| FSD ODIO GIO DIO) QI GO OID G55 5555 555050 ° ee by em Vs Be ES) = ; aig = cae = WN ae aS eee a3 et = Ga Eels Ee Xe) sae a , a o ao — PN S50 oe SS SONSNOR EES ap up ose TSE ses SPOS Gp Op OOS SS 0a 56 eae Oy Banana os QJVAVVIVAIVIO III AOL ONS Toon) S90 gS 9535 30 05 DOPOD OsO Oo as DOO OSE OL COs 5550 395555055 AS30550 50 105 1539055050 105 555550505550 18" DOO ODIO Oe O08 5555 50 S55 1550 1555505 DOOM O So OOD DOOM Op ons roe Donor ooo ae 5555999 05518 35S 10 58S 558 ON PEN PN PRN PR NPR NN PRU NN PEN _ THE FIRST MORTGAGE (FULLY ILLUSTRATED) ss 5 | FROM : ra ae 1. as te GUSTAVE DORE Jo ae BY Pi oUre COOK = (ie , ATs) # ee Tog 1 go o* Ves ¥, 0) > ap thine tat, te. Se - There’s a song in the air, there's a star in the sky There's a mother’s deep prayer, and a baby’s lowcry | And the star rains its fire while the béautiful sing For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King i —Holla CHICAGO # =) ete Ruopes & McCiure Pus.isHine Co | ba 1902, a Entered according to Act of congress, in the year 1891, by 2 E,- U.= Cook; | z . In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. e =a j All rights reserved. ° a ‘en . _ ~: v fe, “ os a e ~ > eS a — ‘ Dk Mae se al =, 2 ‘ be i » 7 - - , a ire y ps eae ’ DEDICATION. + Ta those who can laugh through their tears, Can smile in the midst of a sigh, .* Can mingle their youth with their years On the road to the Sweet-by-and-by, — This Book ts Dedicated, THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. Now reader, go along with me, Away back to Eternity; | Go back beyond the days of youth, Where everything that was, was truth. Beyond the sorrow and the tears, Beyond the suffering and fears, Beyond the anguish and the gloom. Beyond the shadow of the tomb. Beyond all trouble and all pain, Beyond all losses and all gain, Beyond all sobs and bitter sighs, Beyond the limit of the skies. Before there was a ray of light, Before there was a day or night, Before a prayer was ever prayed, Before the world was ever made. Before there was a moon, or sun, Before old time itself begun; Before there was a now, or then, : & Before there was a where, or when. Before there was a ‘here’, or ‘there’, Or anything, or anywhere; Go back a hundred thousand years, And farther still, though filled with fears. PREFACE, | ~ Go back until within the past, You fail to find the place at last Where the beginning youcan see, _ At one end of Eternity. | | Go back until there’s not a trace Of anything, but God and space; God all around, below, above; Unlimited in power and love. Away back here removed from sight, Where everything that was, was right: Away back-here removed from sin, Is where my story does begin. | THE HEAVENLY CHOIR. ‘To bring some honor on his name.’ THE FIRST MORTGAGE ee PART I. Sometime, and somewhere out in space, God felt it was the proper place _ To make a world, as he did claim, To bring some honor to his name. ’ Before God brought the world about, I wonder if he did not doubt Whether, since he had found the spot, He’d better make a world, or not. Hence with himself he then communed, His attributes he importuned; First unto Truth the Lord applied, To see if he was satisfied. Truth, looking down through coming years, Declared that he was filled with fears, And said he knew not what to do In case that man should prove untrue. (17) 14 ¢ FORBIDDEN FRUIT. For Truth unchanged has always stood, And all he knows, or is, is good; And Truth when taken all alone Is firm as walls of solid stone. Then Justice rising to her feet, Said, ‘‘ Unto every one I meet I deal out justice as I should, Alike to both the bad and good. And hence from duty J .J not swerve, I'll treat mankind as they deserve, And if on God they do not trust, All I can do is treat them just.” And then came Mercy, mild and meek, And askedif she a word might speak. In gentle tones and accents mild, She plead as would a little child. - Her lips did quiver as she’d speak, The tears went streaming down her cheek, Her voice was like the voice of love, Or like the cooing of a dove. She said, ‘‘ If man should go astray, I'll point to him another way, And by the mercy that I give, Poor, fallen man again may live, THE CREATION. ‘¢ And his companion I will be, w~ ‘ _ Both on the land and on the sea. And should he fail to go aright, I'll be near by, both day and night. I'll be with him when young or old, I'll be with him amongst the gold, I'll be with him when he is poor, ° When death is knocking at the door.” The Lord adopted Mercy’s plan, And made the world — also the man. This is the way the thing was done, Without a ray of light or sun; Away out there alone, above, Without a thing to make it of, © The world was made without a-flaw, Without a hammer or a saw. Without a bit of wood or stone, Without a bit of flesh or bone, . x . -Without a board or nail or screw, Or anything to nail it to. Without a foot-hold or a trace Of anything at all but space. The only thing the Lord could do Was simply speak a word or two. 19 206 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. And then without apparent cause, A thing that was not, now then was, And if the story told is true, The world