When the two witnesses came

When the two witnesses came before the king

and discovered that they had been watched by the royal attendants, they

confessed that they had murdered the victim, and in order to escape detection

they had resolved to place the corpse in the Ghetto.

“ Had I slept,” remarked the king. “ these

two murderers would have escaped, and they would have incited the mob to attack

the Jews and pillage their houses, and many innocent people would have been

cruelly massacred. But God, who is just and righteous, guards Israel. He never

slumbers, and He does not suffer His servants to sleep when mischief threatens

the iimocent. I am but an instrument in the hand of God, merely Ilia servant. I

rejoice that I have been chosen to mete out justice to the people in my

kingdom. In this spirit I understand the words of the psalmist : ‘ Behold, He

that guardeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep ’ ”

The Seven Sons

 There was once upon a time a king who had seven sons. They were named according to the days of the week on which they had been born. The eldest was called Sunday, the second son was named Monday, the third Tuesday, the fourth Wednesday, the fifth Thursday, the sixth Friday, and the youngest Saturday. In time the sons grew up, and were all good-looking, smart young men.

They were always good friends, as brothers should be. One day they agreed among themselves to go all together to their good father so as to ask him to permit them to leave his kingdom. They desired to travel abroad with a view of gaining experience and learn ng something worth knowing.

They came to the king and spoke of their wish. He iistened, and after a moment’s consideration began to say : “ This is a very good idea, dear boys! I quite approve your suggestion except with regard to one point. You all wish to travel. I do not care to let Saturday go with you, You naturally ask. Why ? I will tell you.

I might die, and if all oi you were out of

the kingdom there would be no one of my house to act as regent.” They persisted,

however, in asking him to allow all of them to go together. At last he allowed

himself to be persuaded. He blessed them and told them to keep in touch with

him, and under no circumstance should they quarrel among themselves.