Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-07-14

which the cneeTy
blast had come.
THAT is Jerah's horn, If | mistake
not" quickly spoke up a tall, comely
young man, rising to his feet. Il
must be going. Eliezer has his hands
more than full these days in taking
the accounting of the fiocks and herds,
and | must help him"
THE reports thus far are good, my
SOM" questioned the aged father, lift
ing his eyes TO the face of the young
man and studying it with quiet earn
estness.
There has never been a better year
that | remember, father. And | know
Eliezer is well pleased, for repeatedly
during the last few days, as the reports
have come in, he has exclaimed: How
hath the Lord prospered my MASTER! %
Neither parent spoke for some time,
but letting their eyes rest on the spot
where their son had disappeared they
seemed 10 be lost in thoughts and
plans Tor him. Abraham was the first
10 break the sweet silence, as he said,
with feryor:
How graciously Jehovah hath dealt
with us. He hath withheld nothing
from us"
Yea, and the Lord hath spoken
nothing but good concerning our son
Isaac" rejoined Sarah, confidently.
1T is in my heart 10 make an offer
ing unto the Lord this day in token
of His goodness and mereies," respond
ed Abraham, rising.
Going TO the flocks. Abraham select
ed one of the finest OF the lambs, and
bearing il in his arms, he sought out
the altar in the midst of the grove
where il was his wont TO call upon
the name of the Lord. and offer sacri
fee unto Him. Carefully he laid the
wood on the altar and upon this placed
the little lamb. AS he took his knife
in hand, prepared 10 shed its blood. a
voice called him. saying:
"Abraham,"
Behold. here am I, quickly re
sponded Abraham staying his hand
and waiting reverantly with bowed
head for he knew II was the Lord talk
ing with him.
Take now thy son, thine only sol
Isaac, whom thou lowest. and get the,
into the land OF Moriah; and offer hin
there for a burnt Offering upon one Of
the mountains which | will tell thee
Of"
The voice ceased. Abraham's hanC
dropped nerveless at his side. Cole
beads of perspiration stood out upor
his forehead. A mist like cloud fel
over his eyes. shutting out the brigh
sunshine. His brain whirled in con
fused helplessless. and a strange dreaC
seized hold upon his heart His limbs
shook beneath him. and sinking TO IN,
ground. he heard again the words:
Take now thy son, thine only sol
Isaac. whom thou lowest. and get the,
into the land OF Moriah; and offer hin
there for a burnt Offering upon one o
the mountains which | will tell the,
Of"
II was God speaking He had obeye,
that voice before but could he ODE,
now? His only begotten son whom
he loved, Oh, could he walk in tn,
pathway which God had marked out
Long and fierce was the conflict. bu
az last victory, and a calm peaceful
ness which always comes when thu
soul has placed itself unreservedly il
the hands of God and walks with Hin
into the furnace of fiery trial. III
could not understand and he knew I
was not for him yet TO see the reason
why. Out of the agony and confusion
of heart and mind two thoughts cam
at last to calm and help him. On,
was that God had spoken and that h
must obey The other was that God
who had so miraculously given hin
and Sarah a son in their old age. coul,
also restore him TO them though h,
were dead.
The afternoon had slipped away an,
the twilight was deepening into tn,
darkness of night. and still Abraham
lay in the dust at the foot Of the altar
So lost was he with his inward contem
plations that he did not hear the treat
Of footsteps. but the gentle pressure o
a hand upon his shoulders aroused him
and lifting his head he looked up into tn
face OF his son. in whose eyes Their
shone mingled wonder and loving sym
pathy.
Father. we have wondered at tn,
prolonged absence. and came in searcI
Of thee"
The father struggled to speak. blu
his voice choked, and Isaac's quick per
csptioa teld him that bis father hal