John, "and on coming to Tiberias, on the border of Gennesaneth, not finding Him I sought, I crossed over to the spa of Betbsalda. There I met the young man. who was from Sldon, nav. ing been to Damascus for the purchase of linen. But. instead of answering tne business questions that were put to him, he said, suddenly. 'Art not thou, too. a follower of Him they call Jesus of ivaz arethr And I answered, not knowing but he was a servant and spy of Saul. who, I knew, had gone out into that country. 'Behold my life! Should It ever cease from following after Its giver -and restorer? Snnl' Vision. "Then he said. 'Listen, for the end oi wonders Is not yet! Behold, when Sam was on the way and coming near to Damascus, a bright light, as it were, from heaven, enveloped him. 'round about. He fell on the ground, la threat astonish ment and fear, and the Lord spake to him and raised him from the eartn. am, lo. when his eyes were opened, he could see po man, for the light had stricken hlmpHnd. But. with a strong hand, he was ved forth from his sins, and he is now fi Damascus, preaching Christ Jesus in air the synagogues, with great power, such as man never yet heard; and the Jews are confounded. " "This may be some new trick of Ms lo lead the brethren Into his power." ob served .Peter, "for how can he; whose hands are yet rod with the blood of in nocents, be so soon made clean?" "Blessed would this Intelligence be, tr It were true," remarked John. -But out be not go, forth with power and authority from CalaphAs and lire chief Jews, that 11 he found any disciples, whether mea or women, he might. bring them bound to Jerusalem? How can we trust one so crimson with guilt as this man?" "Behold! are wq not all sinners?" And, with these words, a speaker of great benignity and eloquent expression, came ' forward. It was James, the younger, . whom the Jews so reverenced for his in- ! Arrir n 1a fv A,f- Irfea tha 1 tv,ij 14,41. wjgj vi-t-EiA isu&b w . hem of his garment. . et us be Just, even to our enemies." , jng to blame others yes, even to torture he continued. "Aslda from his late acts, ; thine handmaid, because he cannot cn the life of Saul, ot Tarsus, exhibits a dure his own tortures." character without blemish. Let us be- . "Hast thou borne thy testimony for Him neve, then, that he is honest in nis mis- Kin.c, ior utic nut iueji uuxuiu liim -j. nave sain an J. couia, oui now x .j KInBis strategem. deluded even to the shedding of Inno- . nave ceased to speak, and only enrago I- cent blood? And who among us Is blood- ; hlm wheJ. x try l0 persuade. But, O, Being one day hunting, he caught se gulltless, seeing that the Just One was ijary, if thou couldst know what I suf- eral animals, taking also a portion of made a sacrifice for the sins of all?" Mary to Jnuics. j "Thou art surely right, my son," said tho Madonna. "I feel that this Is really ' a part of the good tidings we should ! hear, and that have been distinctly fore- J shadowed on the minds ot several of us ' here tonight. Behold! even now the bear- . er of Joyful news cometh near, and when we hear It, we shall believe that this Is . also true. There Is even now at hand a time of safety to believers, and the J church shall have peace." Even while she spoke there was tne sound of approaching footseps. This was followed by a low tap at the gate, wnen Rhoda, a young damsel In the protection of Mary, "went forth and opened It. Di rectly a person entered, the ripeness ot whose years had Just begun to be touched with the venerable character of age, ana behind him followed two women. UTit first wa6 saluted as Joseph, ot Anlmathea, One of the women was greeted as the J faithful Joanna, wife of Chusa, Herod's chief steward. The other was closely veiled, and, seeking shelter from observa tion, drew her companion into an ob scure corner, yet not before a certain nobility of air had been noticed in her appearance and demeanor, which indi cated the refined habits of a person ot distinction. As Joseph advanced Into the middle of the room he paused, and, stretching forth his hands, pronounced the accustomed benediction of the aged on similar occa sions: "Peace be to this house, and Joy ana hipsKlnt? to the hearts of the faith- i ful!' J "Hast thou, then, heard the tidings . that Saul, of Tarsus, Is really converted ' and preaching the gospel?" asked John, , addressing Joseph, as he and Mark brought forward a couch and spread cushions for him to