The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-05-27

| distraction of life has drawn us away
| from the pathway OF duty and we are alb
sent. We are not In the place where
God would speak to us and give us bless
ing.
MY master, the pasturage in this
place is not sufficient for thy increas-
ing fiocks and herds. The rains have
partially failed and the hiilsides are
becoming brown and bare, and even
now the young men are forced to
seek pasturage far down the valley"
Thus spoke Eliezer, one morning as
he came to Abraham's tent. For such
careful, provident overseer as was
Eliezer. the situation was exceeding
ly trying. Ever faithful to Abraham's
interests he saw the wisdom of re-
moval to more verdant fields. and
came with>the purpose of suggesting
such a course, but waited for his
master to speak before proceeding
further
Abraham lifted his eyes inquiringly
and then said:
Speak on, Eliezer, all that is in thy
| heart"
~ pray thee that thou wilt pardon
| thy servant for troubling thee and for
suggesting the journey with its bur-
den and fatigue, but tidings have
come from the land of the south of
abundant pasturage. and 1t were we'll
that we proceed thither."
A troubled look overspread the
countenance of the older man, and 1t
was some few minutes before he ven
tured to reply. He was loath to leave
Hebron, for 1t had long been his dwell
ing place. Nearly 10 years had
passed since he had first pitched his
| tent under the oaks of Mamre and
1t was at Hebron that the Lord had
repeatedly appeared unto him and re-
newed His promise OF son.
Thou asketh hard thing. Is not
Hebron better than the strange land.
and unknown people?"
But, my MASTER" earnestly pro-
tested Eliezer, who misunderstood the
real reasons of Abraham's reluctance,
Il know of certainty of the land to
which we would go, for the young
men whom | sent to search out the
country have returned, bringing word
that 1t Is indeed a goodly land, and
that the people are friendly and will
welcome the great chief Abraham and
his people, for they have heard of thy
wealth and thy great goodness
NAY, it is not that" quickly re-
sponded Abraham. IL doubt not thy
reports of the land, for thou art wise
and discreet servant, but II may be the
Lord will speak further concerning my
son Isaac, whom God hath promised
that Sarah shall bear me.''
"Thy son Isaac" questioned Eliezer.
deeply puzzled, for this was the first
reference which Abraham had made to
anyone save his wife of his latest
vision, and even to her It was as an
idle tale. Does my master forget that
his years and the years of Sarah arc
many, and that the hope Of youth must
fade and vanish away?"
81 cannot go, now" was the quiet but
decisive answer.
but the sheep and the camels and
the asses" protested Eliezer, in tones of
deep anxiety. while we linger they
hams possessions shifted nervously
from one foot to the other and adjusted
his mantle with an impatient jerk. 1t
~as the first time he had ever found It
necessary to- take such sharp issue with
his master. and had he not felt SO keen
ly the needs Of the fiocks and the herds,
he would have been frightened by his
own holiness.
Better that they perish than that
should depart from the Lords presence
and blessing" was the earnest reply,
and Eliezer, realizing that Abrahams
decision was final, withdrew.
A rustic In the rear OF the tent aroused
Abraham, and he realized that Sarah
had been listener to the conversation.
what strange, idle hope keeps thee
lingering here. Abraham? 1t were bet
ter to listen to the voice of wisdom, than
to trust to the visions of thine own
heart"
Sarah stood at his side and her voice
sounded strangely sharp and unsym-
pathetic. Bitterness and unbelief min
gled in her heart, and she resented hav-
ing Abraham speak Of things she could
MT rocofvo