Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-06-23

n
W. and Gods blessing
tM And then again
the N nger
comes and we miss his visit because some
distraction of life has drawn us away
from the pathway of duty and we are aD-
sent. We are not in the place where
God would speak TO Us and give us bless
ing.
MY master, the pasturage in TINS
place Is not sufficient for thy increas
ing fucks and herds. The rains have
partially failed and the hillsides are
becoming brown and bare, and even
now the young men are forced 10
seek pasturage far down the valley.
Thus spoke Eliezer. one morning as
he came TO Abraham's tent. For such
a careful, provident overseer as was
Eliezer. the situation was exceeding
" trying. Ever faithful TO Abraham $
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 10 speak before proceeding
further.
Abraham lifted his eyes inquiringly
and then said:
! Speak on, Eliezer, all that is in thy
heart"
/ IL 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 IL were well
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 it 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 a 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 a certainty of the land e
which we would go. for the youn(
men whom | sent 10 search out the
country have returned bringing wore
that il is indeed a goodly land, anc
that the people are friendly and viii
welcome the great chief Abraham an'
his people for they have heard of tn.
wealth and thy great goodness.
Nay. it is not that" quickly re
sponded Abraham. II doubt not tn,
reports Of the land. for thou art wis
3 and discreet servant. but il may be TIA
Lord will speak further concerning m
! son Isaac whom God hath PROMISE
that Sarah shall bear me. -
Thy son Isaac?" questioned Eliezei
deeply puzzled for this was the frs
reference which Abraham had made {
apvsne save mis- wife of his latss
vision. and even TO her it was as a
idle tale. Does my master forget tina
his years and the years of Sarah ar
u many and that the hope of youth mus
fade and vanish away
: Il cannot go. now was the quiet bt
n decisive answer.
: But the sheep and the camels an
/. the asses. protested Eliezer in tones {
y deep anxiety. while we linger the
: perish," And the oyerseer OF all Abr;
$ hams possessions shifted nervous
from one foot 10 the other an I adiustt
his mantle with an impatient jerk.
was the first time ne had ever found
necessary TO take such sharp issue vii
his master and had he not felt so See
re ~ the needs of the locks and the herd
m he would have been frightened by h
Of own boldness
<, Better that they perish than that
5 should depart from he Lords presen
and, blessing" was the earnest repl
and EHezer. realizing that Abraham
decision was final withdrew.
A rustic in the rear OF the tent arous
~ Abraham. and he realized that Sar
IS. had been a listener 10 the conyersatio
N. What strange idle hope keeps Oh
a- lingering here Abraham? II were b.
~. ter to listen 10 The voice OF wisdom. IN
.ly to trust 10 the visions of thine ON
n9 heart"
90 sarah stood at his side. and her vo
y sounded strangely sharp and unsy
20 pathetic. Bitterness and unbelief m
n eled i'm her heart and she resented Dbl
rs ing Abraham speak of things she COZ
not receive.
by Abraham bowed his head In sil'
are grief. for be knew further pleading W