Hebrew Heroes, A Tale Founded on Jewish History

anger met manfully, hardship endured cheerfully. Amongst wild rocks, heaped together like the fragments

the stony clefts, there the Hebrews lurked in caves, and manned the gigantic fastnesses which n

lived upon roots. The less hardy of the band suffered severely from the chill of the frosts, the keenness of the sharp mountain air, the sharp winds that blew over snow-clad heights. But no voice of complaint was heard. Frequent forays were made into the plains; idol-altars were thrown down, forts were burnt, detachments of Syrians cut off

t of triumph, "Will not Zarah rejoice?" was the thought which made victory more sweet; in preservation from imminent danger, the thought, "Zarah has been praying for me," made deliverance doubly welcome. When the evening star gleamed in the sky, its pure soft guiding orb seemed to Judas an emblem of Zarah; as he gazed on it, the warrior would indulge in delicious musings. This desperate warfare might not last for ever. If the Lord of Sabaoth should bless the arms of His servants; might not the time come when swords should be beaten into ploughshares, when children should play fearlessly in pastures which no oppressor's foot should tread, and the sound of bridal rejoicings be heard in the land of

e of Israel was dear, but more especially so by the Asmonean brethren, who

on soon gave way under their effects. The patriarch felt that his days, nay, that his hours, were nu

m. The aged pilgrim looked like one who feels indeed that he has God's rod and staff to lean on while he is passing through the valley of the shadow of death. The full glare of noonday was glowing on the world with

athan and Eleazar, kneeling, supported him in their arms; while their three brothers, in the

nces of this noble old man--a hero, and the father of heroes. I give them as they fell upon the ears o

herefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers. Call to r

as, Azarias, and Misael, by believing, were saved out of the flame. Daniel, for his innocence, was delivered from the mouth of the lion. And thus, consider ye, throughout all

h, and then stretching forth his wasted han

is a man of counsel; give ear unto him

nded, and this time laid on

ery name inspired him with vigour, "he hath been mighty and strong, even fro

be endowed. Johannan knew, and was content to acknowledge, that the wisdom of Simon and the military talents of Judas far exceeded his own; he would serve with them, and serve under them, cheerfully submissive to t

, and kept the faith to the end. Great lamentation was made throughout Judaea for him in whom the nation had

those sailing over the blue waters of the Mediterranean. The Asmonean prince placed this memorial there in honour of his parents and their five sons