In a letter written a few days ago, and which went by a vessel that
was to touch at Pelusium on its way to Carthage, I alluded to a
feeling (which has been increasing in strength for many months) that
prompted me to visit my brethren in bonds in Egypt. It is true, I have
no power. I am but one, and Mœris would, no doubt, gladly seize
upon me if he knew I was in his kingdom. I have, however, determined
to yield to the desire; and next month shall sail in a galley that
goes to Egypt for ebony and ivory. Not long, therefore, after you
receive this letter, which the scholarly Aaron will read to you, will
you embrace your younger and long-absent son. It is expedient that I
go unknown. I wish to observe the Hebrew people, without awakening
suspicion, as to who I am. Should Mœris hear of me, he would
quickly suspect me of planning evil against him. If I can do no more,
I can carry to the elders the certainty of the truth, as they received
it, by tradition, of One God, Lord of heaven and earth, Infinite in
holiness, and Almighty in power. From the holy Prince of Uz, I not
only received this, but many other things of wonderful interest--which
he seemed to know by the voice of God--concerning the creation of the
world in six days, and the formation of man and woman, whom he placed
in a garden of beauty, with dominion over all things. But I will not
go further into these divine and wonderful things, at this time, O my
mother, as I shall hereafter read to you, from the sacred leaves, the
narrative of the acts of creation, as they were written by the Prince
and Prophet of Uz: to whom, before all men, has been revealed the
truth of the Most High, and the mysteries which have been secret from
eternity. Lo! the pages of the book of his patience under God's trial
show, that no man on earth ever before had such illumination of divine
light! Such language as that of his which I have written in the book,
when he speaks of God, could only have been suggested by the
inspiration of the Almighty. He talks of God as if he had sat at His
feet, and daily beheld His glorious majesty, or heard His voice shake
the heavens. Of him have I learned the wisdom of the past; and there
whispers in my heart, O mother, a solemn voice, which bids me hope
that if I fear God, and walk uprightly, and seek His face, and trust
in Him, He will also draw nigh to me, unveil His glory, and speak face
to face with me, as He hath done to His holy servant, the Prince of
Uz! It shall be the aspiration of my heart, to be received into the
divine favor as He has been, and made the recipient of His will, and
of His laws for men! Censure me not,--charge me not with pride, O my
mother! In the spirit of meekness and lowliness do I cherish this hope
The path to the ear of God, and to His favor, the Prince of Uz hath
taught me, is prayer. On bended knees, therefore, seven times a day,
do I bow in supplication before the Holy One Almighty, the Lord God of
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