rest. "Verily," returned Joseph, as he sat down, "and, strange as it may appear, I believe. But I am the bearer of other tid ings: Good TldlnR.i. "Behold! Ye also know that Philip has been preaching the gospel In the villages i evl1 , Behold! a young man of the - -, . . ,7 . ,. ,. i j house of Herod, who, in his secret mind, of Samaria, as he has but lately shown ) ,g ffell dlsp03Cd to 'folow the Mastcrf when he tarried among you In Jerusalem. was sent forth by chUzan this very day. Returning from a Journey but a few J on a private embassy bej'ond the walls hours since, I came to rest, in the heat 0f the city even to Engedl the City of of the day, beneath the nalms of Jerl- I Palms. Having rested in the shadow of cho, when, behold! a traveler approached, J its vineyards and procured from Queen and as he came nearer I saw that It was , Herodlas some cypress -vines, with which Philip. Surprised to And him coming ( the place abounds, he proceeded home fro m that direction, when we believed ward. Coming to the fountain, Rogel, he that he had again gone forth to Samaria, I drank of Its waters and sat down to rest. I was In haste to know the reason, and of this he soon assured me. "As he was proceeding on the road to j Samaria, an angel of the Lord appeared In the way before him, bidding him turn to tho south, on tho road to Gaza. Being obedient to the heavenly voice, he straightway turned his course, proceed ing In the direction that had been point ed out. Thereafter, he soon fell Into com pany with a chariot, driven by a single horseman. And Philip, listening, behold! he was reading the prophet Eslas, and he sought that Philip should come up to J him In the chariot and explain what he read, and Philip did so. And as Philip was explaining the text, he preached Je sus; and, straightway, the charioteer be-i lleved, and, finding water, he was bap tized. He proved to be a person of great consequence and power, a servant of Can dace, Queen of Ethiopia, Delng held In great favor and having charge of all her treasure. Doubtless his mistress will soon EASY PUZZLE HERE YOU FIXD OT ONLY SATA CLAIS, BUT HIS DEER AND SLEIGH, TURKEY, A BAD LITTLE BOY WHO WAS SKIPPED MY SAINT SICK, A LITTLE SISTER AND SOME OF TI1E TOYS THEY RECEIVED. come to know the truth, and thus the gospel will oe spread far abroad." An expression of joy followed this an nouncement, not because a convert was a rare thing in those days, but for -the reason last mentioned by Joseph, that by such means the gospel should be more widely diffused and carried into seemingly remote regions. 'JTie Strnnccr. During the pause following this, Joanna came forward to speak with the Ma donna and the circle immediately around her, and when courtesies had been ex changed, the Magdalen went and took her place beside the veiled stranger; of whom she, alone, bad any knowledge, except, perhaps, Josepn, under whose escort she had seemed to come. A friendly greeting In low tones passed between them, when the stranger said: "Be careful, Mary, and betray me not. I , shall suffer more, perhaps. than tnou canst believe. If this visit should be known; for, O, he is suffering secretly, J 1 , LI. 1 . l.l ftin jrt. i hjju WlieXl XilS Ue&rL .IK JSOlC Wli.il me v-uu- i sclousness of wrong, he Is sometimes will truly?" whispered Mary. for In the thought of that wrong, com- mlttcd by the husband of my youth the husband 01 my love- Mary, Mary! kind should be done up In a distinct par I pity me: for I sometimes feel as If all , eel. i the guilt had been concentrated and fallen j The annals were carried In a sack to . on him, and that I had become the mur- I tho amphitheater, and there. In the pres j derer by still loving him. j ence of Augustus and the chief men of "For Pilate is kind and true to me." j his empire, he ordered a distribution of . she whispered. In yet lower tones. "He j tho parcels, and on everyone belnc j has shown me nothing but love up to ( opened he released the animals, when this fatal time, and how can I do other- each one ran to his native earth and em I wise than love him still?" braced it. as all he could find of home. "Tak comfort, Claudia," whispered Mary, "for surely our Lord, Himself, who teaches us to love even our enemies, would not rebuke thee for loving him who Is thine own husband!" "But. Mary," resumed the other. In her eagerness to speak, letting her veil drop aside, showing that her fair cheek and noble feature? had been paled and