Heroines of sacred history

Contents

Page.

Heroism of Jefthah's Daughter, 169

Preface

In this age of paper, when the world seems busy " making many books," and, when sailors logs, and prison calenders, are searched for some rare novelty, I turn over the well filled leaves of my bible, and sigh that its rich pastures are neglected to feed upon such empty husks. Within this wondrous book, is every kind of literary excellence. In poetry, its sublime and beautiful strains have remained unequalled. The delineation of character, historical, moral, and epistolary portions, are also unrivalled. To quote the words of a late and able writer upon this great book,* " when we explore the treasures of its pages, and seem for a moment to grasp the full measure of its wonders, and its knowledge, how is our admiration heightened !" The lover of sentiment, of touching incident, and of soulstirring narration, need not seek the shelves of

VI PREFACE.

romance to gratify his taste ; let him open these glowing pages, and he will here behold such .themes touched with a master hand. I have sketched a few of the most conspicuous female characters, pourtrayed in these divine writings, hoping to turn the attention of those, whose ignorance of their contents renders them distasteful, towards the many beauties which they contain. In order to render them more attractive, I have drawn with them, the costumes, scenery, and manners, of the several periods in which they lived. If this little book, shall lead one of its readers to the fountain from which it is taken, the author's purpose shall have been answered. E R s

New York October, 10th.

HEROISM OF MIRIAM.

" O my people ! what have I done to thee ? and wherein have I wearied thee ? Testify against me ! For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt ; and redeemed thee out of the house of servants ; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam." — Micah vi. 3, 4.

Many and vast were the temples and palaces which arose in the ancient city of Zoan in Egypt ; and among the most stately and gracefully proportioned was the palace of Pharoah, the King.

In a room of lofty dimensions plated and carved with gold, richly hung with embroidered stuffs, and filled with furniture of costly material, was the king of this renowed and fertile land. But not at ease was he among the regal trappings around him, nor cast he even one admiring glance at all this splendor. Walking restlessly about the apartment, he bent his brow, as if musing upon some subject which deeply annoyed him ; for cares and vexations will intrude even in a royal palace. In this apartment, besides the king were three persons ; near the door stood two aged women who cowered beneath their large dark mantles as if anxious to screen themselves from observation ; while at the window which opened upon a marble colonade was a man apparently absorbed in gazing upon the vast area of brick and marble which lay beneath him, filled with thousands of human beings, or, the glittering waters of the Nile which flowed beyond.

" Sesostris," said the king stopping abruptly before him, " why dost thou not counsel me in this matter? These Hebrew nurses whom thou seest at the door, have refused my command to put the male children to death. Must I stoop to embrue my hands with the blood of these pitiful crones ? What am 1 to do if they will not obey me ? If I suffer this Hebrew people to increase as they have of late we shall be overrun with them, and they will take possession of my country !"

" Nay, my brother and my king," replied Sesostris, " it were not best to permit them thus to multiply, as in case of war they will join the enemy, and we shall be conquered. Can they not be forced to intermarry with our people, so that in time we shall be one nation ?"

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"No, brother. They have other Gods, other laws, and keep themselves quite distinct. They also rely upon promises made by their God, as they say, to their fathers, that they shall one day be a great people — conquerors of Egypt mayhaps !"

" They live too easy, O king. Give them all the heavy labour of the land ; let them be worn and wearied, and their haughty spirit will be quelled, and by degrees they will die off."

" It shall be done," said the king. Then turning to the women he said, " And now ye false and deceitful old women, leave my presence ere I relent of my mercy towards you !" Silently and rapidly the ancient females withdrew.

Task masters were set over the children of Israel, and they were compelled to work hard from morning to night, ' in mortar, and in brick, and in all service of the field.' Their lives were rendered bitter by this cruel bondage ; but it answered not the purpose of their master, for, ' the more they were afflicted the more they multiplied and grew.' Determined to rid himself of this noxious race, Pharoah now issued a decree which brought anguish to every Hebrew bosom.

Thus ran the decree : ' Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river ; but every daughter ye may save alive.'

