Esther: The Hebrew-Persian Queen - William Anderson Scott - Google Books

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CONTENTS.

PERSIA PAST AND PRESENT.

Interesting and important nature of Oriental literature-

Persian poets-Persia always coveted, from Alexan-

der's day to the present-His policy and sagacity—

Persian manners but little changed-Persian scribes

-Early legends-Iran and Elam-The Medes-Cyrus

the Great-Daniel's prophecies-Susiana of our day

-Beauty and fertility of the country-Musings.....................

THE MEGILLOTH ESTHER.

The Megilloth Esther and our Declaration of Indepen-

dence-Ahasuerus and Vashti-The divorce---The

new queen-The conspiracy of the eunuchs-Ha-

man's plot succeeds with the king-Mordecai's dis-

tress-Queen Esther interceding-Mordecai honored

-Haman's fall-The counter-decree-The feast of

THESE HEBREW RECORDS CREDIBLE.

The Book of Esther important for understanding subse-

quent history of the Jews-Its author, and credi-

bility The apocryphal books-Our sources are au-

thentic Ancient versions-Septuagint, Vulgate,

Targums, Talmud, Philo and Josephus-Contempo-

rary Greek writers-Inscriptions-Major Rawlinson. 59

POINTS TO BE PROVEN.

Esther a real historic personage-Whately's "historic

doubts "Contradictory statements do not disprove

personal history-General Jackson's battle of New

Orléans--Objections not conclusive-Dr. Johnson's

rule-Patriarchal stories-Trust in Providence--

God's agents are everywhere-God's plan is often

contrary to our expectations-The still small voice-

Sow the good seed............

SUSA AND HER KING.

The period of our history-Xerxes-Artaxerxes Longima-

nus is Ahasuerus-The proofs-Extent of his empire

-Shushan is Susa-The royal city described—Alex-

ander at Susa-The ruins-Tomb of Daniel-Reflec-

THE FEAST AND THE DIVORCE.

Ancient trade and luxury-The king's gardens-Persian

pomp-Xerxes' table-Dr. Russell's Aleppo-Occa-

sion of Ahasuerus' feast-The feast itself-Its splen-

dor and length-Women in the East-The king's

call for the queen-The queen's disobedience-King's

anger--The royal divorce-Scriptural rule-Law of

domestic happiness, is love" Stoop to conquer ”—

Guard against all excesses-Herod's rash oath-Hu-

man vanity-Wh our gardens should be...................................

ESTHER CHOSEN QUEEN.

The weakness of the man of "a thousand thrones "--The

more absolute the power, the more need of good

advice-The prime minister, Memucan, and his coun-

sel-The filling of the harem-Oriental seraglios-

Persian kings-Catharine of Russia-Hadassah in-

troduced-Her name changed to Esther-Knoller's

bridal procession-Esther's people not known-The

proper view of the case...........

CONTENTS.

xii

ESTHER CROWNED QUEEN.

A feast for the crowning as well as for the divorcing-

The Queen's pin-money-Mordecai's pious hopes-

Esther's rivals-The conspiracy against the king-

The eunuchs put to death according to law-The se-

clusion of the Harem-The model maid-Effects of a

good education-Esther's trials as an orphan girl-

The foundation laid for Mordecai's advancement

Wait hopefully your time-General Havelock-God

makes all his agents fulfill their place-Young women

may all gain a crown-Death is a spice bath for

THE JEW AND THE AMALEKITE.

The Agagite-Mordecai's refusal to worship him-His

firmness justified-His thoughts-The remonstrance

of his fellow servants-Danger of giving advice-

How Mordecai came to have such a character-The

mother moulds the man-The place of our Schools-

Christianity does not destroy civility-General Jack-

HAMAN'S REVENGEFUL PLOT.

Haman's murderous design-His lying but plausible ad-

dress-Excessive degree of his envy and scorn-A

very Nero--Demagogues always dangerous, and the

worst kind are fanatics-The Priests-Ten thousand

talents-Millionaires in olden times-American van-

ity a reproach-Officials should live as well as other

people-The murderous decree issued-Some par-

allels-The king and Haman drinking, but the city

of Shushan perplexed-Danger of despotism-Des-

potism of a mob the worst of all-The Vox Populi is

not always the Vox Dei-The value of our laws and

institutions-Dr. Thomas Scott on Christian obedi-

ence to the laws-Must never despair of the ark-

Persecution a part of a good man's heritage-Long-

fellow's grave.....................

MORDECAI IN SACKCLOTH.

What makes history-The Ocean Cable not a failure-

Esther's personal charms a means-The Jews wailing

-Mordecai in the streets and in the Synagogue-

His prayer-Reason why he does not speak to the

queen-Communications with the queen-His ur-

gency upon her majesty-His courage and faith-The

queen's heroic resolve

THE QUEEN INTERCEDING.

The maid now a heroine-The fasting and praying-The

golden sceptre-The queen's apartments described--

The queen's prayer-Prepares for the interview--The

king, his throne, and the queen's entrance--The queen

faints-The king leaps from his throne-The queen

saved-Piety in high life-and even under disadvan-

tages-The queen's extraordinary modesty and self-

command-Our lives are sometimes called for in the

discharge of duty-Duty is always ours-Efficacy of

prayer-Our advantages over the queen-The design

of affliction-The great resolve for the sinner.........................

THE BANQUET AND THE SLEEPLESS KING.

The "dejuner sans fourchettes"-Wine banquets-The

Queen's petition-Trusting and working-Examples

-God's restraint over wicked men-Haman's glory

and riches-His wife's advice-Extraordinary hight

of the gallows-The gallows-The King sleepless-

The chronicles-Antiquity of writing-Uses of his-

THE ROYAL HONORING.

Haman early this morning at Court-Mordecai's neglect
turns out well-Haman's disappointment-Horses in
royal processions crowned-Foreshadowings-Ha-
man's wife--Pride and envy make us wretched-We

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