Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-06-02

how IL was his care and devotion TO
Abraham's interests more than the
special favor OF the country which had
so enriched and prospered his master
lie might have told how by his skill
and management he had made iocks
and soil yield abundant returns. He
might have told how by precept and
example he had inspired in Abraham's
men the same spirit of devotion and
faithfulness to duty which marked his
administration. But he said not n
word. Instead he pushed the bags OF
gold and silver, which by this time
had been filled and tied up. toward.
the other with an air of decision. and
Mamre, seeing that further effort to
exact a larger tribute was vain, took
the proffered treasure and departed.
In the meantime in the tent of Abra-
ham master and wife were holding
important conference. The coming of
Mamre had stirred strange memories,
for the year before, just previous to
coming to Hebron and settling. God
had appeared TO him and promised him
not only the land but a seed TO occupv
il as numerous as the dust Of the earth
But as yet no heir had come, and the
realization OF the promise seemed as
far off as ever. Abraham was the first
TO speak:
Il am minded 10 make Eliezer my
son and heir. May il not be that
Gods promise is TO be realized in
him%
Surely he hath been more than a
son TO you since first he met you at
Damascus, when mere stripping. and
insisted in following you whittier YOU
went" replied Sarah in evident SYM
pathy with Abraham's plan for she
had long since ceased 10 hope that she
herself would be the mother of Abra-
hams heir. and her bitterness and
grief seemed to find relief in the
thought that in Eliezer was TO be real
lied Gods promise.
Long they sat and talked over their
plans and then as the twilight deepen
ed into the darkness of night. Abra-
ham withdrew for his favorite walk
and meditation alone in>the starlight
Ere he realized whittier his steps were
bearing him he found himself beside
the altar which he had builded when
he first came TO Hebron. Falling prone
upon the ground, he lifted his heart TO
God in prayer. for he was singularly
oppressed and troubled in spirit. The
way had seemed all so clear while he
had talked with Sarah, but now he
seemed in greater doubt than ever
How long he remained bowed TO the
ground he knew not, but at last he re-
allied that he was not alone, but that
Jehovah stood by his side. and he
heard Him say:
Fear not, Abraham! am thy shield
and thy exceeding great reward"
What wilt Thou give me. oh Lord,
seeing go childless? Shall not this Eli
ezer of Damascus become my son and
heir? ! beseech Thee that Thou wilt
look with favor upon him" pleaded ABB
raham earnestly. as he unfolded the plan
of his own heart and that of Sarah.
A deep and long silence followed, one
of those pauses which come at times
when the heart is waiting before God
and He would have it search for and long
to know the Divine will. Then came the
message:
This man shall not be thine heir; but
be that shall come forth out of thine own
bowels shall be thine heir. Come,
have somewhat to show thee" and lead
ing him forth God brought him to the
mountain top and said: Look now to-
ward heaven, and number the stars. If
thou be able to number them"
In obedience to Gods word, Abraham
lifted hig eyes TO the vast stretch Of
heavens, and as his gaze swept from
horizon to zenith and from zenith to the
horizon in every direction, each one OF
the countless hosts of heaven seemed to
be flashing forth a challenge for him TO
number them. Bewildered and abashed
at the impossible task, he bowed his
head and God said, in measured tones:
"So-shall-thy-seed-be.."
And Abraham believed God. IL was
with 1.-THE step and buoyant heart that he
descended the mountain and retraced
his steps to his abode. Eagerly he sought
his wifes side. and, arousing her from
her slumbers. related all the wonderful
experiences of the night
Descendants as the stars OF heaven!
Africans seed and not Eliezer! How
could it be? Sarah doubted not Gods
promise. but she could not understand
how it could be brought to pass All
night long she pondered the thought,
and then fell into a fitful slumber. dur
ing which she thought she had fallen
into sore trouble, and saw Hagar. her
Egyptian maid coming to her help. but
just before she reached her, she awoke.
All during the day her mind was filled
with the story OF Abraham. and strange
ly enough her dream kept ever recurring
to her in connection herewith Abra-
ham was not near 10 confde in, for he
had left early in the day for the mountain
with the heifer and the goat and the
ram, the turtle-dove and the young pi-
geon. as the Lord commanded him in re-
Spouse 10 his request for a sign. And
while Abraham was thus occupied in
that wonderful symbolic service and
vision. Sarah planned how Gods prom
Use was 10 be realized In accordance