In a mud hut on the banks of the Nile dwelt a Hebrew and his wife ; Amram and Jochebed, both of the house of Levi. Here, in secrecy and bitter sorrow, was the unhappy wife delivered of a son. There was no joy in the house that a man child was born into the world, but groans of anguish burst from his parents hearts that he was doomed to a miserable death. No smiles heralded his coming ; tears fell upon his little face, and sighs broke forth from the bosoms around him. For three months Jochebed continued to conceal the boy. His merry laugh, which to other mothers would be rich music, brought a pang to her. She dreaded lest this sound should bring the murderers to the door, and hushed him into silence. Miriam, the daughter of Amram, although quite young was of great service to her mother, for she took charge of her other brother Aaron, and assisted to keep the infant quiet. "With a thoughtfulness beyond her years, she parried all intrusion even from their own kin, lest his existence through their means should become known. He could not however be always concealed, and his parents became aware they were suspected. He had been heard to weep one night by a passer by, and Jochebed was continually questioned regarding him. She was advised to obey the decree lest the whole family should be punished, but resolutely refused, until one day informed the officers, who put the decree in execution were asking about her. Then it became evident they must give up the child or suffer with him. After many a solemn conference together, this unhappy family came to the resolution of casting their child out upon the river.

At her father's bidding, Miriam brought from the river's side an armful of the reed Papyrus, which she tore off in strips, and wove into a stout basket. This her father covered with pitch which rendered it water tight. While they were thus engaged with their work, the unhappy Jochebed sat in a remote corner, pressing her boy to her heart, tears of bitterness streaming in torrents from her eyes. Unconscious of evil the child smiled in its mother's face, presenting by its joyousness a strange contrast to his sorrowing family. " Cheer thee Jochebed," said her husband as he bent over his work, " we shall not be utterly exterminated ; some one will be saved to go to the promised land, and why not our boy 1 Remember the words of our noble Joseph when on his death bed : ' God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land, which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob,' — in my calculation the time is not far off. I rely on his promises, and believe the days of our bondage are coming to an end."

Jochebed only answered by her tears.

" How know ye not," said the young Miriam, " that our darling boy is destined to be our leader and deliverer ? Shake not your head thus sadly, mother. Hath he not been wonderfully preserved while our neighbors' children have perished ? And if he yet be suffered to live, I shall believe it a miraculous manifestation of God in his favor."

" Alas, how may he escape ?" said the mother sorrowfully. " If the waves do not engulph him, he will starve, or be devoured by a crocodile."

" Nay dearest mother, I shall watch him too well. As the little ark floats down the stream, I shall follow it, and guard it, even if it float for days or months. Perhaps it may be wafted beyond the dominions of this wicked king, and then I will take it up and nourish it."

" Thou, Miriam ? How can so slight a girl as thou do this ? How wilt thou subsist ? Thy father is the proper person."

" Not so, mother, for if father is missed from his work the task-master will pursue him, discover the child, and we shall all perish. Trust the boy to me, mother, I will risk my life to save him."

" Blessings on my noble girl !" cried her father. " Thou hast inspired me, also, to hope our God will save the boy, for his faithful sister's sake, if not for ours."

The ark was finished. Miriam placed within a soft bed, and approached Jochebed to take the child. Sad was the parting then between the mother and her darling boy ; unable to see him go, she fled into an inner room, to vent her anguish in sobs and bitter groans. After a long, last kiss, Miriam and her father launched the frail bark upon the Nile.

" Farewell, father," said Miriam fondly ; " cheer up my mother, and tell her to trust in God, who, I feel assured, will yet rescue the boy from the hands of his enemies. Depend upon me. All that a tender, devoted sister can do, shall be done."

" Farewell, Miriam," said her father, while the tears fell down upon his beard, " I trust in the Lord and in thee ! May the God of Abraham protect thee and strengthen thee !"

Hour after hour the tiny vessel floated on ; the little occupant smiling and playing with his fingers, or amusing himself with the food which lay near him. Hour after hour his firm-hearted sister walked on beside it, under the blazing sun of Egypt, or sat 2 upon a bank when it became obstructed in its course, or was lodged in the bushes which lined the riverside. Heat and fatigue unheeded, her eyes and thoughts were fixed on her charge alone, or lifted in prayer to God for its safety. At mid-day the little barge was whirled among some rushes, in the outskirts of the city, where it became stationary. Miriam concealed herself behind a pile of bricks, and sat down to watch it. Frequently she drew it to the shore and fed the child. At length she drew it beneath the shade of some palm trees which grew upon the bank, and sat down near it. How did her heart beat at every approaching step ! dreading lest her charge should be observed before the shades of night should enable her once more to float it away from the city. But the hours passed on and no eye fell upon it. The Nile flowed slowly at her feet, its banks adorned by a fringe of papyrus, whose tall and slender stalks, bent to the summer breeze, or raised aloft the plume -like blossoms which crowned their heads. No sound disturbed the silence, except when the brilliant Flamingo stalked by her, flashing his scarlet and orange plumage to the sun, or the stately Ibis pursued its chase of the water serpents among the rushes.

