"ABSALOM now assembled the princes and elders of the various tribes who had declared openly for him, to consult what further measures should be taken to strengthen and confirm his government. Not less than five hundred leading men, numbers of them famous in the annals of their country, were gathered in grand council; but all eyes were turned to Ahithophel, whose long experience and unrivalled reputation for political wisdom gave him an undisputed preeminence.

"Now," said Belial, "I cannot go on with this history, without requesting this large and respectable assembly to give special attention to what I am about to relate. I was prodigiously interested at the time, and I have never spoken of it since without the strongest emotion."

At this request, there was a general movement through the whole assembly. Huge demons, from remote heathen lands, were seen putting themselves in an attitude of renewed attention, and fixing their eyes on the speaker with awakened expectation.

"I have witnessed debates," said Belial, "between the most renowned orators in heathen lands. When the great masters of eloquence in Greece and Rome were in the zenith of their glory, I have heard their argu

ments.

Among modern nations also, I have attended to the discussions of their ablest statesmen. But the debate that now ensued, whether we consider the talent arrayed on opposite sides, or the momentous results that followed, has had, so far as my observation has gone, few parallels in the history of parliamentary discussion.

"Absalom first broke the silence, calling out his renowned counsellor. Ahithophel, give counsel what we shall do.'

"Ahithophel rose, and with both hands threw back the long locks of his hoary hair. There was a gladness in his eye, an air of satisfaction that entirely overspread his remarkable countenance, that told how largely he shared in the triumph already achieved. With a reverential, prolonged, and graceful inclination of his person towards Absalom, he thus began:

"The success, thus far, of this glorious and memorable revolution has equalled, nay, I may say, transcended far, the liveliest anticipations of your majesty's warmest admirers. The same wise counsels followed a little further, and the work is done. Your majesty's dominion is established, firm as the foundations of Lebanon, over all Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba. One obstacle only remains in your path, Have him swept entirely and forever out of the way, and then your long and prosperous reign goes on without hazard or molestation. As to that man, mark what I say,' (three times rapping his finger on the table before him,) 'take time by the forelock! Pause not! delay not! till the final blow is given, that secures to your majesty all that your heart can desire. The de

one man.

throned monarch left the city late this afternoon in consternation and fright; he has as yet no plans of resistance or defence. This is evident from the fact that, with Jerusalem in his possession, and all the munitions of war in the city at his command, no attempt was made to bar the gates or man the walls against the followers of your majesty. This,' said he, in one respect, is to be regretted,' looking round over the glowing countenances of the proud aspiring nobles that thronged the spacious hall; 'for multitudes around your majesty eagerly coveted the opportunity of demonstrating their enthusiastic loyalty by cutting to pieces whatever opposition might have been vainly attempted to the advancement of the prince of their choice.'

"Here bursts of tumultuous applause overwhelmed the speaker. He yielded to the torrent, while loud and extravagant protestations of zeal and devotion resounded from all parts of the assembly. Prince vied with prince and noble with noble, Ephraim with Judah and Judah with Ephraim, Benjamin with Dan and Dan with Benjamin, who would be foremost to sacrifice limb and life in a cause so ardently beloved. Absalom at length called to order, and Ahithophel proceeded :

"But no such opportunity was offered; not even the shadow of attempt at resistance was made. Jerusalem, with all its defences, was abandoned, and the gates left open wide for the reception of one who is worthy to reign. The throneless exile, as I learn, in his flight went up the ascent of Mount Olivet, barefoot, with his head covered and weeping. His meagre handful of dejected and degraded followers, as I learn, covered every man his head, and went on weeping. Their appearance

was so forlorn and miserable, that the common people of the country, who witnessed their retreat, had their pity and sympathy so much excited, that men, women, and children, lifted up their voices and wept. These wretched refugees, I have certain intelligence, are now huddled together in the open field, quaking with terror and exhausted by their precipitate flight, a little beyond the town of Bahurim, wholly unprepared for resistance or further escape. But, mark me!'-here his emphasis was awful, while he smote the table at full force with his clinched hand, and stamped on the pavement with all his might'mark me! Take time by the forelock! This precious, golden opportunity must not be lost. This auspicious time must not be sacrificed. Beware of delay! If time be given, the old warrior will recover from this shock. His martial spirit will awake. His old military habits will be aroused and called again into action. His old soldiers, now scattered through the kingdom, will rally around him again, and he will become formidable in battle. Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, that each tribe may have an equal part in this glorious and conclusive deed; and I will arise and pursue after David this night; and I will come upon him while he is weary and weak-handed, and I will make him afraid; and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only. And when it is publicly known that David is dead, then all Israel will turn to thee, and thy kingdom shall be established in safety and in peace.' (2 Sam. xvii. 1—3.)

"Admirable ! admirable!' exclaimed Absalom: 'what wisdom could equal this!' The princes smiled, and gave signals of assent and approbation from all parts of

the council chamber; whilst Ahithophel left the room, as if some preparatory arrangement had occurred to his mind, necessary in order to his taking the proposed command.

"In this interval, Absalom inquired if any of the princes had a word to offer before the final decision was made. None answered.

6

"Is Hushai the Archite in the assembly?' said Absalom: we should like to hear his opinion.' (2 Sam. xvii. 5.)

"Hushai rose, and began to move slowly through the crowd of nobles, as if he was desirous to get nearer to the king. I thought," said Belial, "I could discover that while he wished to show that he was going to occupy the floor, he was anxious to give as much time as possible for the waves of emotion excited by Ahithophel's address to subside. I have told you that he was an experienced and talented counsellor, who had rubbed through many a hard dilemma, though never one that equalled this. He saw, with the clearness of a sunbeam, that if Ahithophel's counsel was followed, unless God interposed by miracle, David must be crushed; and yet, as he was proverbially called David's friend, if he too strongly dissented from Ahithophel, he would at once fall under suspicion, and ruin his cause. His introduction was modest and cautious in the extreme. "Illustrious monarch,' said he, 'your attention, and the attention of the princes of Israel, has again been engrossed by the enlightened views of the most renowned and fortunate statesman that ever graced the council of a king; renowned, I say, for who has ever equalled him in wisdom? and fortunate, for who would not be