on to Egypt or to Babylon was inevitable, and he
favored Babylon, because the northern kingdom was much stronger than
the southern. The time of the activity of Jeremiah as a prophet was
about forty years, from the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah
until after the beginning of the captivity. When the people of Judah
were carried into captivity Jeremiah was allowed to remain behind. He
hoped that the little remnant of people which was left in the land by
the conquerors might be the seed of a new and better nation, but in
this he was bitterly disappointed. The governor of the colony was
assassinated, and Jeremiah was dragged off to Egypt by the frightened
people. It is said that the prophet met his death by stoning, at the
hands of his own countrymen. Jeremiah has been compared to Milton and
to Savonarola. His life was one of those which seem to fail in their
immediate purpose, but which have very great influence upon the
progress of humanity.)

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I

THE CALL OF JEREMIAH

(Jeremiah was not as eager as was Isaiah when God's call first came to
him. He was reluctant and slow to obey.)

The word of God came to him saying, "I have appointed thee a prophet
unto the nations."

Then said I, "Ah, Lord God, behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child."

But the Lord said unto me, "Say not, I am a child: for to whomsoever I
shall send thee thou shalt go, and whatsoever I shall command thee
thou shalt speak. Be not afraid because of them: for I am with thee to
deliver thee."

Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth; and the Lord
said unto me, "Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth: see, I have
this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up
and to break down, and to destroy and to overthrow; to build, and to
plant."

Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, "Jeremiah, what
seest thou?"

And I said, "I see a rod of an almond tree."

Then said the Lord unto me, "Thou hast well seen: for I watch over my
word to perform it."

And the word of the Lord came unto me the second time, saying, "What
seest thou?"

And I said, "I see a boiling caldron; and the face thereof is from the
north."

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[Illustration]
A STREET IN JERUSALEM, WITH THE HOUSES BUILT OVER THE STREET.
[End illustration]

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Then the Lord said unto me, "Out of the north evil shall break forth
upon all the inhabitants of the land. For, lo, I will call all the
families of