A strong wind arose, and the waves were cast upon the shore. Miriam started with horror as she beheld a drowned infant thrown upon the sand ; one of her own nation sacrificed to Pharoah's cruelty. An instant passed, and, rushing through the blue lotus flowers, which floated on the stream, an enormous crocodile pounced upon the child ; opening its dreadful jaws, the innocent was soon engulphed in the horrid chasm, and the creature disappeared. Aroused by footsteps Miriam turned her head : a party of miserable Hebrews passed, half naked, and surrounded by overseers, and bending beneath a load of brick and straw.

The sound of music next attracted her attention : a religious procession was passing, and she gazed with disgust, as she observed the priests were leading in golden chains, the sacred crocodile ! The back of this hideous monster was richly painted and gilded, while bracelets of gold and of jewels adorned its shapeless legs. She watched him, as with his train he entered the temple. This superb edifice was surrounded by four noble porticoes, and was raised upon an elevated platform of marble steps. A long avenue of Sphinxes led to it, and before the edifice stood two obelisks of rose coloured granite, whose slender shafts seemed to reach the heavens, and whose sides were carved in raised hieroglyphics. The ceiling of this temple was painted blue, and studded with golden stars ; its sides richly carved, gilded, and painted. In the centre stood a tank for the service of the Sacred Crocodile, while on one side was a room, where, lying upon a costlycarpet, he was waited on, and adorned by people of the first rank in the city.

The sun was now sinking behind the hills of Ramases, when the sound of female voices met the ear of Miriam. She arose with alacrity and looked forth. " Now is my sweet brother safe," she said, "for surely no female bosom could devise aught evil against so lovely a babe."

The females approached, and by the richness of their apparel, and by their numerous attendants, were ladies of high rank. Above the rest, was one distinguished for the graceful and majestic form. She was beautiful, also, and the rich blood called forth by exercise cast a brilliant shade over her slightly bronzed skin. As she came nearer Miriam discovered it was the princess Themestris. Then the heart of this loving sister died within her. It was the daughter of Pharaoh, of their relentless oppressor, who approached, who, if the child were discovered would not probably dare resist her father's decree to save a Hebrew infant. Miriam looked around in despair, but the Princess was near and concealment for her charge was vain.

Her heart upon the rack, Miriam saw the Princess stand upon the rivers bank quite near trie rushes, among which was the basket containing her precious treasure. He was not observed and she breathed free ; but, weary and hungry, the babe just then awoke from slumber, and uttered a feeble cry.

" What noise is that ?" asked one of the ladies — and Miriam threw herself upon the ground in anguish.

" It was the cry of a crocodile," said another, " let us fly ere we be devoured."

" Silence !" cried the Princess.

The wail of an infant was distinctly heard.

" It is a child," said Themestris, " and now I discover a basket among yonder rushes. Bring it hither some of ye."

The attendants hastened to obey her, and the basket was soon laid at her feet. When opened, a babe of wondrous beauty lay within. It was weeping bitterly, and raised its little hand, imploringly at the curious faces which surrounded his cradle. The princess gazed at the child and tears streamed from her eyes over her beautiful face.

" Oh my father, this is thy cruel policy !" she cried. Then turning to her women, she said, " This is doubtless one of the Hebrew children, whose parents forced to throw it into the Nile, have thus sought to preserve it."

" Shall we throw it back again ?" asked one of the attendants.

" Throw it back again ! Have you the heart for such a thing !" exclaimed the Princess in indignation.

" It is no doubt preserved by the Gods for some especial purpose and I accept the charge. Osiris ! God of the Nile ! if thou hast sent this babe to me, behold I receive it and will rear it as my own."

Who shall describe the emotions which passed through the heart of Miriam during this scene. Tears of gratitude and joy burst from her eyes, and she knelt to thank that merciful God, who had saved her brother from destruction, and his parents from misery.

With a fortitude beyond her years, she left her hiding place and approached the group. Sauntering carelessly along, she paused as if gazing at them ; when one of the ladies pitying her childish curiosity called her gaily to them.

" Come hither child, and see the young crocodile we have caught."

" Miriam came forward uttering many expressions of admiration and wonder.

" And is my royal lady going to adopt the child ?" she asked dropping her eyes to conceal the emotion which she feared would betray her. " She is : for she is as benevolent as she is beautiful."

"Then, if she will listen to her handmaid, I know a Hebrew nurse who dwelleth near and who is very skilful. I will fetch her if the noble Princess please."

