The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-05-13


Ar0YM 1t is to wait patient
H EAl ly for the working
KIN out Of the perfect
will of God in our lives so that the bless
ing promised may be received.
When God said to Abraham, "All the
land which thou seest, to thee will l
give 1t, and to thy seed forever. And
will make thy seed as the dust Of the
EARTH" Abraham doubted not, but he
wondered how 1t was to be brought to
pass, and as the years sped by he
sought by human wisdom and planning
to obtain the promise. Mistakes were
thus made. and trouble for himself
and others caused. And the mercy,
love and patience of God are no more
strikingly manifest than in the way In
which the mistakes were overruled and
the promised blessings at last given in
Gods own good time and way.
But didst thou not agree with my
master for so much?" questioned Eli
ezer, sharply, as he turned from his
weighing of the silver and gold and
waited for the man standing at his
side to speak.
Mamre, in whose country Abraham
dwelt, had come that day to receive
the annual tribute Tor as we would call
1t to-day, the rent money! which had
been agreed upon when Abraham had
settled with his flocks and herds in
the beautiful valley. In the true spirit
of hospitality of the east Abraham had
entertained his guest, and after they
had broken bread together, thereby
pledging to each other undying fealty
and friendship, Abraham directed
Eliezer, his confidential servant and
sessions, to make settlement with
Mamre. Accordingly the two men had
withdrawn, and were thus busily en-
gagged when the dispute as to terms
arose.
The willy Mamre sought to escape
direct answer to Eliezer's question by
recalling the unusual prosperity of
Abraham since his coming thither. AS
he lifted his eyes and looked down the
valley and towards the hillsides, he
exclaimed:
"See his splendid fiocks and herds
fill the valley, and there with sweep
of his hand in the direction of the lit
tie village of tents where Abraham's
men and their families were sheltered)
his numerous followers dwell in con-
tentment, for there is plenty for ALL Is
1t not little enough which l ask for all
this? 1t Is my land and my friendship
that are making Abraham rich. Should
I not be treated fairly?" And as he
ceased speaking he let his eyes fall
greedily upon the chests OF treasure
which Eliezer guarded In his tent, and
from which he had just taken the sill
yer and gold for payment to him.
Had Eliezer not been too modest to
speak for himself. he might have told
how 1t 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.
He might have told how by his skill
and management he had made fiocks
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 a.
word. Instead he pushed the bags OF
gold and silver, which by this time
had been filed and tied UP, towards
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 seed to occupy
II as numerous as the dust of the earth.
But as yet no heir had come, and the
realization of the promise seemed as
far OF as ever. Abraham was the first
to speak:
II am minded to make Eliezer my
son and heir. May It not be that
Gods promise is to be realized in
him."
Surely he hath been more than a
son to you since Arst he met you at
Damascus, when a mere stripping. and
insisted in following you whittier you
went" replied Sarah. in evident sym
patty with Abraham's plan. for she
had long since ceased to hope that she
herself would be the mother Of Abra-
hams heir. and her bitterness and
grief seemed to fnd relief in the
thought that in Eliezer was to be real.
lied Gods promise.