came boldly into view, And stood out there alone in space, Without a blade of grass, or trace Of life, or living thing, or light, A bare old world in darkest night. No rippling rills, nor balmy breeze, No songs of birds, nor swaying trees; There was not e’en a sound on earth, For none of these as yet had birth. ‘God made the grasses then to grow, And made the balmy breezes blow; He made the sun to give us light, The moon to shine for us at night. He then did work at things like these: Made fish with fins to swim the seas, Horses, cows and Indian ponies, And whales to swallow up the Jonahs. He made the little birds to sing, Made Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring, The mighty oak, and little fern, And beds of coal for us to burn. ADAM AND EVE «““Now Adam was not satisfied . ide oy br So Eve was made to be his * ¢ 4 y ats .Y ' ie. oe a if cag! Sd 7 as (o>) i ae - ADAM AND EVE. 21 Made reptiles, worms and creeping things, Made some without, and some with wings, Made dogs to bark, and cats to mew, Made our colors, red, white, and blue. Made the cyclone, and the zephyr, The wild bull, and domestic heifer, Made the flowers, and forest trees, He made the bugs, and bumble bees. He made the steam and smoke to rise, The clouds to float up in the skies, And, in accordance with his plan, He took some dirt and made a man. And many other things did make, And in them all made one mistake; But this was no mistake in plan— The dirt was bad when he made man. Now, Adam was not satisfied, So Eve was made to be his bride, To share his griefs, as well as joys, And be the mother of his boys. And they together may have played Beneath.the weeping willow’s shade, Down by the little rippling stream, Whose waters in the sunlight gleam. 22 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. They may have played with pretty toys Like other little girls and boys; 2 They may have made mud cakes and pies Like children do of their same size. Perhaps Miss Eve made dolls and quilts, While Adam stalked about on stilts; Perhaps she rode upon his sled, Or in his wagon painted red. While he played horse and pulled the load, He may have trudged along the road, As Eve within the wagon sits, And Adam, horse like, chews the bits. » And thus their childhood may have passed, Until they reached the age at last When Adam wished to wed a wife To help him pull his sled through life. To sew the buttons on his pants, And thus his comfort to enhance, To brush his clothes, tie his cravat, And do such little things as that. To wash and iron, and scrub the floor, And each day do it o’er and o'er; Three times a day to cook his meals, No matter then how tired she feels. ADAM AND EVE. When he comes home at close of day, He wishes her, so blithe and gay, To meet him with a pleasant smile, And thus his weary hours beguile. She no doubt thought it would be grand, To always have at her command, Some one to love, some one to scold, Some one to care for her when old. Some one to brush away her tears, Dispel her sorrow, calm her fears, Some one to drive away dull care, Some one to smooth her tangled hair. Some one she hoped that she would suit, To help her eat ‘‘ Forbidden Fruit,” Some one with whom to share her joys, And be the father of her boys. One day as they together played, A proposition Adam made; This proposition was to wed; I think Miss Eve then hung her head. Perhaps she bit her finger nail, And blushed, turned red, and then turned pale, Her tongue against her cheek did poke, Then smiled and wet her lips and spoke. 23 24 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. I do not know just what she said, As Adam with her must have plead, But from the sequel I would guess, She must have answered Adam, ‘‘y-e-s.” And quickly then the gossips said, That Eve and Adam soon would wed; And Eve was glad, and did rejoice To know that she was Adam’s choice. Without a mansion, house, or cot, Adam went and the license got, And as they stood there side by side, Old mother Eve became a bride. No mother-in-law took him to task, He had no father-in-law to ask, No one, in fact, had aught to say, Eve simply gave herself away. There, no doubt, in that far-off land, The bride and groom stood hand in hand} No organ tones the air did fill, But all around them then was still. The zephyrs were the only breeze That bent the flowers, or swayed the trees, The tender limb and shady bower Had never felt the tempest’s power. _——, IN PARADISE. In this land there ne’er was a weed, The plants that grew came not from seed; The will of God had placed them there, Tempered the breeze, and the balmy air. Flowers of every shade and hue, The red and orange, white and blue, With mosses growing on the trees, And vines that swayed with every breeze. The mellow light from the midnight moon, Rays so bright from the sun at noon, The sweet perfume and singing birds Cannot be told in human words. As down the floweryaislesthey walked, Of loves young dream together talked, How quickly must the years have sped, When Eve and Adam first were wed. To him it was a world of joys No jealousy of other boys, No pangs to cause his soul unrest, For fear she loved