The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-05-03
Isaac and Rebecca.

isaac ana 6eCDGCCd'
Sorrow had sbrouded the heart of
Abraham. She who lad shared with
him the privatious aud tolls of a long
life of wandering over the fields aud
pastures, aud had been the solace and
eomlort of bis heart, had been laid care
fully away in Machpelah TO sleep amid
The ruins of a patriarchal age, until the
|eeming millions of her race should be
salled 10 the final Judgment. Abraham,
ho doubt, was deeply moved aud sad
leped at the death Of. Sarah. She, as
lis companion, enjoyed Nth him the
blessings of the first covenant made
nth mau- She was the great idol Of
iviue womauhood. She was the ao'h'
r, not only of the Hebrew people, but
If untold uafions, aud yet the mother OF
bnly one boy, for whom she had express
Jed the tenderest sympathy for her
heart, and with the eye of a dying pro-
phetess had looked forward to the full
$llment of the promises She had made
her last request, that Abraham should
beck wife for Isaac from his own peo-
bic and kindred.
fliezer, the faithful servant of Abra-
ham was chosen for the important work
Df wooiug aud Winning the bride; he
was better prepared to succeed in the
Undertaking than any other could have
been, as he had charge Of the entire es-
late, with full Inventory of all Abra-
ham, s riches, and was destined to wit
hess his last will an4 testament.
Abraham said unto his servant Ellie
Eer that ruled over his house, aud all!
that he had: "Put, 1 pray thee, thy
Band under my thigh, aud will make
lace swear by the God of heaven al
earth, that thou shalt not take a wife
|unto my son of the daughters Of the
Canauites, but thou shalt 60 to my
eountry, and my kindred, and take Il
wife unto my. son !" Then the solemn
oath was accordingly administered upon
Icopdition that the woman be willing 10
come. The servant took ten camels,
land as the journey was an impor ant
lone, selected the finest and best for the
bridal tour, aud he departed oud went
unto the city of Nahor. where he arrived
without the city at we'll of water, late
in the evening, and he halted his valu-
: able train Of camels and servants, aud
made shor, prayer: 20, Lord God Of
my master, Abraham remember NE III
|Emy mission, and fulfil this evening the
sIpromise Thou hast wadet, my master,
land shew unto Thy sersant the appo;nt-
sneDt Thou hast made for Thy servant,
4 Isaac, aud whereby | snail know that
F'Thou hast Showed kindness 10 rny mas
ter, Abraham" The last words OF de-
votion had just fallen from his lips,
when hebccca, the appoiuied cre, can.e
to the well 10 draw wafer. The d.in>ei
was said to be fair aud beautiful, vir-
gin who had ueysr been betrothcd to
any man Her beauty was simple and
natural, but Of the vcrs highest order OF
elegant style aud strong attraction. No
pearls, diamonds, flowing curls, or rich
drarery, do we fad mentioned in ihe
description of her beau'y-it con> ted
in womanly couutenance, aa.iab!e aud
lovely. pleasant words, and becomlus!y
4 modest actions.
The servant was pleased with Rebecea-
Her appeara &c seemed 70 inspire him.
and he ran to meet her at the we'll. and
said: Pray give NE little wa'er TO
drink from thy pitcher" TINS tamil
lar >alutaiiou OF Eiezer engaged her at
seution to his princely appearance at
the head of gorgeou, train, and she
hastily replied Drink, my lord. aud !
will run and draw water also for the
camels." While the damsel was wa
tering the camels, the u.an stood in
quiet meditation. revolving IN his ml"d
whether the damsel bcinre him might
be the object Of h,s mission; as .Abra-
ham had Doubtless been well info mrd
as to his kindred, aud had direc ed his
servant to visit Major first, Genesis
xii, 2O-24 and if the wooing should
b. unsuccessful, he should be relieved
from his oath. lie decided at ouce to
learn her name aid inquire after her
family. "Whose daughter art thpn.
tell me, pray thee = aud she answer
ed: Il am the daughter of Bethuel, OF
the family of Nshor." This was
enough. He pu. a golden earring
of half shekel weight upon her face,
and two bracelets for her hands Of ten
shekels--a fortune even at the present 1
day. Then he bowed his head and
made another prayer, saying: "Bles.ed
be the Lord God who bath shovu His
mercy tbs day to my master, Abraham,
by directing me to the house of my
masters bre,hern to obtain wife for
Isaac from his own house and kindred"
Rebecca, DOW much excited, ran and
told them of ber mothers house all that
had happened at the we'll. Laban, her
brother, listened with astouishment at
her hasty. bres,hless story. He saw the
rich jewels OF gold aud silver, with
which his sister had been newly orna-
neu.ed, and be ran out to the veil and
said: "Come in, thou blessed Of the
Lord, orr house is prepared to receive
you !; your .csmels snail have straw and
provender; you aud your men shall
have watef~to wash your feet, and meat