" It is well thought of girl ;" said Themestris. " If it be a Hebrew infant, a nurse of that nation were more fitting. Be quick, child, and see thou hast her here by the time I have finished bathing in yonder marble Bath." Miriam needed no spur but springing forward was soon on her way homeward. The basket had been many hours upon the river, on account of its frequent stoppages, but Miriam was at her home in a much shorter time. " mother, mother !" she cried, " did I not prophesy truly ; God hath saved our babe, he is as I predicted, destined to greatness, for the Princess hath taken him." Her sudden appearance and her unexpected good news, so overpowered her mother, that she almost fainted. Reviving soon, she was on her way to the spot ; joy enabling her to keep up with the bounding steps of Miriam. With a tolerable degree of fortitude Jochebed saluted the daughter of Pharaoh. " Take this child," said the charitable Princess — " nurse it for me, and let it want for nothing, for it is the adopted child of a Princess. Thou shalt be bountifully paid. Call him Moses, because he was drawn out the water. As Jochebed received her child again, her emotion overcame her, and she dropped her head upon that of the infant while a sudden palor overspread her face. Miriam ran to her ; and the Princess whispered, " Poor creature ! doubtless she has been forced to give her own child up to death. I hope this will awaken her affection and heal her wounded heart." The Princess and train returned to the Palace ; while Jochebed, supported by her heroic daughter, set out for her own now happy home. By what simple means did God bring his purpose to pass ! A tender girl and a charitable female, were apparently the preservers of this child ; but God had selected them as fitting agents. And this infant — who that looked upon him then, could imagine the mighty deeds he was destined to perform ? A great multitude was to be taken from a powerful and unwilling nation ; a countless army overthrown ; kings and nations swept from the land, to give place to his wandering host !

But I shall not touch upon the story of Moses except where Miriam is concerned. Who, after seeing the heroic conduct of the young Miriam, and her devotion to her brother in which she certainly risked her life, would imagine her capable of her after conduct ? Who could recognise the watcher by the Nile, in the rebel of the Desert of Zin '? In this one shade upon the character of Miriam, we may behold the taint of that indwelling sin, which is seen to shadow the fair fame of earth's wisest and best and which in after years required the great atoning sacrifice of our merciful Saviour.

Ambition seemed the form in which the tempter came to Miriam. We have seen her constant prediction to her mother, that Moses would be a great man; which prophesy displays the tenor of her thoughts and hopes. By this overweening ambition, she fell from her high estate. Let her fall warn us to look into our own bosoms, and remember. — "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked : who can know it ?" When the nurse of Moses was no longer needed, he was taken to the Princess, and soon raised to power. But he always clung to his nation, and refused to be called an Egyptian, or the son of Pharoah's daughter.

It is unnecessary to say any thing more of the succeeding events of the life of Moses ; or of the wondrous miracles wrought by him before Pharoah to induce him to let his people go ; as my readers are, or / hope they are, sufficiently acquainted with them. Pharoah was dead, and a new king arose, who fully appreciated the worth of the Hebrews as hewers of wood and drawers of water. It seemed for a time as if the miracles only irritated the king, and induced him to render the Hebrews bondage more bitter. Then was Miriam of great service to her countrymen, — confident in the promise of God, she inspired courage into their hearts by her unswerving faith. As a reward for her trust in him, God bestowed upon her the gift of Prophecy, and placed her beside her brothers, Moses, and Aaron, as leaders, instructors, and judges of the children of Israel.

The Hebrews departed, but were soon followed by the Egyptian army. Few were the hearts which then failed not, when they beheld themselves hemmed in between a raging foe, and a vast ocean ! A seditious murmur arose. " Were there no graves in Egypt !" they cried, " that we are brought hither to die ? It were better to serve Egyptians, than perish in the wilderness."

" Fear ye not !" said Moses. " Stand still ; see the salvation which God will now bring you. The Egyptians whom ye see this day, ye shall never see again ! The Lord will fight for you ! Hold your peace." Awed into silence, the people gazed up at Moses, who was standing upon a ledge of rocks above them. Moses stretched out his miraculous rod over the sea — there came a rushing wind — with a mighty roar the waters fell back on each side, and the Israelites beheld a dry path through the midst of the deep, rolling sea ! Directed by Moses the people passed over this wondrous pathway, looking fearfully up at the lofty wall of living emerald which arose on each side ; while far above was a fringe of white foam, as if the waves were strugo-lino- and

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chafing to dash themselves down to their natural depths, and overwhelm the intruders into their secret haunt.

The eastern shore was attained in safety, and the Israelites turned to look upon the sea, when lo ! like a crimson cord spanning the great ocean, the scarlet-clad hosts of Pharoah were already on their track. The foot of the foremost touched the shore, when, with a mighty crash the mass of waters fell, and the armies of Egypt were whelmed beneath the waves !

