Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-07-14
had some kind OF a vision and that


fore the altar.
Silently Abraham rose to his feet.
and as he did so his eyes fell upon
the little lamb which still lay bound
upon the altar. Quickly glancing up
at Isaac, and noting the questioning
look in his eyes as he too, saw the
lamb and the wood carefully laid for
the sacrifice. he said:
The Lord hath required better sac
rifcel"
And STOPPING down Abraham took the
knife which had slipped from his hand
earlier in the afternoon, and cutting
the thongs which bound the patient crea-
ture, rubbed its stiffened limbs, and then,
placing il on the ground, let it go.
Tomorrow morning, my son, we will
so TO the land sf Moriah, TO place
the Lord will show us, to offer up u
burnt Offering to the Lord there, said
Abraham, as they walked slowly home
ward.
Isaac understood not the full import
of his fathers words, but he felt the
deep fervor, and the intense pathos OF
his fathers voice, and as his father drew
him TO himself in tender embrace, his
heart stirred with a devout longing to
be in close fellowship and sympathy
with him in this new call to worship
and service. Returning his fathers
pressure, he said, earnestly:
"All that God hath said unto thee, do!
Thy God is my God! Let me worship
and serve Him with thee!"
Yea, that thou wilt, my son, for 1t
is the only way of blessing" responded
the father with a Cody fervor which
sought TO stife and still the agony Of
his breaking heart.
No other word was spoken, and the
young man as he walked by his fathers
side pondered deeply over all these
things. They found Sarah waiting i'm
patiently their coming in the tent door,
and TO her questions as TO what had de-
tanned him, Abraham returned reluct-
ant reply. A new conflict was raging
within his heart. Could he tell her
all? He had been so deeply absorbed
in Gods command and of lsaacs part
therein that he had not taken any
thought as to what explanation he
should make his wife, or how much he
should tell her of what God had said
TO him. She noted his evident confu-
sion and pressed him eagerly for an
swer.
But could he tell her? Could he tell
her? With great effort TO control his
feelings and hide from her the great
sacrifice which God had called upon him
TO make, he related TO her the incidents
Of the atNrnoon. telling her how God
had spoken to him and had called him
TO offer burnt offering upon a noun
tain in the land of Moriah. He told
her all, save that Isaac, their only be
gotten and well-beloved son, was the
offering which God required
Well" she exclaimed, somewhat i'm
patiently, when lie had concluded, 81
see nothing in this that should cause
you such confusion and reluctance in
the telling Of it. Should not God cal
you to worship Him in the land where
we sojourned so many years and where
Gods messengers renewed the promise
Ct the coming Of our son Isaac?'
She paused to take breath after hel
rapid speech. and then continued. little
realizing what her words meant
God has marvelously prospered us
the son of promise is with us to-day t
comfort our hearts. and fill all the fu
ture with the brightness OF hope, anC
should we withhold anything from Hin
of all that He has given us? Nay. e
.
thee. and let Isaac go with thee tina
he too may be one with thee in wor
ship"
Abraham bowed his head In assen
to his wifes words but spake not. anC
Isaac, who had listened to his moth
er's speech with sympathetic approval
turned and left the tent. saying Il
himself:
II will get things In readiness. tina
We may get started early in the morn
ing"
He sought out Eliezer. his counsel
lor in all plans. for the faithful serv
ant of his father had guarded an,
cared for him from the time he wa
old enough TO toddle out among tn
flocks and herds. He told him OF hi
fathers experience Of the afternoon
and Of the call to worship God on
mountain in the Land of Moriah an
then planned with him for the trip.
"Jerah. who came in but to-day.
a devout soul. and shall go with us
and I am minded to take the youn
man Aram. for he has often spoke
Of a desire to have part in our serv
ice OF sacrifice"
And the lamb?' questioned Eiezer
have you selected II TO take wit
you?"
IL was going to ask you to 20 wit
me and help me choose the likelies
one in the flock" eagerly rejoine
Isaac
And suiting the action 10 the words
he took the older man by the arm an
together they walked out into tn
beautiful moonlit night. and wen
hither and thither among the gentl
|, sheep seeking a goodly offering for tn
Lord.
And Abraham sitting silent an
alone before his tent looked out int