another best. And thus they did each other please Till Eve went shopping ’mongst the trees; She wished some apple-sauce to make, And got the apples of a snake. ys 25 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. When Adam came that night to tea, She said, ‘‘ Here’s apple-sauce for thee,” She'd made it very nice and sweet, So Adam took it and did eat. And on its goodness she enlarged, Because, no doubt, she’d had-it ‘‘charged.” And then perhaps, beside the fruit, She may have bought a fig-leaf suit. And just as other merchants will, The snake at last came with his bill; And Adam then refused to pay, And tried to send the snake away. And enmity the Lord did make Between the woman and the snake, That enmity, the Lord did quoth, Should be between the seed of both. «¢ And it shall bruise the serpent’s head, And thou shalt bruise his heel instead:” And here the promise first is met _ Of him who came to pay the debt. But while the snake around ‘him lurked, The Devil came for whom he clerked, And then he said, to make me whole, ‘Tl take a mortgage on your soul.” a | him gl 4 0 ER OL AaB MURD E 1H * And saw the serpent past de. | i ly See oT : THE DEVIL’S MORTGAGE ON THE SOUL. And then a mortgage Adam gives On every soul that ever lives; And when that mortgage was arranged, How quickly everything was changed. Disease and sickness, grief and pain, Shadow and sorrow, drouth and rain, Discord and murder, every sin, Were by this mortgage ushered in. The storm-winds blew, and not the breeze, The wild birds screamed amongst the trees, The rag-weeds and the foxtail grew, The cuckle-burr and _ thistle too. Now Adam to supply his needs, Hoed the garden, and mowed the weeds, He tilled the soil through drouth and wet— You should have seen the old man sweat! Qa All through the day old Adam ploughs, And then goes home and milks the cows, And feeds the pigs and little fowls, And then sits round and growls and growls. wa . A bitter follows all his sweets, A foe for every friend he meets; The hawks do on the sparrows prey, The tall trees in the tempest sway. 27 28 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. The wild beast in his anger howls, And nights made hideous by the owls, The cyclone sweeps across the lake, The earth does tremble and does quake. Black clouds gather, the torrent pours, Lightnings flash, and storm-wind roars, The thunders say as they do roll, ‘You have a mortgage on your soul.” And further on as the story runs, We're told that Adam had two sons}3 I often wonder what he did When Cain was just a little kid. And in my mind behold a sight, As Adam walks the floor at night, And sings a lullaby to Cain, Who, cutting teeth, is racked with pain. No doubt the little fellow yelled, Against his papa’s will rebelled, And unto Adam it was plain To raise the lad —they must ‘‘ raise Cain,” At last the lad to manhood grew, And then his younger brother slew, Whose body then, no doubt to hide, Was dragged down by the river’s side. FIRST PAYMENT ON THE MORTGAGE. He then upon that body gazed With both his hands to heaven raised, Plead with the powers to end the strife And bring that body back to life. He kissed the brow and kissed the cheek, And asked the lips again to speak; He wrung his hands and shrieked in grief, Implored the heavens for relief. Caressed that body, cold and dead, And, Oh! how bitterly he plead For just one smile, or look, or word, Then listened — not a sound he heard, Save just a rustle by his side, And saw the serpent past him glide; And on his brow came drops of sweat To pay the interest on that debt. Cain went East to the Land of Nod, Afraid to meet both man and God, And with him there a wife did dwell, But who, or what, I cannot tell. And, sometime after Abel’s death, A child was born, whose name was Seth, Old father Adam was his Pa, And he was Cain’s wife’s brother-in-law. 29 30 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. And Enos now, I do believe, Was son of Seth, grandson of Eve; And then came Cainan next in,view, Mahalaleel and Jarad, too. Then Enoch came and multiplied; God took him just before he died, And then Methusaleh next appears, Who lived almost a thousand years. And Lamech was Methusaleh’s son, And then old Noah’s life begun — A life of peril and of joys; Shem, Ham and Japheth were his boys. This is the way the story runs — These are the father arid the sons, From when old Adam first had birth, Until the biggest rain on earth. For we are told about that rain, Whose waters spread across the plain, And covered all the hills and heights, And lasted forty days and nights. The waters covered all the ground, And every one on earth was drowned, Excepting those who did embark Along with Noah in his ark. / HHL {} j ‘As up the mountain side she drags Herself by mountain peaks and crags," a ne Sr, A ee ee , ae ~ THE FLOOD. Now’in my mind I see a sight, Tis clouds as black-as darkest night, I hear the thunders roll and crash, I see the lightnings’ vivid flash. I see the surging of the deep, I see strong men bow down and weep, I see the young man and his bride, Go climbing up the mountain side. I hear the mother in her grief Imploring heaven for