The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-04-01

u ted to illuminatc
the life, and kindlc
new ideals and as
plrations, II soon fades and the darkness
of the old conditions prevails. Man re-
ceiyes more light only as he is obedient
and faithful to the light which he al
ready has.
To every soul, undoubtedly, there
comes sometime a CLEAN OF light,
vision-be 1t ever SO faint and vague
of something higher and better. To
cherish such light, such vision; to be
obedient to 1t; to struggle towards 1t,
means increasing light and better sell.
This is specially true In respect to
spiritual things.
II was so with Abel as the thought OF
God unfolded in his life and heart and
found expression at last in the more
excellent sacrifice" and perfect accept
ance with God. 1t was SO with Enoch,
who early saw the light and entered on
pilgrimage with God which finally ended
in Heaven. 1t was SO with Noah, who
heard God speak, and was obedient unto
His command and reaped the reward of
deliverance from the food. And 1t was
eminently so of Abraham who. In the
midst of an idolatrous people, with a
father and grandfather corrupted by the
heathenish Chaldean worship of the
hosts of heaven. caught a glimpse OF
God, and turned resolutely from the
false. to worship the true and living God.
And, dear reader. 1t may be so with you,
IL you, too, will be obedient to the Heav-
emily vision which God will give you.
and will seek earnestly to know Him,
whom to know Alright is life eternal.
or the first rs years of Abraham's life
then we have practically no knowl-
edge, but there can be no doubt
that the influences which pre-
vailed over his life were any
thing but helpful. The atmosphere of
his home was tinctured with heathen-
ism, for his father served other gods, and
in Ur of the Chaldees, where he prob
ably spent the first so or 60 years of his
life, every condition led away from the
knowledge and service of the true God.
But 1t is only reasonable to suppose
that in spite of Abraham's idolatrous
environment he maintained condition
of mind and heart and life which made 1t
possible for God to reveal Himself to him
and at last call him out to live the sep
arated life of faith and obedience to
Him. Sometime during the period Of
residence at Ur there had come the
clearer revelation of God and the inner
convictions which led to positive stand
against idolatry and its corrupting ten
denotes.
It may be, nay 1t is probable. that the
religious convictions of the young man
Abraham-for because of his long and
vigorous life he may be considered
young at even SO or 60 years Of age
would arouse opposition and persecu-
ton, and this suggests reasonable ex-
PLANTATION of the removal of Terah and
part of his family from Ur of the Chal-
dees to Haran.
AS we have said, Scripture tells Of
Abraham's call, but what Of his awaken
ening? What of the circumstances and
influences which led up to the call? May
we not reverently and earnestly search
between the lines and read more of the
life Of this great patriarch than Scrip
ture records?
Day has broken over the city Of Ur
Of the Chaldees, and people singly and
In groups are beginning to move through
the streets. Some are hurrying to the
shops which since the suns first waking
call have been open for trade. Others
are bending their steps towards the
great temple in the midst of the city,
where at the beginning Of the day they
| may pay their obligations to Mulita, the
great goddess Of fertility and birth.
Among the number of these worshipers
| Is observed young man of noble face
and splendid physique. His rich robes
and dignified bearing indicate that he be.
longs to family of some wealth and po-
sition, and as he proceeds on his way we
have opportunity of studying his face
The earnest, frank expression in the eyes
which look straight out before him
without fear or hesitancy; the broad
high brow suggestive Of mental vigoI
and breadth Of view; and the strong
firm lines about the mouth and CHR
which the heavy beard and mustache fai
to entirely hide. Indicate a strength and
depth of character much above the av
erage. But there Is something In thu
face and bearing of the man as h
strides forward which r. suggestive o.
special conviction and determination
The earnest, set expression Of the fac
speaks OF an inner conflict and ina
and positive decision, and the firm, un
faltering footsteps Indicate an eager
ness to meet and perform duty. hart
and unpleasant though II may be.
Az he enters the temple he is met b!
one in priestly robes who has evidentl,
been expecting his coming, and the,
two pass to IN inner apartment to
/ ~alhap