fur rowed with tears. "Mary," she contin- ued, hastily gathering up the folds and ! again hiding herself, "did not the Lord forgive and pray for His murderers, even on the cross? And dost not thou think that His prayer had virtue in it?" "Why should It not?" responded Man, soothingly. Clandla'n Anguish. "Ah!" returned the other, "I have tried to think so! I have spent the lone watches of the night in prayer that this ' wonderful petition might be answered and his guilt washed away. Oh. there are doubtless many who look on ray fine robes and stately chambers with envy, but I could go yonder and fall in the dust to dasD the knees of that bereaved mother whose bereavement my own heart's love has In part, occasioned. It would be a greater blessing to this aching heart than the wealth of the whole wide world could purchase." Her slight form shook with emotion. but Mary drew her further aside and soon cnnnPorlM In rsctnrlnr no,. In OTtornnl . quiet. Just then their attention was called to Joanna, who had something to relate. Laying aside her mantle, she began thus: "Yes, let your hearts be strong In faith. for good can never be entirely overthrown at the same time watching several young men who were trying their strength by lifting and throwing the stone, Zoheleth. "Directly one of these, observing him. drew him aside, and, knowing him to be privately a believer In the new gospel, told him that he had but just then met a pilgrim who had lately returned from Edessa, bearing letters for Herod, by the hand of Abagarus, King of that city, and who, moreover, had gathered Joyful news during his sojourn there. "Then the young man hastened for ward; for this pilgrim was he whom he had sought, his abode being Engedl. And he overtook him but a little within the walls, for the messenger was bowed with age and wea-y with his long journey. And when he had delivered his letter Into the hands of the King, our young man brought him to the house of Chuzah. And this Is his story: " 'Abagarus, who, the good brethren will remember, not many months ago. FOR SHARP EYES OF LITTLE FOLKS. wrote to the Master for relief, is healed of his Infirmity by the power of Jesus, in the person of Thaddeus, and he be lieves, and all his house.' " "This is. indeed. Joyful intelligence, my daughter," sa'd Joseph, laying a hand on the head of Joanna, as if in the act of blessing her. At that moment a knocking was heard at the gate, and Thomas, be ing admitted confirmed the story. "The harvest truly Is plenteous, as our dear Lord hath often said," remarked John; "then let as. O. my brethren, sow In faith and God will send forth reapers." "It is truly so," responded Peter, and then he continued: "Abagarus Is a truth ful as well as a shrewd man, and he will, I doubt -not, do much good. There is a story told of him while he was a prisoner at Rome, which is really worth remem- boring, even now and here. It may be known to some cf you that this King of Edessa. having assisted In obtaining the defeat of Crassus, was afterwards obliged to submit to Augustus, oy wnom be was carried to Rome, in order to keep him true to his forced allegiance. He was 1 9 J . .t tttt. r Vlni Ontff mat uluhicu UL 43 blue v -4..o. . obliged to accept that of Toparch. or Gov j ernor. Instead thereof. He grew weary, I at length, of this state of Inactivity, and I comparative bondage, and Anally be I thought himself of a. strategem, hoping thereby to regain his liberty, and so in earth from the hole that each Inhabited, giving orders to his attendants that every The Emperor read the riddle, taking the lesson so to heart that he restored the captive King his titles and sent him back to Edessa." The relation of this little anecdote had a very pleasing effect, relaxing the minds of those present, whose thoughts had been strained with too severe a tension. Then Mark, and also his mother, spokn to their guests, bidding them go Into thti outer chamber and refresh themselves. They arose at the word. and. passing out. they found tables spread with wholesome and simple viands. But ere they sat down, new guests arrived: at the same time Joanna, with her companion, passed quietly out. The first who entered was a sage, whose once fine and stately form was bending beneath the weight of many years. No one knew him. for he took an obscure piice, unobserved at the moment, be- cause the common attention was directed to the Disciple, Barnabas, who entered close behind. Repeating