relief, As up the mountain side she drags Herself by mountain peaks and crags. The serpent, on the mountain side, Out from his hiding place does glide, And says, ‘‘I see mid cold and wet, You're paying interest on that debt.” The winds, no doubt, blew Cold and bleak, The waves swept over every peak, And everything was damp and dark, No life except in Noah’s ark. The fountains of the deep were dried, And then the waters did subside; Until at last, upon dry ground, The ark a resting place had found. zt 32 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Then out of Noah’s ark there came Beasts, and birds of every name. They came along in twos and twos, Some polar bears and kangaroos, ~ Some cows and horses, sheep and shoats, Some billy and some nanny-goats, Some tigers, lions, wolves and bears, Raccoons and’possums, minks and hares. The whip-poor-will and hooting owl, The eagle and the barnyard fowl, The hawk and sparrow, and the wren, | Four women and as many men. Awhile on earth these did reside Alone, but quickly multiplied; They owned no land and paid no rents, They moved about and lived in tents. Unto the land of Shinar came, And built a tower, to make a name. This tower should be so very high— Its top would rest beyond the sky. But then, this tower was never used: The builders’ tongues became confused. When with each other they would speak, One talked in French, another Greek. z& THE TOWER OF BABEL. *¢ And all at once the work did stop, Some men below, @#ddét @Gsbhe OD top.”’ CONFUSION OF TONGUES. One talked Italian, one talked Dutch, One talked Spanish, another such A mixed up mess you never heard, You could’nt understand a word. While they their work together planned, One says, ‘‘I do not understand.” ‘No sabe,” then the Spaniard say, And all the Germans, ‘‘ nix vishta.” And when a workman ordered brick They may have brought the man a stick, Or if by chance he ordered bread, They brought a stone, perhaps, instead. And all at once the work did stop; Some men below and some on top, And some with mortar for the stack, Would turn around and take it back. And each man mad and madder got — He didn’t know at whom or what — So many things he did not like, That with the rest he joined the strike. And hence at last old Babel’s walls — A pile of ruins—crumbles, falls To pieces, and upon the ground To-day, I’m told, those bricks are found. 33 abl tities Sabian ie ot Wala Poe eee Aint SSS eee Rar ie i as el) Si er Ne al ee a ON IA yn 8g “vtighy igi ‘ ake wae} . j : ‘ & aay Air ; - ov} Jl wd. oP be ae oe A . ' et < ge ee BE. Ne x 34 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Now Abram and his nephew, Lot, Into some trouble one time got | About their cattle and their herds; Ae But Abram said, ‘‘ We'll have no words, ee ‘‘For thou canst have the left or right . Of all the land that is in sight; ” And then I think I heard him quoth: ‘¢The world is wide enough for both.” Now, Jordan’s plains were rich, indeed, Well watered and supplied with feed; So, Lot down in the valley goes, Selects the land where Jordan flows. Down in this valley, rich and wide, Some wicked people did reside, And wickedness did so abound, Ten righteous men could not be found. Now, Lot was told to save his-life: To take his daughters and his wife, And up into the mountains flee, Where they would out of danger be. Here’s where their trials-first begun — Their story is a salty one — - When on their way they made a halt, ¢. Lot’s wife looked back, and turned to salt. THE RAIN OF FIRE. And then his daughters did behave In such a way, up in the cave, s -. Of them we do not care to speak, q It brings a blush upon the cheek. be 4 But fire and brimstone God did rain ; Down on the cities of the plain. mf The people had so wicked been : That now their trials must begin. ee , , - And as the fire and brimstone fell, a I find no words with which to tell, = The grief and anguish, pain and woes, Down where the river Jordan flows. And while the fire and brimstone falls, Out from his hiding place there crawls The serpent and declares it’s true, *«Today your interest cometh due.” To Abram we will now return, : And let the fire and brimstone burn; s ~ We'll take a peep at Abram’s life, | His hired girl, as well as wife. For, Abram, although very old, Was promised heirs, so we are told; And when that promise was arranged, His name to Abraham was changed. 36 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Now, Hagar came with them to live — To Sarah some assistance give; And she was treated as their child, Until on Abraham she smiled. Then Sarah somewhat jealous was, And not perhaps without a cause; The pledge to Abraham proved true, Instead of one heir, he had two. Now, Isaac was their lawful son, And Ishmael the other one. To Isaac then a feast was made, And both the boys together played. And Ishmael young Isaac teased, And Sarah thus became displeased; She told Miss Hagar to depart — To take her son at once, and start. The Lord, we're told, then to decide If Abraham on him relied, Commanded Abraham to take His son, an offering to make. So, Abraham, to end the strife, Prepared the wood, and fire, and knife; Up in the mountains he did go, And raised his hand to strike the blow. SEPP eS SN LSECKpR.