The Tupelo journal., 1905-04-07

tlOn. Inc sound OF their Footsteps an
nounced their coming, and before they
had reached the door 1t was flung open
and before them stood thu great, griz-
zled, g~ray-bearded form os Noah, bid
ding them welcome.
Abraham never forgot that meeting
and he never ceased to find comfort
and JOY in the thought of the wonder
full providences of God which had
brought him into fellowship with the
aged servant of God. The days which
followed were wonderful days of priv
ilege and opportunity for Abraham.
Think of what it must have been to
have sat at the feet of that brave,
faithful servant of God, Noah. To have
heard from his lips the wonderful
story of the creation. as Noah himself
had heard from the lips of Methuselah.
To have heard of Gods wonderful
dealings with man, of their wanderings
from Him and of His f%aithfulness and
patience towards them; of Enoch's
translation: of the building of the ark
end of the miraculous preservation
therein of Noah and his family. and
of all the events as known to Noah
since the %repeopling of the earth.
It is all a wonderful story as we read
the brief and concise count which
God has given us, but what a privi-
lege it must have been to have heard
1t all from the lips of a living witness.
Some day in the other land when we
are gathered home and meet the patri-
archs of old such may be u privi-
lege.
Abraham. whose heart had yearned
to know the true God. had that long
ing satisfied and thus the closing
years of Noah's life found their glori-
Gus and browning mission in instruct
ing the father of the Hebrew race, and
Abraham, as he abode with Noah, re-
ioiced that God had counted him
worthy of such honor and privilege.
And Noah's mission ended, and his
work completed, God took him. while
Abraham. prepared for the mission
which he was yet to fulfill, turned his
thoughts homeward, and thither he
went shortly after Noah's death.
AS he iourneyed his thoughts ran
back over the few short years since
he had left Ur. and what contrasts
were presented. He went GU ignorant
of God and came back with the joy
and hope of His acquaintance. He
went forth a friendless fugitive, he
was returning as the friend of God,
He had gone forth knowing no guild
ing hand, he was coming back because
the hand of God was consciously lead
ing him. Surely, the years of Sc
clusion and retirement with Noah were
we'll and profitably spent.
But what of Terah. his father, and
the others whom he had left behind
in Ur? How had it Jared with them!
Such questions had come to him re-
peatedly during his absence, and now
as Abraham entered the city and
neared his old home he wondered what
he would find. Would they blame him
for going? Would they be glad to see
him?
AS an answer to the last questioning
thought, the door of the house open
ed and his father stepped forth and at
the sight of him he sprang forward
with a glad and startled cry which
alarmed those within and soon Abra-
ham was the center of an animated
and joyful group. Until Abraham had
gone they had not realized how much
they looked up to and loved him, and
how large a place he had filled in his
quiet. earnest, thoughtful way in the
home.
but, Abraham, it will not do for
you to remain in the city," exclaimed
Terah. after the first surprise and eX-
element caused by Abraham's return
had passed. eff the priest hears you
are back l fear it will go hard with
you, for we havr felt his ~displeasure
and the displeasure of the king, and
have suffered much at their hands"
the father continued in CONSERVATION.
Father, the true God whom l have
come to know and serve since leaving
you, will protect me and thee and
bring US out in safety, l feel sure"
Abraham responded, quietly.
During this conversation, Sarah, who
since her father, Haran's, death, had
made her home with her grandfather
had been listening intently, and upor
her face there played the mingled emo
tons of anxiety and fear, and love and
hope. as she thought of the peril q
Abraham, and reaching out her hand
and placing it appealingly upon the
arm of her grandfather, she said:
May we not leave this place, and
go where we need not fear the priest
or king?"
A glad light sprang to the face OF
Abraham, for he had returned witt
the hope strong within his breast thai
he might bring his father to leave tbs
corrupt city with it's idolatrous prac
tees, and the thought that this fail
and beautiful m would be glad
to go with them stirred Abraham'f
heart with a new joy.
"Would~you be willing to leave all
the luxury and ease of this city, LITTLE
one?" asked Abraham, fondly.
And by way of answer she dropped
her pretty head, and a radiant flush
suffused her. face as she realized
that she had unwittingly revealed her
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