338

get their great and wonderful dec-
liverance. This yearly feast the
Jews called the feast of Purim.
They were right to keep this day in
remembrance. When God sends us
any great mercy, when He delivers
us from danger, or death, or trouble,
then we too ought to remember His
goodness to us; and every time the
day returns, we should thank Him
for His mercies, and say as David
did, “ Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits; who
redeemeth thy life from destruction ;
who crowneth thee with loving-
kindness and tender mercies.”
Psalm ciii. 2, 4.

We read very little more in the
Bible about Mordecai and Esther.
Mordecai became a very great man,
and was much honored and loved
by the king. He had great riches,
and great power; and he made the
best use of all he had; he tried to
do good with it. This is the right
use to make of money and power.

We should not be selfish, and think

 

THE JEWS DELIVERED.

only of ourselves; but remember, ag
Mordecai did, to be kind to others,
and to try to do them good. St,
Paul says, “Charge them that are
rich, that they do good, that they _
be rich in good works, ready to dis-
tribute.” 1 Timothy vi. 17,18. Ha-
man had tried very hard to destroy
Mordecai; but now Haman was
dead, and all his sons were dead, and
Mordecai was living in happiness,
and honor, and safety. Why was
this? Because Mordecai trusted in
God. God never forsakes those who
trust in Him. They may be in gor-
row for a little time, but deliverance
will come at last. “Mark the per-
fect man, and behold the upright,
for the end of that man is peace.
The salvation of the righteous is
of the Lord; He is their strength in
the time of trouble. The Lord shall
help them, and deliver them; He
shall deliver them from the wicked,
and save them, because they trust
in Him. Psalm xxxvii. 37, 39, 40.

 

COXXIV.

PZRA'S PRAYER.

aii have not read about the

long time. What were
they doing? Soon after
the deliverance of Mor-
decai, while Ahasuerugs was still
reigning in Persia, many more of
the captives went from Babylon to
their own home in Canaan. One
of these Jews was named Ezra. He
was a Leyite, a priest, and a scribe

 

Jews in Jerusalem for a

or writer of God’s law. Ezra was 4
very learned man; and, what is
better, he was a very good man too;
he loved and served God. When
the king gave him leave to go to
Jerusalem, he felt very glad; for he
wished to see his beloved country |
again, and to teach his people there
the holy law of God, which he knew
and loved so well. Ahasuerus was
very kind to Ezra, and the other