[V[EEE WE SAS SAAVAAQQQAAN Bigs! = x e ~ wy SN & : XPULSION OF HAGAR. THEE ‘‘She told Miss Hagar to depart — To take her son at once and start es ee ISAAC AND REBEKAH. A voice then said to Abraham: ‘‘Look round, and thou shalt see a ram.” He looked, and saw among the thorns, A ram stood fastened by the horns. The ram for offering was prepared; Bless God, young Isa&c then was spared. The father’s heart then leaped for joy To think that God had saved his, boy. When Isaac unto manhood grew, He did as other people do; He took Rebekah for his wife, To love and cherish during life. The courtship was a novel one; This is the way it first begun: Ten camels and a servant went — Perhaps by Abraham were sent — To search among the neighbor girls, Among the false teeth, hair, and curls. And there this servant«must decide Which one should be young Isaac’s bride. And then the servant knelt and prayea, And asked the Lord to give him aid. Rebekah, very young and fair, Came out in answer to that prayer, 38 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. And met the servant at the well, And ‘thus enabled him to tell Which one would be the proper chvice To make young Isaac’s heart rejoice. And here the story first begins About two boys—a pair of twins-— While Jacob, one of them, was fair, Esau was covered o’er with hair. Esau, the elder one by birth, Lost everything he had on earth; And what he lost, young Jacob made; Got part by fraud, and part by trade. When Isaac’s eyes with age grew dim, Esau would kill a deer for him, And then prepare the nicest part, And thus he wen his father’s heart. When Jacob saw what Esau did, He went and killed a little kid, And put the skin around his wrists, A strip around his neck he twists. He then prepares a little meat, And gives the old man some to eat, And thus the blessing he obtains; What Esau loses, Jacob gains. Sy a! %, = =v REBEKAH AT THE WELL. swer to that prayer. young and fair, very in an ’ ‘‘Rebekah Came out JACOB AND RACHEL. ‘T was on account of what I’ve said, That Jacob from his brother fled, And made the journey all alone And for a pillow used a stone. Perhaps he'd heard his mother tell Of her experience at the well, And when unto a well he came, He hoped that his would be the same. No doubt he sat there hours and hours, And watched the birds, and bees, and flowers, Admired the girls that came in sight, From early morn till late at night. When Rachel came along that day, Methinks I heard young Jacob say, As off the well the stone he slid: ‘«T’ve come to do as mother did.” But Rachel’s father, it appears, Required that Jacob work for years. But Jacob’s plans could not be foiled; For seven years young Jacob toiled. He milked the cows and slopped the shoats, He did the chores and fed the goats; And thenhe said, ‘‘I understand I now have won your daughter's hand.” oe oid aad we aS Se Por aS al re le apa ee ANS Sata ny , > sy 74 39 40 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. That night the wedding songs were sung, That night the wedding bells were rung, That night the groom and trembling bride Stood hand in hand and side by side. | The bridal veil concealed her brow, They pledged the pledge and vowed the vow; And now imagine his surprise When first he looked down in her eyes! Saw not the eyes nor loving tears Of her for whom he’d worked for years; Saw not the one he'd hoped to wed, But in her place he saw instead, A weak-eyed, sore-eyed, aged girl, Perhaps without a single curl, No dimples; no, not e’en a trace Of beauty in her homely face. "T was Leah that young Jacob wed, ’T was Rachel that he wished instead; It seems that Jacob loved to trade, Hence he another contract made, To work another seven years, And in that contract it appears That Rachel then should be his bride, ; And on this contract he relied. THE. SPOTTED CALVES. And when these seven years had passed, He got the prize he sought at last; And Rachel now became the bride: Poor Leah had to stand aside. Now all these contracts had expired, And Jacob now a third time hired To Laban, and six years did stay; © Took all the spotted calves for pay. Hence Jacob studied all the laws To see if he could learn the cause That on the calves would put the spots, The rings and stripes and streaks and dots, Yes, Jacob did some funny tricks — He peeled the bark from off the sticks And put them in the troughs, I think To scare the cows that came to drink. The spotted calves came thick and fast, A gloom o’er Laban came at last; Hence Jacob felt that he had cause, To go and live where Esau was. Now Jacob had a dozen sons — And from the way the story runs, While he no doubt loved all the rest, I think he loved young Joseph best. ‘U, OF ILL. Lis. 41 42 SF ae ey ey oer em a ka ae oe nS a Ser } FORBIDDEN FRUIT. He made a coat for him to wear, Of many colors rich and rare, © Of red and blue and black and green, And every shade that’s found between. But Joseph used to dream some dreams, About his brothers, so it seems; Hence once when Joseph came in sight, They sold him to an Ishmaelite. And then they killed a little goat; And put the blood on Joseph’s coat; And they unto their father lied, About how Joseph must have died. But down in Egypt Joseph went, And many years by him were spent, Sometimes in prison walls of stone, Sometimes a ruler on the throne} Sometimes without a cent in hand, Sometimes had millions at command, Sometimes interpreter of dreams, Sometimes almost a god he seems, The King of Egypt dreamed a dream, In which he saw near by the stream Seven fat kine along the moor, And seven others very poor. s JOSEPH SOLD INTO EGYPT. ** And they unto their father lied, About how Joseph must have died,” = “ Paes e: yy —_ 7 Euan sys FORBIDDEN THINGS. 