the common form of saluta tion "Peace be to this house, and bless- Ings abide with the faithful!" Barnabas came forward, and, having saluted the friends individually, he addressed him self especially to Peter. James and John, who were gathered in a group around him. He told them, with much emphasis. the story of Saul's conversion, and urged that he should be joined with- them In "' "e s"; lne nUnlStTJ When the Apostles and other brethren hesitated, expressing doubts as to the reality of the Imputed change, he lifted up his voice and do clared, earnestly: Bnrnnbna Exhorts. "Know this, whether ye receive Him, or whether ye reject, the Lord hath sent Him forth, and ye cannot hinder him, for who can overthrow what the Lord wllleth? He has already been found worthy to suffer persecution, for the Jews, even now, are thirsting for his life. Look at his works and see If they are not In the power and spirit of tha Lord! Try xf there Is any shadow In them for the concealment of evil! The Lord hath baptized Him in a. flood of light from heaven, and who can set aside his baptism?" Then there was a sound of many voices expressing a desire to see and to wel come Saul to the field of labor. "Lo, He- standeth at the gate, waiting to be Introduced Into your presence," answered Barnabas, who, passing out, left the door open that led into the court. Every eye was searching intently for the newcomer, and when they saw figure moving amid the darkness, with a mysterious light falling round about, they marveled with fear and trembling, think ing they had seen an angeL As he came forward, through fear or veneration, some were fain to prostrate themselves before him. But, raising them, as he .ad vanced, he took the outstretched hands of Peter and John, and, having saluted such as were pressing Immediately about him, he thus addressed them: "Brethren and sisters In the bonds of tho crucified Jesus, If I am found worthy A CHRISTMAS TREE, A CHRISTMAS GOOD LITTLE BOY AND HIS GOOD to suffer or die In this good cause. It will not be of mine own worthiness, but the mercy of God." And. folding his arms over his breast, as If overcome by the intensity of his emotions, he remained silent, standing in the midst. Soul Is Welcomed. His words and manner shamed every doubt and silenced every fear, and they who had suspected his fitness stood abashed before Tilm. All, even the sim plest, comprehended at once that there could be no guile In the fair, open brow, and the clear eyes that arched so nobly upward, and looked so truthfully for ward. Many came near to kiss the bor ders of his garment, and to offer silent prayers and p.our out benedictions forJjjeth.er la tao harmonious bonds o this new brother. Then a Joyful shout burst upon the silence, and hosannas rent the air, for Saul, of Tarsus, stood among them. When the burst of enthusiasm had somewhat subsided, the sage- who had not before been noticed and -who was entirely unknown by all present, came forward. Casting aside his outer gar ment, ha walked Into the center of the throng, and, leaning on his staff with one hand, laid the other steadily, not withstanding his extreme age. on the head of the new minister. And, In a voice whose clear, musical tonea seemed rather an attitude of immortal youth than of decaying life, thus he epoke: "Blessed art thou, Saul, last, but not least among the disciples of the Holy One. Verily that name shall be great In the earth with a greatness that belong eth to no other. It is a rising star that shall guide lost ones over the desert. It is an unfolding sun that shall give light to darkness. It is a fountain of life that shall break out on the shores of death. Thou shalt be as the river of the mountains, whose fountain-head is the bosom of paradise, and whose voice is a cry of joy. Swelled by the torrents". It passes on with a strong and rapid current, continually growing stronger and deeper, until Its broad arms embrace widely distant lands. Such Is the type of thy course, for thou shalt carry this new gospel of life unto remote uations." Then, lifting and spreading forth his hands, aa in the act of conferring a gen eral benediction, he said: The Sase'i Prophecy. "Blessings be with you, and peace peace that shall come forth like a star on the clouded night blessings that shall spring up like flowers In the midst of thorns! Blessed are ye, men and women, brethren and sisters. Many nere shall be found worthy to suffer