tion of reflex truth, of the Gospel. By this means multitudes are led at first to believe it the very Gospel.

Moreover, as it is ever liable to be with erring man, many absolute inconsistencies are appended to, if not interwoven with the more external manifestations of the church. These as in ancient days, are, by the opposers, magnified, and presented as the signet of the great underwriter of christianity. And from the very apparent inefficiency of these errors, the plan of salvation through Jesus the Crucified, is proclaimed a fraud. Herein, as connected with the undefinable, incomprehensible and magic movement of the laws of magnetism, Harmonial spiritualism, etc., consists the power of the invasion upon the Inspired Word, now so mighty in its goings forth.

CHAPTER VI.

ESTHER BEFORE THE KING.

THE Old Testament is replete with demonstrations of a similar character to those already noticed. Indeed it is a history of like manifestations; those in which Divine Inspiration is opposed and the especial messengers of Heaven pursued with dread vindictiveness and frequently subjected to the severest trials. It matters little whether the opposition and suffering be from Cain, Pharaoh, the Prophets of Baal, Soothsayers, consulters of familiar Spirits, the fiery furnace, lions' den, Cross, faggot, Mesmerism, Harmonial spiritualism, the purpose and disposition seem the same. The opposed and afflicted, though Abel, Moses, Elijah, Mordecai, Job, Shadrach and his companions, Daniel, JESUS of Nazareth, his apostles, the Martyrs of the middle ages, or the true Christian of the Nineteenth Century, are the external agents, the ambassadors of Heaven, the advocates of Theocracy, Divine Inspiration, and the gospel of the Crucified Redeemer.

Pursuing the ancient history and omitting many important and confirmatory events, we pause to briefly consider the case of Mordecai and Queen Esther. Their trial was with the

malicious Haman, whose manifestations class him with the agents of that heaven opposing power which has ever afflicted the faithful sorvants of God. In that scene, enacted ages long since passed, the proud malicious spirit of evil sought the extirpation of the Jews in the dominion of Ahasuerus the king; but was foiled in a most remarkable manner; and the consequences intended for the worshipers of God, fell upon. the head of the medium of the evil device. Most insidious was the scheme to cut off God's people and prostrate the purposes of heaven through them.

Haman as above noticed, was the medium of evil, Mordecai was the point of revenge, while Esther was the means employed for the rescue; the manner of whose exaltation appears to have been the result of divine Wisdom, and for that especial purpose. That from which the conflict arose, consisted in an effort to compel Mordecai to bow down to Haman, a requirement which directly affected his religion. The true Hebrew worshiped God, and him only would he serve. But the decree went forth. "And all the king's servants that were in the king's gate, bowed and reverenced Haman, for the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence." How could he bow before man, since the Lord, whom he adored had com

manded his people to have no God before him. "And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands upon Mordecai alone: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai."

This exceeded personal revenge. Mordecai, alone, had offended; and adequate redress did not require the sacrifice of a people. Nevertheless, his resolution to withhold servile reverence from Haman, was made an occasion against all the Jews in the king's dominion. And Haman's plea before Ahasuerus, plainly discloses an enmity to that scattered and already afflicted race; a disposition to remove them from among men, which disposition has too frequently been evinced by the foe of the true Israelite and devout christian. "And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people of all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed. And I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those who have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasures. And the king

took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given unto thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee."

The decree was written in the king's name, and sealed with his seal, and sent forth through all the land. "And the king and Haman sat down to drink. But the city of Shushan was perplexed." Again the God of heaven, in his people is mocked and defied; and that spirit which wantonly slew Abel because he offered acceptable sacrifice before the Lord, once more seeks to vent his wrath upon the worshipers of the true God.

How manifest the disparity between the faithful servant of the Lord and the carnal man! how dissimilar in character the two controlling principles! And how marked their distinguishing qualities, when from time to time revealed in important trials. One discloses a deep and genuine devotion to heavenly requirements; the other a disposition to gratify the baser propensions. The natural man indulges in human pleasure, pride, ambition; and if occasion requires, extreme cruelty; while the Heaven-revering soul is cross-bearing, and the victim of maltreatment from the world-serving.

The history states that, "When Mordecai per