59 You may eat what lives in water, And has fins, as well as scales But when either one is wanting, - As in cat-fish, eels and whales, Then you'd better never eat them, Neither should you eat the fowls, Such as eagles, kites and vultures, Ravens, pelicans*and owls. Cuckoo, swan and stork and heron, Ossifrage as well as bat, You may eat the beetle locust, Grasshopper and things like that, But you must’nt eat a weasel, Tortoise, ferret, lizard, mouse, Snakes or moles or even monkeys, Should one be about the house. Now then while these children journeyed, There was always kept in sight Clouds to guide them in the day time, Fire to lead them in the night. And these Hebrews were obedient, Although sometimes they complained, When the cloud moved, they went forward, And by it they were restrained. FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Aaron and his sister Miriam Some hard things of Moses said, He displeased them when he’ married — He an Ethiopean wed. Miriam then became a leper, And as white as driven snow. Moses called on God to heal her, And in seven days ’twas so. Shortly Moses sent to Canaan Men, to go and spy the land, And report what they had witnessed, Let his people understand— If it flowed with milk and honey, As unte them he had said, Or was barren, poor and rocky, And a worthless place instead. And these spies brought back pomegranates, Figs and grapes and things like these, Which they’d gathered down in Canaun, Off the vines as well as trees. Sle Caleb thought they should possess ié, Joshua thought they should too, But the spies who went there with them, Seemed to hold a different view. SMITING THE ROCK. 61 And again the people murmured; And right here we understand God said, ‘‘ Those who have not hearkened, Shall not see the promised land.” / For the wrath of God was kindled, While he with his people plead— More than fourteen thousand perished And upon the ground lay dead. On the ground in front of Moses Lay the dead, both-far and near, And behind him stood the living, Who no doubt were filled with fear. There between the dead and living Aaron and Moses must have prayed — * Put some incense on a censer, And at once the plague was stayed. God at length spoke unto Moses, ° Told him he should take the rod, Call the people all together Let them see the power of God. And when they were thus collected, To the rocks he then should speak, God would show that he is mighty, And that man himself is weak. 2 FORBIDDEN * FRUIT. When the people came together To behold the power of God, Moses then, instead of speaking, Smote the rocks twice with the rod. Saying then, ‘‘ Must we bring water -Gushing forth from out these rocks, And thus satisfy the longing Of yourselves as well as flocks ?” Moses smote the rocks, and water Cool and fresh, came gushing out, Rippling down amongst the pebbles, Leaping over rocks no doubt, Laughing in the sparkling sunlight, From its rocky home released, Bringing mirth and joy and gladness Unto man, as well as beast. It is true that God commanded Aaron and Moses just to speak—- But the rock we're told was smitten Just as if their God was weak. And they said, ‘‘ Shall we bring water?” As they smote twice with the rod, Taking to themselves the honor Which alone belonged to God. o> in. a Pee rs hee ie 2 yy, 9 | LH CU ACU CE JACOB TENDING THE FLOCKS OF LABAN, “And Rachel now became his bride, Poor Leah had to stand aside,” 4 — a Te. ee ee: a Ws ~~ ’ ’ - . THE FIERY SERPENTS. Then there came some fiery serpents, When the Israelites complained, And the people oft were bitten While these serpents there remained. And methinks I almost see them, As upon the rocks they lay, Snapping at the Hebrew children Who came near them in their play. And I almost think I hear them As I see them creeping past, Saying to the Hebrew children, ‘‘We have come to you at last, ‘ They treated her as people should, And made her life a pleasant one. ® 99 10G FORBIDDEN FRUIT. This Captain was indeed distressed, Because the leprosy he had; But then this little maid possessed Some facts, which made the Captain glad. i In Israel she had heard them tell About a man who raised the dead — He likewise made the sick folks well — ‘‘ Please, Captain, go to him,” she said: And straightway then the Captain went, And to this prophet he appealed; And many presents to him sent In order that he might be healed. Elisha all these gifts declines, And says, ‘‘I will not take thy wealth: Go wash in Jordan seven times, And thou shalt be restored to health.” Gehazi