Filled with gratitude and triumph Moses broke forth in the following song, accompanyed by the exulting Miriam, and other women striking their timbrels :

moses and Miriam's song.

To Jehovah I will sing,

Who hath triumphed gloriously ,

Horse and rider conquering, He hath cast them in the sea.

My salvation is my song, By Jehovah rendered strong.

He is my God, I will praise him ;

My father's God, I will exalt him.

God is a man of war, Jehovah is his name ; Pharoah's chariots and his hosts He hath brought to fear and shame. His captains over ten

In the Red Sea found a grave ; To the depths his chosen men,

Like stones sank through the wave.

Thy right hand, O Jehovah !

Is glorious in its power ; Thy right hand, O Jehovah !

Made the sons of Egypt cower.

In thy excellency, Lord, Thou hast sent thy wrath abroad : And as stubble burned those, Who 'gainst thy glory rose.

Thy nostrils breath,

The waters heap ;

And fraught with death,

Uprose the deep !

The enemy said :

Their path I'll pursue, And the Israelite dead,

The desert shall strew.

I will draw forth my sword !

On the Hebrew abhorred My wrath shall be poured.

The east wind sped — Through the waves, their dead Fell sinking as lead.

Who is like unto thee

Among Gods, O our Lord !

Who is like unto thee ?

Thy name be adored.

Glorious in holiness ;

Radiant in splendors ; We, in our fearfumess,

Gaze on thy wonders.

At thy stretched out right hand, And thy mighty command, The earth swallowed their band !

Forth, by thy mercy, the ransomed are led ; And under thy wing for refuge have fled.

The people shall hear,

And tremble with fear,

And Philistia sorrow that Israel is near. 3

The great dukes of Edom will shrink at the tale ;

The mighty of Moab before us will quail ;

And the Canaanites race from the country shall fail.

Fear and dread shall on them fall — Still as stones then stand they all, While thy people shall pass over Thy purchased people, O Jehovah ! By them led on, we shall attain Our promised heritance — and gain The Holy Mount where thou wilt reign.

Jehovah shall rule and worshipped shall be, As surely as Pharoah was cast in the sea With his horses and chariots and warrior band, While the children of Israel past through on dry land.

Then shook Miriam her timbrel, and sang the chorus.

To Jehovah I will sing,

Who hath triumphed gloriously ;

Horse and rider conquering, He hath cast them in the sea !

Sadly turn we now to relate the fall Miriam. We have said she was ambitious — this ambition was fully gratified when she saw herself associated with her brothers, Aaron and Moses, as leaders and judges of the Israelites. She was reverenced by all, as a prophetess ; and enjoyed especial honor as the sister of

Moses. Zipporah, the wife of Moses, whom he had left in the land of Cush, with her father, Jethro, had lately arrived and joined her husband, and of course, obtained much of the people's good will as wife of their leader ; and Miriam stood not alone in their regard or in that of Moses. She, however, reigned without a rival when Moses judged the people ; for he needed help, and Aaron was engaged with his priestly duties. When the father of Zipporah arrived, he advised Moses to lighten his toil by dividing his people in tens, fifties, hundreds and thousands, and by appointing rulers over each band. Miriam then no longer saw herself a distinguished associate of her brothers, as her office was divided, and she became merely one of the many rulers. Forgetful she owed all to God, and that he might take away his gifts, Miriam looked upon Jethro and Zipporah as usurpers and rivals. Day and night she devised plans to overthrow their counsels. She endeavored to interest Aaron in her cause ; and, much attached to his sister, and of a gentle nature, he listened to her, and pitied her, when, perhaps, he would have done better to have reproved her harshly.

The Israelites were now in the wilderness of Zin, a large, level plain, surrounded by eminences which shot up their bare granite peaks to the heavens. The twelve tribes were encamped by threes on each side of this immense plain, having at each corner the standards erected. Judah bore upon his banner a Lion, while the other three bore the figures of the Ox, Eagle, and Man. In the centre arose the wondrous Tabernacle, glowing in purple, and blue, and scarlet, and gold embroidery. It stood within a large space, enclosed by a fence of linen curtains, suspended upon pillars of brass. Within this enclosure stood the brazen sea, and great altar of brass, and tables of marble. Miriam was sitting at the door of her tent, uttering complaints of Moses, in the ear of Aaron, and within hearing of many witnesses.

" Moses hath transgressed, seeing he hath married this Midian woman," said Miriam. " Who is she that all honor her thus as if there were no other women in the camp ? And who is her father that he deviseth mischief against me ?"

" I am sorry for thee, my sister, and will speak to Moses regarding thee ; for didst thou not save his life ?"