Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-09-01

3 F !. :: !: :: !: !: 5: !: !.
(NN INAANNW when - was ON
LTSl kvSO the point of speak
H1kSl M ing. or else there
&SNAIN r were too many
1sr,aIY about them and
b'MA I'D the excitement ana
confusion attend
art upon the celebration interfered
All day Long the wierd music had
sounded in his ears He had shared
in the feasting, he had watched the
dancing. and every now and then had
caught glimpse Of the fair daughter
of Beeri as she circled with the other
damsels about the great image but
the opportunity he wanted most elud'
ed him, as though IL would hold him
long in doubt and give him time %
Weigh the step he was about TO take.
Circumstances were kind to him in
that they were making IL hard for
him TO take the misstep.
AS he saw the people in ecstacy OF
their excitement shout the praises of
their gods and bring their offerings
and lay them at tbs feet OF the idol.
he had time to think and contrast ii
with the worship OF the true God OF
his fathers. The words Great is
the god of the Hittites." rang in hfs
ears-for priests and people chant.
ed and shouted the words over
and Ser again-aINl he had time TO
recall the words OF his father as he
had spoken Of the GOd-Jehovah. the
God OF heaven and earth. More than
once his heart had smote him. More
than once he had moved about I'M
easily trying 10 throw of the feeling
OF depression which came as a result
of conscious violation of the faith and
practices OF his own people. over
and over again he had been troubled
by the thought OF what his parents
would say. But his heart was rebelli-
Gus and impatient. He would not
listen to the voices speaking within.
He resolutely thrust aside the prompt
ings OF his better self and declared
that he could take the girl without
taking her gods. He could have her
and leave the heathenish practices of
her people behind But have her he
would All, how he quarreled with
himself that day How he stifed and
choked the better self into subsection.
Once while his host was standing
at his side and the people in frenzy
were throwing themselves about the
altar before the image. Beeri had ex-
claimed. enthusiastically:
is not that impressive?'
~ a
Beeri following up the point gained.
asked:
Have you anything TO compare
with IL in your worship"
To which he had replied: Nothing,
In a shame-faced sort OF way. and
thinking that after all the religion of
his fathers was too narrow and un-
yielding and simple.
And late in the afternoon Just as the
sun was setting the music had stopped
and hush had fallen upon the gath.
ering and then, obeying the example
OF the priests. all the people had
thrown themselves PROSTATE with
their faces towards the image He
had remained standing when he felt a
slight pressure on his arm and look
ing down beheld the form OF Judith
standing there and motioning him u
his knees.
Come, she whispered almost
sternly, do not let the wrath Of the
gods descend upon thee.H
And without stopping to think and
yielding to her pressure and example
he had bowed with the others. But
he did not care SO much, because his
thought was of her. and he felt con
tented because she was at his side
but when he arose to his feet she
had slipped away and was nowhere
TO be seen.
Moved by an Impulse to search hel
out if possible, Esau started forward
and almost ran into a party coming
in tie opposite direction.
Hello, | have been looking fol-
you" exclaimed the man.
Esau looked up and saw Elon stand
ing before him, and the two girls
Judith and Bashemath. near him.
And | was just startin out TO lool
for you, he replied, pointing 10 the
girls.
They looked up inquiringly, and Esal
continued
Where is Beeri? ! have been try
ing all day to get chance to talk will
him. But" he added. what did yol
want 10 see me for"
we leave tonight, aud wanted Z,
invite you to return home. VIII yo.
go?"
Thou art kind, indeed but | mus
be rcturnins 10 my own people in Ia
morning. Tor ere this fear they a
concern d over my long absence
A rcae e look came into the fac,
OF JudItn. and she whispered some
thing To her friend. while Esau an,
Elon continued in conversation
That night after Chief Elon and hi
followers had taken their depa' tire
t.sau found the opportunity 10 asl