Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-08-04
N1istellaueuns &eadiug
ISAAC AND REBEKAH.

/ ISAAC AND REBEKAH.
1 That is beautiful story of Isaac and Re-
bekah as recorded in the Bible. Then the
other of Jacob serving seven years for his
hearts idol and being cheated by his
father-in-law Laban, at the end Of his
! long courtship, which, according to the
record, "seemed unto him but a few days."
I There is none of the marry in haste and
repent at leisure about that union. Where
| is the young man of this modern time
who will serve father-in-laW seven years
for his Rachel, and, after, having the old
er sister Huldah put off on him; will
plow, SOW and reap, milk the COWS and
! feed the hogs three years more for anoth-
er one? Talk about mother-in-law
Why, all the black deeds of all the the
mOthers-in-law of the present time do not
equal the outrage of Laban.
But to return to Isaac. There is some
thing peculiarly touching in his case.
His wooing by proxy was a risky vent
ure. Suppose the servant who was sent
on this errand had palmed himself off as
the principal in the transaction-thep party
of the first part you know; what might
have been the result? But this servant
was the oldest trusted servant of Abra-
hama man who "feared God'-whlch
was the assurance of his fidelity and that
the interest Of his young master was safe
in his care. He was neither Congrega-
tional, Methodist nor Baptist; but he
feared God, that was sufficient.
Isaac had got to be about 40 years OF
age and it was time for him to marry ;
though in our time of life with half the
bachelors it is time to die. But Isaac had
spent most of his time in the open air.
We don't learn that he drank poor whis-
KEY, or smoked and chewed tobacco. l
do not think he belonged to any club, or
that he ever saw a latch key. No, he went
to bed with the chickens and rose with
the sparrows. We hear Of his going out in
the field to mediate at "eventide," but
it could not have been much after sum
down, for he was able to see Rebekah
coming on a camel. Besides, this was
an extra occasion, when some variation
from the routine Of his usual quiet way Of
life might be tolerated.
Isaac was about to change the whole
course of his life, and most men in his sit
uaton would desire, or at least would do
we'll to mediate at eventide. He was
interested to know what kind of wo-
man the servant would bring him for a
wife. If he had seen the girls around
him, frizzed, banged and hustled, or ar
rayed in the denominations of modern
fashions, as sensible man he would have
made up his mind that if the proposed
Mrs. Isaac would come to him in that
way to send her right back to her respect
ed parents. But Rebekah was none such.
She was innocent, fair and modest, too;
for we learn that she took veil and COW
cred her face when about to meet her
| s.,
good thing recorded-1saac loved her land
was comforted after his mothers DEATH"
Isaac was wise in not marrying before
the death of his mother. Of all the bad
positions in which young wife can be
placed, that of being brought to the house
of her husbands parents is one OF the
worst. Isaac brought his wife into Sa-
rah's tent, but Sarah was no longer there,
else doubt if Mr.. and Mrs. Isaac could
have passed an hundred and twenty years
without some blot of family quarrel to
disfgure this otherwise clear record Of
connubial felicity.
And now young man, don't marry un-
til you can bring your Rebekah into your
own tent. No matter if your tent is made
of five-cent muslin; better that than to
begin life in palace with the old folks.
| do not know all that may be human
nature, but l have learned by experience
and observation, that female nature cam
not be kind to sons wife. / could cite
many cases in point; one where not tWen-
ty-fOur hours ago the young husband
died. The mother and sister, engrossed
in their own selfish sorrow, leave the girl
widow alone with her infant and her
deeper sorrow, as much stranger in "Sa-
rah's tent" as she would be if among en-
tire strangers.
The innuendoes, the insinuations, the
open accusations that-'if my son had
not married as he did-if he had not over
worked to support wife-if he had not
been neglected, he would have been liv-
ing to-day"
Such unjust remarks may be caused by
spleen or indigestion; but they wound
just as deeply all the same.
Isaac did not marry to crafty pas
sing fancy, but for a worthy purpose.
Sweet sixteen did not captivate him by
the arts of the modern drawing room.
Rebekah was working girl nota fashion
able doll. She was well fitted to be the
helpmate of an honest, Independent work
ing man. When Isaac took her to be his
wife he did not tie around his neck bum
die of weak nerves, artificial wants and
pampered caprices, or distorted anato.
my. No; he locked arms with physical.
and mental perfection, as near as that can
be found on earth, and 120 years of COM
fort and felicity followed as the natural
result.
Young man, study the life and charac-
ter of Isaac. Young woman initiate the
graces of Rebekah then both Of you go
and do likewise.