The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-04-29

~" p / NneFe lie
y had made his first
misstoD, in order to get started right
again.
Famine drove Abraham down into
Egypt. Tnbclicf perhaps wa9 the
guide which led him into that phase
3f temptation and trial. Surely it was
dnDcLiaf which made him fear in the
presence of the strange and unknown
king and people. It was unbelieG
which led him to seek escape from
imagined or real danger by refuge in
a lie, and it was unbelief which made
him content to dwell in a land to
which God had not directed him.
1t is night. The stiffness OF the
midnight hour is only broken by the
lowing of cattle and the bleating of
sheep as they feed in the adjacent
fields, and the occasional voice of a
herdsman as he recalls a wandering
sheep, or round up his cattle. The
little group Of tents stands out clear
against the blue background of the dis
taGt horizon, while the rOund-pOinted
apex of each points silently and faith
fully upward towards the myriad stars
shat are flashing forth their light. The
flaps to the tent are drawn, with one eX-
reption. and the inmates, wrapped in
their rugs, are fast asleep.
Before the largest of the tents a man
is seen to be pacing back and forth.
The size Of the tent, its location, for it
stands somewhat apart from the others,
and the signs Of its richness and luxury,
which may be detected even upon the
,rt-T-- ;-IS-r+D : I,+ - .nz,~ ~+ -,1
owner IS the chief, and head Of the tribe,
A closer look at the figure moving to
and fro before the open tent reveals the
rich texture Of his robes, and it is not
hard to guess that it is the chief him
self.
With bowed head and uneasy. nerv-
out step he moves down to the end OF
the grassy slope and then back again,
He stops as he approaches the door, re-
adjusts his blanket, drawing it more
closely about him. for the night air Is
cold, and then throws himself upon tbs
rug in the tent entrance, and with &
half moan, half despairing cry, he calls:
Sarah! SARAH"
He knows she is not within: he knows
there will come no answering word tt
the cry of his heart, but he cannot re
frain from speaking the name. AnC
then, as though unable to stand the 81
Ienre. he springs again to his feet anC
begins anew his wearisOme tramp.
1t is Abraham. A few months befOr,
he had come into Egypt, seeking pastur
age for his large focks and herds. Tn
rains had failed that year in Canaan an,
hearing that in Egypt in the well-wa
tered district at the mouth of the Nil
.there was plentiful pasturage he hat
hurried thiUher. His coming had bee
heraIded to the king and he had bees
received kindly
All had gone we'll. The country wa
pleasant. the tlocks and herds thrivet
and Abraham and those with hiI
were settling down c~ontentedly a
though they had come to stay. Canaa
for the time was forgotten. and the ca.
and promises which had come fro1
God to Abraham at Hcran had well-nig
passed from memory.
But now all was changed. A grea
sorrow had come to Abraham. Hi
beautiful wife Sarah had been taken int
PInraoh's harem, and it had com
about in this way. The princes of tn
couatry had visited him often in the
desire to be friendly, and had seen tl
fair woman whom Abraham introduce
as his sister, in accordance with tt
agreement between them as they lie
Canaan to so into Egypt, for Abraha,
feared if he said she was his wife tt
princes of the land would covet her a.
kill him for her sake.
But instead of the princes seeking h,
hand in marriage, an offer which 81
and Abraham might safely have refuse
they told the king of the srace and bea
ty Of the roman and Pharaoh hs
sought her for his harem, a reque
which could not be denied.
And so Sarah, in anguish of spir
but fearing to protest and reveal t
truth. had meekly submitted, as tn
had attired her gorgeously and, wi
a splendid retinue sent by the kin
had carried her with much rejoicing
triumph to the palace. AND there S
was now, while Abraham, crushed
spirit, and in great agony OF mind a
heart. was left desolate and alone.
Oh. the horror and distress of tho
days which followed. No sleep at mig
to shut out the sorrow, no relief by d
to assuag the grief. The darkness W
made darker and the anguish cut deep
because he realized that by his o.
wrongdoing, his w deliberate
planned %falsehood, he had brought
trouble about himself.
The king shoYered gifts and atte