death. Fear not; for your wounds shall be healed as with the balsam of Gllend; ye shall labor day and night, and when ye are ready to faint, yo shall inhale strength as the breath of frankincense, and life as the spirit of the aloe! Ye shall be cast before sav age beasts, but their eyes shall be opened and their mouths shut, e shall take up serpents and tread on noxious reptiles, and they shall not harm you. Yo shall walk forth In the midst of pestilence, and health, flowing out from your presence, shall purify the air. For you the wing of the hurricane shall be bound and the bow of the tempest shall be broken. Your lives shall be fragrant as the breath Of Eschol; your hopes unfailing as the waters of Bethulla, and whether ye die of stones, or on the cross, or by new tor tures, or on your own beds in peace, your release shall be triumphant as the going up of, an eagle, and ye shall be embalmed In the hearts of all generations with memories immortal as the per fume of rosea. "Lo! when the outer eyes are dim with age, the eyes of the spirit, looking for ward, behold the darkness of the future, clear as noonday. Thus do I perceive the truth. Thus do I see It Is good that Jesus should die on the cross, and that many of His followers sbauld seal the covenant with their blood. Behold, the shadow of the cross stretcheth from sea to sea, embracing new worlds In its man tle of love!" "And who art thou, wonderful seer?" exclaimed the Madonna, coming forward and looking earnestly in his face. "Sure ly I know that voice, and yet I can scarce believe." He Interrupted by drawing her gently to the light. Bending his aged eyes on her face, he perused It earnestly. Then he said: Recognition. "Yes, It is even so. Thou art not aa one who walketh In the valley of vanity. Thou wast younger then, Mary, when the new-born babe was on thy knee, but fairer to the spirit's eyes do I now be hold thee. Rememberest thou the East ern Magi, that blessed thee as the mother of the Holy Oner "And art thou he who was called Uriel, because his soul was as an angel of light?" "Men gave me such a name, and I am the last survivor of all my brethren," responded the sage. All present were filled with astonish ment and profound awe, gazing on the sage's stately figure, as he stood in their midst, with his long hair, white as the snowy locks of Lebanon, sweeping, in silken waves, over his should era, and his mysterious utterance, combining the char acters of poet and prophet. "And whence comest thou?" inquired John. "Even from my native country, the land of Elam. I have come hither to lie down at the foot of the cross and find rest. Ere I depart hence to pass over the dark gulf, I seek to drink more freely andx deeply of that new wisdom, whose germ I flrst saw enfolded In the Babe of the Manger. No peace could I find elsewhere, and when, by power of that sympathy which had always drawn His life to mine. I beheld Him stretched upon the cruel tree. I took up my pilgrim staff and left the land of Iran, though It might be forever." "And who was a guide to thine age and a support to thy weakness?" asked the Magdalen. "Thlnkest thou, my daughter, that the etar that flrst led me hither Is blotted from the sky? The eye of faith "I3 not led by external signs, and the soul of faith envelops the weakness of the body with the truest armor." "But If thou didst believe In the teach lngs of our Lord, why didst thou not come before?" inquired Thomas. Son of Ornuzd. "I was born a son of Ormuzd," replied the sage. "Names are nothing, and to me he was and is the true God. I have lived, not in external forms or names of wisdom, but In the silent power of the Spirit, that asked not of times or places, but only of truth. I have drank deeply of the ancient wisdom of Egypt; the long-obscured learning of Ethiopia was unfolded before mo, until it became clear and simple as the letters of Cadmus, and my life has been Illuminated with the Zendavesta, or Book of Fire, that burned with the wisdom of Zoroaster. I have seen much that was good in all, and much that was also ueeless or hurt ful. The eyes of the seer looked back to their beginning and forward to their end. But when I came to that Babe In .the Manger, I beheld, in the halo that crowned his brow, a concentration of all previous light, the excellency of all future glory." He paused a few moments, and then added: "Now that I have borne my tes timony, let me bless you and depart in peace." "Nay, good