The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-06-24

~ ~ from the tent door.
That evening as
darkness fell he had yielded to an ir-
resistible impulse, and crept close to
Abraham's tent, wondering the while
whether they knew he had returned
and had been present at the feast. But
as Sarah poured her complaint into
Abraham's ear he soon learned that
she did know.
Mother" exclaimed the boy, after
he had told her all, why is it that we
have to suffer so? is there no place
for me? Does not God carer"
"Oh, my son!" moaned the mother,
at is all deep mystery to me!
understand 1t not. save that in thy
birth was not realized the promise of
God to Abraham. And when Isaac
was born to the aged Sarah then all
thought concerning thee was changed
And while they talked thus together
and CROPPED for the light, Abraham
struggled alone In the darkness before
Gods altar. 1t was conflict between
affection and faith, between the nat
ural and the spiritual, for Ishmael, the
son born after the flesh. could have no
place or part In Gods plans for Isaac,
the son of promise. And God said unto
Abraham:
LET 1t not be grievous in thy sight
because of the lad, and because Of thy
bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath
said unto thee, hearken unto her
voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be
called: And also Of the son of the
bondwoman will make nation, be-
cause he is thy seed"
God asks us to do the hard thing
sometimes, that out Of 1t blessing may
come. It was so with Abraham, and in
obedience and faith he followed the
pathway pointed out by God.
Sarah noted the air Of quiet decision
with which Abraham entered the tent,
and her quick intuition told her what
his answer would be to her demand.
Reaching out her hand and placing 1t
lovingly upon her boy as he lay sleep
ing by her side, she closed her eyes
contentedly, and went to sleep.
But In the tent of the other woman
no sleep came to close her eyes, and
as she sat and watched by the side Of
her boy, who had dropped of to sleep
overcome by the WEAKNESS and excite
ment of the day, her mind ran back
over the years to the time when the
angel had spoken to her in the wilder
ness after she had fed from her mis-
tress, assuring her that the Lord
would multiply her seed. AS the years
had come and gone since then she had
quite forgotten the details of the
angels message, but tonight with the
vividness as though It were but yes
terday she recalled his words:
HE will be a wild man; his hand
will be against every man, and every
mans hand against him; and he shall
dwell to the east of all, his brethren"
At the time they had meant little to
her, but tonight, with the words Of
Sarah beating relentessly upon her
heartstrings. they came with new
light and meaning. AS the night
dragged out It's weary length, the con-
viction grew upon her that she must
60, and as the first early streaks Of
dawn told of returning day she arose
and busted herself with her prepare
tions. Then awakening her son and
bidding him rise, she said. with a
calmness and decision which surprised
even herself:
Come, my son, let us be going"
"Going, mother? Where?" STAN
mered the astonished boy, and then re-
calling the incidents of the night be-
fore, he quickly added: ooh. mother,
has Abraham told us to go?"
Footsteps sounded on the outside of
the tent and before the mother could
reply the voice OF Abraham was heard
calling, tenderly:
''Ishmael, my soni Ishmael!"
Hagar stepped to the tent door and
calmly faced the perturbed Abraham.
who had not expected to- find anyone
awake. and while he was struggling to
speak some word out Of his full and
overburdened heart. she quietly said:
I'VE are ready to co."
Mechanically Abraham held out the
bread and the bottle Of water which
he had brought with him, and placed
them upon her shoulder. He was too
overcome by establishment to question:
who told your" He wondered II an
angel had spoken to her asd thus made
his 'heartbreaking task easier.
The Lord this night hath spoken
good concerning the lad" at last he
managed to say, a. Hagar and Ishmael
turned to go. HE hath declared that
Of him He Will make great nation"
Hsgar nodded by way of reply, while
Ishmael looked doggedly before him.
Then they walked away towards the