said, ‘‘ I’d not decline Those gifts which Naaman tries to make— I wish that all of them were mine — I'll take them for somebody’s sake.” Now Naaman was made whole and clean, From leprosy he was made free; Upon Gehazi soon were seen Some spots of that same leprosy. s, THE SWIMMING AX. IOI On Jordan’s banks tall timber stands, And sways in every gentle breeze; One day Elisha, with some hands, Was cutting down these self-same trees, One ax was in the water dropped — The ax was borrowed from a friend — One man from labor now was stopped, One neighbor had no ax to lend. Elisha took a little limb, And in the water it was tossed; And soon the ax began to swim — The very ax that had been lost. I’ve shot the antelope, and buck, I’ve fished for salmon, and for shad; But then I never had such luck As my old friend, Elisha, had. Benhaded, King of Syria, went, And said he would this prophet take; But God some fiery chariots sent, And horses, for Elisha’s sake. It may have been the same old team With which Elijah once did ride, Whose light again on earth did beam, And shone along the mountain side. . 102 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Elisha died, was laid away; On earth no longer he was known; His body no doubt changed to clay — All that was left perhaps was bone. A man was dead, and stiff and cold— In fact, had yielded up the strife — Was buried —touched Elisha’s mold, And then returned again to life. The prophet Amos then was sent, Who told them of their sinful deeds; But still he said they could repent — And many times with them he pleads. ‘He told them of their sinful ways, How he unto them had been sent; And then unto his Father prays That of their sins, they will repent. The prophet Hosea did appear, Then Joel came and prophesied. And Zachariah half a year Ruled over Israel and died. And Shallum then ruled in his stead © For just one month, and he was killed; And then his place, when he was dead, By Menahem at last was filled. he tae ree ele ie THE PROPHET ISAIAH. And Menahem for ten years reigned, Then Pekahiah took his place; And Captain Pekah soon complained, And brought upon himself disgrace. By him the King at last was slain, And Pekah ruled when he was dead — For twenty years this King did reign, Then Hosea ruled in his stead. While unto Israel he did bring - Much sorrow, of which they complained; O’er Judah, Ahaz was made King; When he died, Hezekiah reigned. To please his God he, no doubt, strove, And for his people, no doubt, wept; He even did destroy the grove Where they the brazen serpent kept. At last when fourteen years had passed — Perhaps ’twas fourteen years of joy — Assyria’s King came up at last, And all the walled towns did destroy. Isaiah, then the prophet, spoke, And told them what they should endure: ‘*Learn to do well, and bear the yoke, Help both the widow and the poor.” 103 ee SE re eg been ae eae SOR lee een i iy a - - K PRR ee ‘ —- € A “y s 104 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. And further on we're told he said, When he had ceased to speak of woe: ‘‘Although their sins are scarlet red, They would be made as white as snow — ‘Tf they like crimson chanced to be, Like wool ,” he said, ‘‘they would appear; ” When from that mortgage they were free, The road to follow would be clear. Assyria’s King then made her boast, Jerusalem he would destroy — Yes, he would sacrifice a host, That he might realize this joy. Isaiah then some word did send To Hezekiah not to fear, If he on God would just depend, His way to victory was clear. The angel of the Lord appeared— To the Assyrians quickly flew, Because their God they had not feared More than one hundred thousand slew. Those who were left did quickly flee To Nineveh, so it is said — And in my mind I think I see The serpent, in amongst the dead. \ 7 iN \ \ \ \ \ \ ' \\\ \y THE DISCIPLES PLUCKING CORN ON THE SABBATH y. the oats. or the wheat ples of Jesus did eat isci “We're told the d The corn, the barle THE SERPENT — THE SAVIOUR. Methinks I hear the serpent hiss — And I ere long am filled with fears; I seldom see such:sights as this, When serpents lick the briny tears From eyes that now are closed in death, From cheeks so pale that once were red — Methinks they feel his icy breath, Although I know that they are dead. The serpent’s gray, cold leaden eyes Around him glances then did cast —= For he did not yet realize How soon the harvest would be past. About this time Isaiah said That one would come to us and plead, When he was risen from the dead, At God's right hand would intercede. And those who did on him believe, And follow in the paths he trod, Would his rich blessings soon receive, — And be near him at last with God. Isaiah no doubt did behold, While looking down through coming years, The beauties as they did unfold, Of him who soothes and calms our fears, IQk 106 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Behold our Saviour from afar, Long years before he came below— Perhaps he saw the self same Star, By which the shepherds once did know, That Jesus Christ had come to dwell, And live on earth with fallen man— For whom his heart no doubt did swel! As hearts of