LITERARY HISTORY OF PARNELL S ' HERMIT.' 157 



the Shanias (sexton) of the synagogue came to meet 

 them, and notifying the members of his congregation of 

 the coming of two strangers, the best hotel of the place 

 was opened to them, and all vied in showing them attention 

 and honour. 



" In the morning, on parting with them, Elijah said, 

 ' May the Lord appoint over you but one president.^ 



" Jochanan could resist his curiosity no longer. ' Tell 

 me,' said he to Elijah, ^ tell me the meaning of all these 

 actions which I have witnessed. To those who have 

 treated us coldly thou hast uttered good wishes ; to those 

 who have been gracious to us thou hast made no suitable 

 return. Even though we must part, I pray thee explain 

 to me the meaning of thy acts.' 



" ' Listen,' said Elijah, ' and learn to trust in God, even 

 though thou canst not understand His ways. We first 

 entered the house of the poor man who treated us kindly. 

 Know that it had been decreed that on that very day his 

 wife should die. I prayed unto the Lord that the cow 

 might prove a redemption for her ; God granted my prayers, 

 and the woman was preserved unto her husband. The 

 rich man whom next we called up, treated us coldly, and 

 I repaired his wall. I repaired it without a new founda- 

 tion, without digging to the old one. Had he repaired it 

 himself, he would have dug and thus discovered a treasure 

 which lies there buried, but which is now for ever lost to 

 him. To the members of the synagogue who were inhos- 

 pitable, I said, ' May you all be presidents,' and where 

 many rule there can be no peace ; but to the others I said, 

 * May you have but one president ; ' with one leader no 

 misunderstanding may arise. Now, if thou seest the 

 wicked prospering, be not envious ; if thou seest the 

 righteous in poverty and trouble, be not provoked or 

 doubtful of God's justice. The Lord is righteous. His 