father," said the hostess, "tarry with us through the night, and always, if thou wilt." "And thy life shall be guarded with ours, until it sinks Into the beautiful re pose that seemeth near at hand," said tho Magdalen.. "Nay, my children; seek not to detain my steps beyond the light of morning. The old man's love Is strong; he would reach the borders of Iran and pass away from the home of his fathers." Then Mary called the damsel, Rhoda, and she brought water, and the Madonna herself sat on the ground and washed the feet of the sage, and Mary Magdalen wiped the dust from his brow, and they vied with each other in acts of kindness and attention. "Ye have made the heart of the old man young again," said the venerable seer, as he rose from the bath, and, stretching forth his hands, again blessed them. The Sapper. Then, when all were ready, they drew around the board, and Mark took bread and, breaking it, called on the name of the Lord, and they sat down, to meat, as they had done often while their departed friend was yet In the flesh and stood in their midst dally. Having finished their repast, they sat In silence, and a divine Joy pervaded eT ery bosom, for they felt the presence of that good spirit by whoso name and power their hearts had been knit to never-dying love. And when they spoka again, one to another, their words were like sweet melodies of fraternal kindness and good cheer flowing from soul to soul. Occasionally exhartatlons burst forth, full of hope and determination ami courage, waking the same emotions in the listeners, as they pointed ever to the bright example of Him who had bap tized his sincerity m the immortal blood of the cross. So they kept the night: but with the. gray dawn every man returned to his place and every woman to her home. And when the earliest beams of the rls- . ing sun shono over the eastern summit of Mount Zlon, the sage, "Uriel, stood on the threshold, staff In hand. Again ha blessed the house and all that were in it, and went his way. Once more he paused, to drink and wash himself in the pool of Slloam, and then, with a murmur of love to the Rlsea Babe of Bethlehem, he set his faca towards Iran, and the Arst posthumous anniversary of the birth of the Lord was flnished. EUGENE L. THORPE. SUGGESTIONS TO LEGISLATURE Remarks on Bills Which Introduced. May Be KLAMATH. FALLS. Dec 19. To tho Editor.) I offer a few suggestions on sub jects now getting attention, Arst on the. scalp bounty law. I have not much pa tience with opposition to a measure simply because its direct operation is not precisely the same in every part of tha state, but there is an argument against the coyote bounty which I have not seen stated. To be successful In the sheep business men must have dogs and herd ers and corrals, and must look well after their flocks anyhow. All they need do Is to make their night corrals a littlo more secure, and there will be small need of this- law. It costs the sheepmen mora than it Is worth. Then all laws should be for the greatest good to the largest number of citizens. Comparatively few are or will be engaged In the sheep business In Oregon. Immensely greater numbers are engaged in raising grain, vegetables, etc Everyone who is in formed on the subject knows that coyotes are great destroyers of rabblta and ground squirrels, which are rubious pests most destructive to gardens and to grain and other crops. Expensive fencing might shut out the rabbits, but not the squir rels. uli, Second Theinsh and game laws. Only a few plain restrictions are necessary. The world Is governed too much. There Is no use making laws that are not ex pected to be heeded. Most of the game laws are a premium on lawlessness. Among pioneers, so great Is the sense of the injustice and wrong of most of theso restrictions about flsh and game, that there la little obedience, and the breaking of one law leads to the breaking of others. Most pioneer settlers are poor, and de pend mainly on fish and game for their meat. They could safely be trusted not to waste and destroy their own present and prospective supplies. They are a law unto themselves and among them selves against unseasonable killing of game, etc., till driven to it. In order to get any. by city sports and club men fond of hunting and fishing, and rich enough to come and camp near the frontier set tlements and kill all the game they can, seasonable or not. About two years ago, such sportsmen visited the