Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-08-25

III NN strong and agile
10 = Esau? What had
* NNG happened? Il IS
h ~ head felt dizzy
FTf9-e and every bone
and muscle in his body ached, but he
tried 10 think and find answers TO al
these questions which came rushing
upon him.
Are you badly hurt" the man ask
ed and again Ne opened his eyes. The
man stopped down and raised him TO a
sitting position
What has happened" asked Esau
with a groan.
You have fallen down the rocks
and are badly bruised. but guess no
bones are broken" replied the other,
AS he made hasty examination.
Esau glanced at his bow lying
broken at his side, and the arrows
FALLEN from his culver and scattered
about. He looked up the face of the
rocks TO the precipice some twenty
or more feet above his head. he saw
the rent in the vines and bushes which
covered the edge OF the rocks made
Is he had come crashing through, and
then he remembered. He had been
chasing an antelope. and so intent was
he In taking his quarry that misstep
had sent him headlong TO the rocks
below
And the antelope got away" he
exclaimed, regretfully the hunter
rulins passion asserting itself and
making him forget for the moment his
pain
Never mind the antelope You're
in luck to have escaped with only
bruises Come lets see if you can
stand.
And extending hand he helped
Esau struggle TO his feet, and then
looking inquringly at him. he asked:
Who art thou? Hast thou come
far"
Il am Esau the son of Isaac. and
my people live far TO the southwest
at Beersheba."
What. the great shiek Isaac the
son of Abraham"
Yea, the same. responded Esau
'Ah. the story OF the greatness and
riches Of Abraham and Isaac has
spread through all the country. But, %
he added a shadow OF resentment
crossing his face. why are thy people
so exclusive? Are not the Hittites
and other nations dwelling in the land
great in riches and power? Why
should Abraham and Isaac and their
people continue as strangers in the
land and refuse TO mingle with us p"
An awkward pause followed during
which Esau struggled for an answer
He had a vague realization that II
had something TO do with the religion
Of his people. He was familiar with
the worship OF Jehovah. and had often
heard his father and grandfather
speak OF the false gods of the nations
about them and declare that they
must have nothing 10 do with them.
but he had never before come face to
face with such questions as this
stranger had propounded. and for
want OF better answer. he parted the
questions, by asking
And art thou a Hittite?"
Il am Beeri, one Of the chiefs OF the
Hittite kingdom. But tell me-" he
persisted, why do thy people have so
little intercourse with the nations
about them?"
Il think ii is because our religion
forbids, stammered Esau, not under
standing just why it should.
But are not the gods OF the Hittites
just as good as the gods of Abraham and
Isaac? Why need our worship separate
us? But come; thou dost need rest and
refreshment, after thy cruel fall Ii is
not far to my home And STOPPING
down. he gathered up the scattered ar
rows and replaced them In Esau's quiv
er and then started down the path.
while Esau followed
Thy coming is well timed said
Beeri as hey drew near TO the chiefs
tent, for the people are gathering for a
feast to the gods on the morrow
A feast TO the gods? Esau started. un-
easily What would his father and
mother think of his presence at such an
affair? lie was on the point OF saying
that he could not remain when the taunt
of Beeri flashed through his mind. and
he asked himself:
Is our God better than the gods OF the
Hittites? What harm can come from
sharing in their feast9'
Beeri noted the hesitation and en-
barrassment. and asked. in tone OF dis
pleasure
You will not refuse to renain?"
No" hastily responded Esau. too
fearful 10 make the reply he knew he
ought 10 make
Good. and here we are. " he added. as
they reached the tent and the servants
came hurrying forward 10 receive them
and make them comfortable.
sit you here and rest. while look
after the preparations for the morrow"
said Bseri directing a servant TO place
rug for Esau In the entrance 10 the
tent. and then departing.
The tent was large and roomy. more