The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-08-04

49, @tAN ~ ~
impatiently turning from II, he sought
to know Gods will. He recalled the
story his father had so often told him OF
Lots choice. or how his father had sub
mitted to a seeming injustice rather
than quarrel for his rights, and how
God had blessed him. He remembered
his fathers words, repeated over and
over again: The Lord hath spoken
good concerning thee and thy seed.
Only be patient, my son, and wait in
faith on Him. And then he recalled
the vision be had had while yet in Ger
ar, and how the Lord had spoken unto
him, saying:
Unto thee and unto thy seed, | will
give all these countries, and | will per
form the oath which | sware unto Abra
ham thy father; and | will make thy
seed to multiply as the stars of heaven,
and will give unto thy seed all these
countries; and in thy seed shall all the
nations Of the earth be blessed; be.
cause that Abraham obeyed My voice
and kept My charge, My command
ments, My statutes and My laws"
The fierce spirit within him smoldere1
and died away. In the face of Gods
promises, in the light of his fathers ex
ample, he could wait. He would not
right his W wrongs. He would wait on
God. And thus did faith again win the
victory, and preserve as a heritage tc
his seed the blessings promised of God
Quietly facing his followers, who wert
still burning for revenge, he said:
Let us restore the well, as Abraham
our father, left It."
my master" %interposed the chief
steward, pardon, | pray thee, my bold
ness; but Of what use will 1t be to redig
the well, seeing that the Philistines viii
surely come and rob thee of thy re.
ward?"
1--WE must leave that with God. Our
duty is to restore the well to its refresh,
ing ministry" Isaac replied with firm
but gentle voice.
The chief steward accepted the stu
alton with as good grace as possible,
and soon had the men busy removing
the dirt and rock with which the well
was choked. And while the work went
on Isaac turned back to meet the main
company of his people.
"Didst thou find water?" was the first
anxious inquiry of Rebekah.
I'VE have found the we'll which my
father dug, but 1t has been filled up and
we could get no water. But the men are
busy cleaning out the dirt and rock,
and there will be an abundance Of water
when the work is finished"
A relieved look came into the woman'a
face, and she said, with a sigh:
a wish we might remain here IN
peace. | am weary Of this wandering
1T is as God wills"
NAY, rather, 1t seems as the Philis.
tines will" was the impatient response.
Some OF them have this day been spy.
ing out u movements"
An anxious look came into the face
of Isaac, but HIS only reply was:
God has promised us the land, and
VIII make a place for us somewhere,
where we may live at peace"
Further conversation was inter.
rupted by arrival at the we'll, and the
work of pitching the tents and prepar-
ing for the night. Before dark enough
OF the dirt and rock had been removed
to obtain a scant supply of water.
and with the promise of an abundance
as soon as the work was completed in
the morning, the camp settled down
for the night, while the focks and
herds spread out over the valley and
browsed under the watchful eyes OF
the herdmen, Thus the night passed
uneventfully and the next day the
work en- the well was completed and
fio.ks and herds and people settled
down c~ontentedly in the spot, hoping
to be left in peaceful possession.
On the morning of the third day
Isaac was aroused by angry voices
and the sound OF violent conflict. He
caught the words:
THE water is ours"
Rushing from the tent he found his
herdmen engaged in ierc conflict
with some Philistine herdmen who
had come thither with their focks
and had taken possession of the we'll.
The struggle was sharp but short, the
Philistines being worsted in the fight,
and when Isaac came UP he found his
men preparing to drive the strangers
and their flocks away.
Nay, my sons" spoke up Isaac,
treat not thine enemies SO. Draw
water that their f1ocks may drink.
None shall come TO a well of Abraham
and turn thirsty away"
We'll. it's our water ~doggedly
mutlered the Philistines as they
watched their thirsty focks drink.
we will not suffer strife over its
possession" spoke up Isaac. Take 1t.
and the Lord reward thee according
to thy deserts"
And again that day found Isaac NOV
ing down the valley, where he again
digged a well and found water. And
there he rested in peace and content
ment until the Philistines, Jealous Of
his prosperity, again disputed with
his herdmen for the possession Of the
splendid well. And SO he removed
from thence and digged still another