vicinity of Pelican Bay. in Klamath County, and were reported as killing, during the closed season, about 1000 ducks, mostly mal lards, nearly all cf which were just left where they fell, so that wasted, dead ducks floated down, lodged, and accumu lated at one point In sufllclent numbers to dam the brook, which was quite a stream. No wonder the honest, hard working settler fails to see the justice In laws, to make him keep hands oft and go hungry. In order that the clubmen can turn out and have their sport. Almost the whole string are so plainly and solely for the benefit of mere gentle men sportsmen, that the border men will fret and chafe under them for awhile, and then disregard them. The Oregonian It self Is no doubt aware of that recent court decision that when It Is lawful for ducks, or other game to be marketed in a state, and it is then lawful to kill them In an adjoining state, they may bo shipped from the one state to the other and sold. Yet some of our folks want to prohibit selling ducks, etc, even at home. Such prohibition will not stick, and there Is no use to try to make It. Wrong and Impolitic Is any law about game, which permits a man to kill It, and yet undertakes to restrict his use of it, further than to require that it be not wasted. And why prohlbt from wasting say venison, while the same law forbids a, man to sell a pound of his deer, but In sists that he must be a sufllcient glutton to cat It all himself, ar.d then swallow tho hide? About the next thing will ba "an act" providing that nobody shall cook any game, except out doors by a camp Are, on a hazel switch. Third The Supreme Court. If the Su preme Court Judge will stop making Ions arguments and citations of authorities, at least In plain and simple cases, they can keep up with business, and, Inci dentally, the state printing will cost less, and lawyers and other can understand the laws better. It is astonishing that any one should do so, but some months ago a man did ap peal to the Oregon Supreme Court to en .able him to take advantage of a new law to avoid a financial liability he had incurred under a certain older law which had been repealed some months after tha incurring of said liability. The court took quite a number of pages of the "re ports" to say this: "No ex post facto law can operate In these United States, and this liability having been incurred under a law good at the time it was so incurrd, appellant (A. B.) must pay it." KLAMATH- Elevate the Street Llslits. PORTLAND, Dec. a. (To the Editor.) Having lived In this city a number of years, also in Los Angeles and San Diego, Cal., I call the attention of the general public to the difference in light of tho latter cities to that of Portland. In Los Angeles, also in San Diego, the electric light poles (most of them) are twice the height of those here, and four arc light3 are suspended therefrom. Instead of one, and this gives a brilliant light over a couple of blocks, on all four sides of tho pole. (I mean south, west, north and east In direction from the pole). I never saw such dark streets down there as I do here In this city. Espe cially have they those lights on and near Buch places as the Southern Pacific freight and passenger depot, also tho Santa Fe depot, and out-of-the-way limits where hold-ups would most likely occur. Anyone going up Front street anywhere near the terminal grounds and the O. R. & N. warehouse would see the benefit of erecting such lights, not only In keeping one from falling, or permitting men to collide with one another in the dark, but in making It hard for footpad3, as their best place to operate Is in dark streets and on dark corners, where they can hide till their intended victim approaches. Give our city such lights in out-of-the-way places and you will need less of a police force, have fewer hold-ups and be better off In the long run. Hoping this will como under the eyes of our city fathers, a3 well as those who believe In having well lighted streets to travel on at night, I am respectfully. HENRY LIEBE. MOUNT" HOOD. Father Earth, asleep on the ground, Pulled on night cap and Its strings bound Used a glacier instead ot a cap. A snow bank In place of a hat. Hood was e. traveler of worth; Mount Hood is a hood, on the earth A towering bonnet of snow, A canopy of white aglow; Its broad dimensions high In air. Conspicuous, handsome and fair. ' - , Rev. T. "W. Haven, Ph. D. &J.. York Springs, Pa.. Dec 5, 1000. &