Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1901-12-12

and declares that II the teraphim b,
found, death shall be the penalty Il
the holder, for he has not the slight.
ess suspicion thai such judgment
might fall upon his beloved Rachel.
A thorough search follows. First
Jacob tent then Leah 5; then the
tents OF Zilpah anu Bilhah last Ra.
chel 5 tent but all TO no purpose, as
Rachel proves herself an adept in
concealInent and deception, and no
hint Of guilt is shown upon her ma
tronly, yet handsome face. Laban 5
guest has failed.
And now Jacob Is hot with anger.
He has been outraged by the charge,
ana doubly outraged by the search
Whereas, thou hast felt about all
my stun, what hast thou found of all
thy household stuff set it here be-
fore my brethern and thy brethren,
that they may Judge betwixt US twoi''
tie sharply rehearses the history OF
his twenty years. with Laban, ana
declares God hath seen mine af
tiicrion and the LABOR of my hands,
and rebuked these yesternight. I"
Laban is appeased. A heap of
stones is raised as a memorial and
witness, and Jacob calls it Mizpah,
or watchtower that shall deter each
from injuringthe other. Each makes
oath to the other a feast follows !:
Laban returns to Haran Jacob takes
up his march towards Canaan. The
angels of God meet him and give, en-
couragement they are always nearer
than we think, with loving ministries
in time of need.
RED AND sUPPLANTER.
Esau the red hunter, is not far
from Jacob route. He must be
reconciled, if still angry. So Jacob
sends messengers, with soft words,
TO tell my lord, that | may find
favor in thy sight. In due time
the messengers return, not comfort
ably assured by the outcome oftheir
mission; they only know that Esau
is approaching with 400 men, where
at Jacob is greatly afraid and dis
tressed. 1t verify seems that
Jacob 5 evil chickens are coming
home to roost. The shadow OF Meme
Sis is again falling upon him.
First, he plans like a wise General;
then he betakes himself to prayer
for divine direction, for he is in
great straits, and no human power
can certainly avail then he sends
princeiy presents, If possible To dis
cover Esau S purpose, if he is com
ing with evil intent; last, he sends
by night his whole family over the
brook Jabbok, while he remains
alone; his crucial time is at hand ::
for a while he needs solitude.
PRINCE OF GOD.
Jacob is passing an eventful night.
No one can suitably portray the long
and painful struggle that marks the
hours until daybreak. Out of the
discipline Of the past is to emerge a
new man. There has been much of
darkness, but now there shall come
light. God has been molding him
through all the years. II has re-
quired lifetime almost, but the re-
suit is certain The crisis is upon
him. Every fiber of his spiritual
nature is aflame by reason ofcontact
with the divine. The mean and sor-
did in him is being purified as by
fire. No longer shall he be though,
of as supplantcr henceforth he is a
Prince of God: his name shall no
more be Jacob, but Israel.
FACE TO FACE
The Eastern sky becomes brighter
with sunrise glow Jacob girds
himself and crosses the brook Jab-
box. From the ridge beyond he
sees the wide sweep from Jericho to
Mount Tabor. Below is the Jordan
Valley, 1anked by the plain and
palms of Jericho. 1t is the spring
time OF nature, but the harvest time
of life. with Jacob, who has at last
learned the utter futility of striving
against God in the effort TO have his
own way.
Yonder gleam the spears of Esau s
four hundred. Jacob arranges his
people tacsically: First, the hand
maid sand their children. Secondly.
Leah and her children. Thirdly.
Rachel and her children, Joseph
hindermost. " Then he goes TO the
front alone. If fatal blow shall be
struck, he will meet il in his own
person. He bows himself to the
ground seven times while approach
ing Esau.
Marvel Of marvels Esau runs 10
meet him; embraces him; again and
acrain k;scac him. tt,s.x- rpe.ssv. s,.r,as h.v.