mortals never can. Unto Isaiah, Christ was shown; A Saviour, who would come to die, And bear our burdens, as his own, He saw with his prophetic eye. The power that did this fact reveal, Unto Isaiah— years ago— Some how, we can not help but feel, Can make our sins as white as snow— Can wash away the scarlet stains, Can comfort give, can calm our fears, Can sooth our sorrows, and our pains, Can wipe away our bitter tears. | PALE AV. At last when Hezekiah died, We're told Manasseh occupied The throne for five and fifty years, And worshipped idols, it appears. His son upon the altar died, By his own father crucified — Unto Moloch, the god of fire, The victim of a wicked sire. The heathen altars were rebuilt, And trimmed in purple, gold and gilt; And soon the worship was begun, Of stone, and wood, and moon, and sun. Manasseh died, so it appears, And Amon ruled for two short years; And then Josiah we behold — A child of only eight years old. (107) 108 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Ere nine short summers he had known, This child did occupy a throne; He loved the Lord, whom he obeyed, And daily unto him he prayed. Josiah on the Lord believed; A wound in battle he received. Unto Death’s angel he did yield — : Died as they bore him from the field. And now then, since Josiah. died, The people on his son relied; But in a foreign land alone, He died in prison, made of stone. Then Zedekiah took the throne, And ruled o’er Israel alone; The prophet Jeremiah came, And prophesied in God’s own name. He told of things that soon should be, Unless from sin they were made free; He cried so much his eyes were red — So much he had no tears to shed. The city, which they had enjoyed, He told them soon would be destroyed; And that, unless they did repent, This great affliction would be sent. Wap sea eH os ees nee ** Among the lions where the mud Was mixed with bones and human blood,” re ost Bet ae it ae DANIEL AND KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR. Nebuchadnezzar, it appears, Fought with the Jews eleven years; The city and the temple burned, Then unto Babylon returned. No doubt he made a grand parade, And many captives he displayed; Daniel and Shadrach, no doubt go With Meshach and Abednego. When they in Babylon arrived, Somehow the King for them contrived To have them fed on meat and wine — To always keep them fat and fine. Ere long they did refuse the meat The King had sent to them to eat; Likewise refused the wine so red — Used pulse and water in their stead. And each day fat and fatter grew, Their lips and cheeks a rosy hue, Their limbs and muscles plump and round, Their merry voices did resound. Nebuchadnezzar dreamed some dreams, And Daniel told him, so it seems, When unto him the King had sent, Exactly what the dreams had meant. 109 nee a ee ee FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Daniel was then put in command, And made a ruler o’er the land; Likewise, we're told, the other three, Were rulers in a less degree. These three were in a furnace cast, Because they would not bow at last, And worship idols made of gold, As by the King they had been told. Those fiery flames, made white with heat, Shot upward, as if they would meet The very clouds up in the sky, And did consume those standing by. The three young Jews were tied at last, And in this fiery furnace cast; The King perhaps that moment saw A thing that filled his soul with awe. Shadrach and Meshach, to and fro, Walked and talked with Abednego; When from the fire they had returned, Not e’en their hair was singed or burned. The fire appeared to do no harm — Perhaps it simply kept them warm; No smell of fire their garments bore, No injury to the clothes they wore. : THE KING’S DREAM. When God had thus his power displayed, His will at once the King obeyed, And lived in peace and perfect joy, A life, it seems, naught could annoy. A dream one night caused him alarm — It seemed to threaten him with harm — He saw a tree of wondrous size; Its top did reach beyond the skies. Its leaves with beauty were arrayed; The beasts did rest beneath the shade; Rich fruit upon its branches hung, And birds their sweetest carols sung. And then an angel did appear, And what it said filled him with fear; ‘Hew down this tree,” the angel cried: ‘‘Cut off the branches from its side— ‘« Shake all the leaves from off its boughs, Scatter the fruit, remove the cows That may be nipping at the grass, And bind the stumps with iron and brass.” The King unto the wise men sent To have them tell him what it meant; But this the wise men failed to do, For it was more than wise men knew. Soy Pe ie ee ee r ‘ : § ‘ : 112 FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Then unto Daniel he did send To know if he did comprehend The meaning of this dream he had, Which troubled him and made him sad. Then Daniel said, ‘‘ The tree, it’s true, Means no one else, my King, but you; Your greatness, like the tree’s broad boughs, Gives shelter to the birds and cows. ‘< Prosperity and power and fame Belong alike to your great name; You tower above mankind so high, Your greatness reaches to the sky, ‘‘But after while,” young Daniel said: ‘