The Tupelo journal., 1905-03-31

strides forward which is suggestive Of
special conviction and determination.
The earnest. set expression Of the face
speaks of an inner conflict and final
and positive decision, and the firm, I'M
faltering footsteps indicate an eager
ness to meet and perform a duty, hard
and unpleasant though 1t may be.
AS he enters the temple he is met by
n in priestly robes h has evidently
been expecting his coming, and they
two pass to an inner apartment to-
gether.
We'll, Abraham, | see by thy face that
thou hast come to a decision. What say
est thou?" spoke up the priest, in old,
harsh tones, for at a glance he had lead
the others answer, and knew that it wos
contrary to that for which he had
hoped.
For some few minutes the young man
stood in silence, but as the priest studied
his face with searching glance he failed
to detect the slightest tremor OF indie
cision or fear. On the other hand, he
became conscious of a certain power and
strength in his calm reserve, and knew
that he waited to speak not because OF
uncertainty Of conviction or dread of
displeasure, but rather because OF the
depth of his conviclio2S and strength
of his purpose.
Under the tutelage of the priests,
Abraham had been trained in all the
learning Of the east, and While his father
Terah had never so declared. it was
with the secret longing that he would
enter the priesthood for which he
seemed so eminenrly fitted, and the
priests of the temple had entertained
the same hope. But the years had come
and gone and 10 inclination towards the
priesthood was manifested in the
contrary a certain reserve towards the
religion of the C~haldeans which had
been-noticeable as a youth had groWI
with the years, and while he had glvel
no outward sig2 by word or deed that he
held views contrary to the common be-
lief, still it was apparent that there were
deeper currents to lis life and thoughts
than that reached by the Chaldean
faith.
The day before, the priest had had a
long interview with Abraham and had
urged him to enter the priesthood, and
the young man had promised to give his
answer in the morning, 4 after a long
night of struggle he had come to make
his decision known. He knew that to
choose the priesthood meant power and
influence and luxurious ease; it meant
increased favor with the king. Urukh,
who had devoted his energies and treas
ure to the building of the great temple.
and it would assure the ~permanency and
position Ofhis family. But in spite OF the
influences of his surroundings and
training. he could not remember the
time when he had not thought of a one
God instead of the many, and if one God,
| then the serving of many false gods
could not be right. Faithful to this dim,
uncertain light. and unwilling to yield
until his doubts as to the Chaldean faith
had been satisfied, he had thus lived,
maintaining a hic1 standard of virtue in
his own life, and seeking to encourage
such in others. Such was the state of his
mind and heart when the priest had
spoken to him, and great was the temp
tation to end the struggle of years and
enter the pathway of ease and power.
But the inherent sincerity of his nature
and his deep-rCoted desire to know and
obey the truth kept him turned stead
Easily towards the faint glimmer Of
light which had come to mis- heart. and
after the long vigils OF the night he
I..1 Jor,laI 4lo r,,nrt ION anna ooA
for all, AID with the decision had
come a peace OF mind and strength
of will and purpose which e chad not
known before, and which he could not
himself understand CT explain. All he
knew was that he had settled. finally
and positively, that he would not enter
the Chaldean priesthood, and that he
would still search for and seek to know
the one God of heaven and earth. And
as Abraham stood before the gorgeously
robed priest that morning an inner thrill
and glow made him feel that the answer
he wGs to give was the right one.
Thou wouldst not have me serve in u
place where, my heart could not enter.
and where my convictions would not
yield earnest and honest endeavor," the
young man said, in firm, clear voice, and
with measured accent, as though weigh
ing each word before it left his mouth.
Il must be true to the highest hopes and
desires of my heart. | cannot tell you
why, but | cannot help the conviction
that the gods we worship are but the
creation of mans own thought and that
beyond and over all there is a one God
with whom we have to do"
AS Abraham spoke he looked steadily
and earnestly into the face of the priest
and. noting the deepening frown and
the stern lines of displeasure, he knew
that bitter opposition and trial and per-
secution awaited him.
"Krowest thou what thy words and
thy decision may cost thee?" fiercely
asked the disappointed priest. What
think you the king will say when he
hears that you have set yourself up
against his temple and his gods?"
Then in a pleading, persuasive tone,
for he admired the splendid young man,
and coveted him as a companion and
associate in the temple service, he
said:
Come, Abraham. reconsider thy de-
cision. will give thee until to-morrow's
sun to answer before word shall be taken
the king, and his displeasure descend
upon thee"
And without giving the Young man the