and one of them, Harbonah, faid, "Behold the Gallows fifty Cubits high " Haman hath fet it up for Mordecai, and it stands in the Court-yard of Haman. The King, instantly replied: Hang Haman thereon " The History informs us, that on the Gallows prepared for Mordecai they hanged Haman, and that the King's wrath was by this means pacified. The Method Mordecai took to make known the cruel defign and Plot of Haman, is highly curious and interefting; he cloathed himfelf in Sack-cloth and Afhes, and placed himself before the Palace-gate leading to the Queen's Appartment; Efther feeing him from the Windows, fent haftily to know the caufe. Mordecai fent her Majefty word of Haman's intentions, and the Edit already iffued out from the King: he earnefly preffes her to go to Him and prevent its murderous Execution, the Queen names her great difficulty, and the danger fhe fhould run but is over-perfuaded by the Arguments and the entreatry of her Uncle, one ftrong reafon among many others exceedingly ftruck her.. She might have been raised to the Throne, even for this very purpose of saving her people. 2 It was the established Law of Perfia to admit no one whatever into the Prefence-Chamber with. out a fùmmons, and leave firft obtained, the King ufually fat en-throned gorgeoufly arrayed a Golden Sceptre always by him, encompaffed with a body-guard armed each with a hatchet, to execute the 'commands of the Sovereign and butcher every one who fhould enter without Orders, unfels the Golden Sceptre was held out to fave him. Hence arofe the diftrefs and dan ger of the Queen, but her own, native Sweetnefs, duty to her Uncle, and moft of all affection for her People, overcame her own personal Safety and alarm. She now enjoins upon herself and all her Maidens, a three days faft and folemn Prayers to God, and at the end of them, arrayed in her moft fplendid Attire, fhe intruded into the prefenceChamber and moft fubmiffively approached the Throne. Her heart here began to fail her; the King strangely agitated, his wonder and furprise alarmed her the more, the Queen fainted away, and is upheld wholly by her two Maidens, the King was ftruck with grief and terror. He defcends from his Throne, full of Tenderness Pity and wonder; He keeps waving over her his Golden Sceptre, the token of fafety and protection, most kindly He fooths, and careffes her, fpent in devout as as foon as the Queen had recovered, fhe gratefully thanks his Majefty, and folicits the honour of his company to the Banquet fhe had prepared, when the invitation was accepted, it almoft always followed that the request there made, was fuccefsfully granted. These are the striking Anecdotes of this inftructive and entertaining Hiftory. Mordecai was advanced to the highest honours, he was in Rule and Authority the second in the Kingdom; he promoted all his Kindred to Pofts of Dignity and Emolument, and his Country-men were wealthy, and profperous. We learn from the Hiftory alfo, the Means Efther made use of to procure fo much good to her Nation. Zeal and piety, devout approaches to God by fafting and prayer, and an anual Commemoration of fo happy an Event, a grateful offering of Praise and thanksgiving, by all the Jews throughout every City. The over-ruling Providence of God is fignally displayed, and the fure and certain means of acquiring his Favour. In a Synagogue of the Jews at Amadam in Perfia, are still fhewn the Tombs of Mordecai and Efther. |