Page:Ritual of the Order eastern star (1921).djvu/61

Rh Esther. Esther was a Jewish damsel living about five hundred years before the Christian era. The Jews were then held in captivity within the Persian empire. After the divorce of Queen Vashti, the king caused search to be made throughout the empire for the most beautiful woman, to be her successor. The choice fell upon Esther, who, amid national rejoicing and royal magnificence, became the queen of Persia.

The knowledge of her descent from the captive race was carefully concealed from the king and his court. In due time the enemies of the Jews, being powerful and numerous, persuaded the king to issue a royal edict commanding that upon a given day the entire Hebrew race should be destroyed.

Queen Esther, when informed of the cruel edict, resolved to risk the loss of royal favor and life itself, to save her people from death. It was a law of the palace that no one, not even the queen, should enter the king's presence unsummoned, under penalty of death, unless the king should extend the golden scepter as a signal of pardon.

Esther, attired in her queenly apparel, with heroic purpose, sought the presence of the king. It was the day of the grand