The Tupelo journal., 1905-10-20

- &IAAN /, familiar scene, he
f11 continued, enthu-
XIV s~iastically: "And
it was right here, in this hollow rock,
that l made my bed. My, how good
that hard rock seemed, after the hot,
weary journey of the day"
And is this where God met you
and talked with your" asked Rachel,
soberly, looking about her with quick
place." she exclaimed, fervidly, after
a thoughtful pause, and then added, as
she placed her hand lovingly within
his own: Tell me the story of thy
vision again"
CAS- | did years ago when we watered
thy fathers sheep at the well?" he
asked, with a smile, and as the flood
of tender memories swept over him he
drew her close to his side and told
again the story of the night spent
there SO long before.
They had that day reached the
memorable spot, and having pitched
their tents on the grassy slopes to one
SlQC, anu GS Tic sui udu SCI iii llC
cool and quiet of the evening hour
gave them rest from their labors, ia
cob and Rachel had walked out to-
gether, and, drawn by an Irresistible
impulse, Jacob had sought out the
place where nearly 80 years before he
had passed the night alone. Memory
was quickened by each familiar object,
and with glowing heart and thrilling
voice he rehearsed each detail of that
nights experience, while Rachel lis
tened with breathless interest. She
recalled how, when she had first heard
the story from Jacobs lips as she rested
on the we'll curblng, there had crept
into her heart a ems of awe, and
dread of the great God, and she had
wondered how she would feel were she
to meet Him as Jacob had. 1t was her
first serious thought of the true God.
With superstitious reverence she had
bowed before her fathers gods, but
here was a God high over all, invisible,
. yet speaking and with hosts of angels
to do His bidding, and that first dim
ray of light had slowly grown with
the years, and as she stood in that
sacred spot it seemed to her she could
almost seesthe angels and hear the voice
of God as He had talked with Jacob.
A new realization and appreciation of
God stirred her heart. The old super
stitious dread was gone, and in its
place there glowed a love and desire
for the true God which she had not
known or felt before. Looking VI with
the light of the new faith shining in
her eyes, she exclaimed, f~ervidly:
ooh, Jacob, how glad | am that I
left the images behind. / wonder now
at the struggle which it cost to give
them up, but oh, how much more God
has given in their place."
"Yea, l have found it SO, too, my
love"
His wife's words struck a responsive
chord in his own heart, for there had
swept over him like a flood the mem
DRY of how, through the years as he
had given up his own will and purpose
and desires, God had given him more
and more of His presence and bless
ing. They were enjoying a common
experience, and it drew their hearts
together in a new and deeper bond of
sympathy.
CAS- I have heard you speak Of the
God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac.
and of thy God.' she continued. earn
estly, II have thought of Him as only
belonging to them and to thee, but
now | can say that the God of Abra-
ham and of Isaac and of Jacob is my
God, and | am so happy"
Jacob leaned over and tenderly
kissed her upturned face, and his arm
which encircled her waist pressed her
more closely to him, but in that sacred
moment he spoke not a word. They
understood. Heart spoke to heart in
its own expressive language, which
needs no Interpretation and knows no
lack. The return to Bethel had
brought new and rich and full expe-
rience into their lives, and as the
shadows deepened they stood there in
silence, enjoying the sacred influences
of that hour.
my love-" Jacob said, at last, half
playfulIy, "wouldest thou linger here
all night, thinking to see the vision of
the ladder and the angels?"
NAY" she said, softly, as they
turned and walked slowly towards
their tents; there has been vision of
God in my heart this night, which is
better. Surely the house of God hath
been filled with His presence" n
.Yea," responded Jacob as the dark
outlines of the tents came into view
and the hum of voices and the bleat-
ing and lowing of the sheep and cat
tie broke upon their ears. "and let
us share with the rest the blessing
which we have received. Tomorrow
we will build an altar to our God. and
offer sacrifices for all the people.
Thus shall Bethel be for all most
truly the house Of God. and the gate
Of Heaven
The next morning, as Jacob was
gathering the stones with the help Of
his sons for the building Of the altar,
he told them the story Of his vision
there and Of Gods word to him.
and this stone" he explained, az
they placed it on top Of the rude pile.