The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-08-12
Isaac and Rebekah.

That is beautiful story of Isaac and
Bebekah 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 buta few days."
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 older sister Huldah put off On him /;
will pIow, SOW and reap, milk the COWS
and feed the hogs three years more for
another one? Talk about mother in.law |!
Why, all the black deeds Of all the
mothers-in.law of the present time do not
equal the outrage cf Laban.
But to return to Isaac. There is some
thing peculiarly touching in his case.
His wooing by proxy was risky venture.
Suppose the servant who was sent on this
errand had palmed himself off as the
principal in the transaction-the party
of the first part you know; what might
have beenthe result? But this servant
was the oldest trusted sorvant ofAbraham
"a man who "feared God"-which was
the assurance of his fidelity and that the
interest of his young master was safe IN
his care. He was neither Congregational,
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 bis time in the open
air. We don't learn that he drank poor
whiskey, or smoke and chewed tobacco.
l do not think he belonged to any club, or
that he ever saw 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
sundown, for he was able to SEQ Rebekah
coming on 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 bis
situation would desire, or at least would
do we'll to mediate at eventide. Hc was
interested TO know what kind of q woman
the servant would bring him for a wife.
If he had seen the girls around him.
frizzcd, banged and bustled, or arrayed
in the denominations of modern fashions,
as a 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 respected pa
rents. But Rebckah was none such. She
was innocent, fair and modest, too; for
we learn that she took veil and covered
her face when about to meet her future
husband. Then there is another good
thing recorded-1saac loved her "and
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 offs family quarrel to
disGgure this otherwise clear record of
copnubial felicity.
And now young man, don't marry un-
til you can bring your Rebekah into your
own tent. No matter your tent is made
of fve.cent muslin; better that than to
begin life in place with the old folks.
do not know all that may be human
nature, but have learned by experience
and observation, that female nature can
not be kind to sons wife. I could cite
many cases in point; one where not
twenty 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
;':Sarah's tent" as she would be If among
entire strangers.
The innuendoes, the insinuations, the
open accusations that-"if my son had
not married as he did-if. be had not
overworked to support wife--if 10 had
not been neglected, he would have been
living to.day.E" - 60
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 passing
fancy, but for q worthy purpose, Sweet
sixteen did not captivate him by the arts
, of the modern drawing room. Rebekah
was a working girl-not fashionable
doll. She was we'll fitted to be the help
mate of an honest, independant working
man. When Isaac took her to be his
wife he did not tie around his neck q
bundle of weak. nerves, artificial wants
and pampered caprices, or a distorted
anatomy. No; he locked arms with
physical and mental perfection, as near
as that can be found on earth, and l2O
years of comfort 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.