Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

400* RELIGIOUS ERRORS OF MR. MAIIAN.1942. " Tho king ordered Shaphan to read a part of the contents, wliiclibeing done, he rent his robes, in dread of the heavy curses denouncedagainst a wicked generation. In the lieight of his affliction, he desiredthe secretary, with Ililkiah, and several priests who were present, to go tothe prophetess liuldah, the wife of Shallum, a man of eminence, and unitetheir endeavours to prevail upon her to make intercession with God forpardon toward himself and his subjects. He told them there was greatreason to apprehend that the vengeance of Heaven would fall upon thepresent generation as a punishment for the iniquity of their progenitors,and particularly their neglect and contempt of the laws of Moses; andthat, without obtaining a reconciliation, they should bedispersed over theface of the earth, and terminate their lives in misery.1943. '^ Ililkiah, with those who were appointed to accompany him,immediately repaired to the prophetess, and having related the cause ofthe king's affliction, and his earnest desire of her intercession with Heavenin behalf of him and his subjects, she bade them return him this answerThat the sentence already pronounced was not to be recalled on any supplicationor intercession whatever. That the people were to be banished fromtheir own country, and punished for their disobedience with the loss of allhuman comforts. That the judgment was irrevocable, for their obstinatelypersisting in their superstitious and idolatrous practices, notwithstanding somany warnings to a timely repentance, and the menacing predictions of theprophets, if they persevered in their abominations.1944. " This unchangeable decree was to show, by the event, that thereis a just and overruling Disposer of all things, and the predictions whichhe delivered by the means of the prophets will be infallibly verified, asthe certain indications of his whole will respecting mankind. The prophetessadded, ' Tell the king, however, that, in consideration of his ownpious and virtuous example, the judgment shall be avm-ted from the peopleduring his days ;but that the day of his death shall be the eve of theirfinal destruction.'1945. ''As soon as Josiah received this message from the prophetess, heimmediately despatched messengers to the several cities within his dominions,commanding all the priests and Levites, and men of all ages andconditions, to repair with the utmost speed to Jerusalem. These ordersbeing obeyed, and the people assembled, the king went to the temple,where, in the hearing of the whole multitude, he caused the laws of God,as contained in the books of Moses, to be distinctly read ; after which hebound himself and the people, with their universal consent, by a mostsolemn oath, strictly to observe every article contained in the sacred books,respecting the laws and religion established by Moses. This solemn oathwas followed by prayers and oblations for the divine blessing and protection.1946. '' The king strictly enjoined the high priest to take a particularaccount of the plate and vessel in the temple, and to cast out so many ofthem as they should find to have been dedicated by any of his ancestors toidolatrous services. Those that were found were reduced to dust, and inthat state thrown into the air. All the priests were likewise put to death,that were not of the flock of Aaron.1947. " Having effected this reformation in Jerusalem, Josiah made aprogress throughout his whole dominions, where he destroyed all the relicsof Jeroboam's superstition and idolatry, and burnt the bones of false prophets,upon the very altar which that impious king had set up. Of this