St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-10-21

SAASSAAS OAA
"Oh, bother your vague fears. Con-
slider the realities. Look!" she ex-
claimed, pointing towards a body Of
horsemen that had just come into view
and was rapidly approaching. That
doesn't look much as though you would
ever have to serve another. much less
your brother Jacob
Esau made no response, but watched
with proud eyes his faithful followers.
Then, turning and reckoning to one OF
his servants, he ordered him to bring
up his horse, and was soon in the saddle
and riding off with his men. A bit Of
news which they brought changed his
plans, and instead of continuing in the
direction of the chief city of Edom,
where he was to meet the king, he turned
into the trail which led to the north
ward. Word had been brought that
strong body Of Syrians, with their hocks
and herds was moving to the south
ward, and both as a caution
airy measure and with the thought
Of tribute or plumber to be gained
from the strangers, Esau deter
mined at once to go to meet them. With
his strong body Of armed followers he
had little to fear, and tribes from dis
tant country were legitimate prey. Here
was opportunity to win fresh glory, and
obtain rich booty, perhaps. But they
had not proceeded far when they en-
countered company Of men, and to the
inquiries of the vanguard OF. Esau's
forces they replied that they wire bear
ers Of messages to Esau, lord vt Edom,
and could they direct them to him?
Fearing treachery of some kind, the
men Questioned the strangers sharply,
desiring to know the nature of their
business with their chief, when at that
moment, Esau attracted by the commo-
ton, rode forward. The strangers
bowed low.
I'VE are bearers" the spokesman of
the party declared, =. message to
Esau, lord of Edom, from Jacob, his
BROTHER. Canst thou tell where he
may be found!'
Jacob exclaimed Esau, unable to
hide his emotions. CONTEST thou from
Jacob, the son of Isaac. who has been
sojou,ning In Syria? Where is he?''
Yea, the same, and he is tarrying
with his focks and herds and mis-
wives and children In Mount Gilead.
But who art thou?" and the speaker
looked uneasily upon the man before
him, and his fierce-looking armed at
tendants who crowded about him.
II am Esau," he said, watching with
half-amused smile the surprise and
CONSERVATION displayed on the faces
of the men before him.
"Ou1 master has sent us to thee"
at last the messenger managed to say,
"and has commanded us saying: Thus
shall We speak unto my lord Esau:
THY servant Jacob saith thus, | have
sojouTned with Laban. and stayed
there until now; and I have oxen, and
asses, fiocks and men servants, and
women servants; and have sent to
tell my lord that may find grace In
thy sight. -"
Did Jacob say servants? Strange"
Esau exclaimed. half to himself, struck
at once by the thought that It did not
harmonic with the declaration that
the "elder was to serve the young
err" but without waiting for reply, he
eagerly made further inquiry regard
ing his brother, and finally dismissed
the messengers, telling them to re-
turn to Jacob. and inform him that
Esau was coming to meet him. And
that night as he rested with his men,
the ole memories crowded in upon him,
but the bitterness and hatred Of the
long ago were gone. He would forget
the past. He had all that the world
could give. Why need he be envious Of
Jacob?
And while God was working change
in the heart Of Esau and making the
way safe for Jacobs return, He was
bringing Jacob face to face with the
sins Of the past and stirring his heart
to true and deep repentance, for when
the messengers returned and reported
that Esau was coming with 400 armed
men, his heart sank within him, and he
was seized with a great fear. And he
divided the people that was with him,
and the focks, herds and camels into
two bands, fearing that Esau might
fall upon him under the cover OF
darkness, for said he: IF Esau come to
the one company and smite 1t, then
the other company which is left shall
escape"
Having taken these precautions, ia
cob went apart by himself, and when
he had thrown himself upon his face
he cried to God, saying:
"Oh, God OF my father Abraham,
and God of my father Isaac. the Lord
which saidst unto me, Return unto
thy country, and to thy kindred, and
will Geal well with thee: | am not
worthy Of the least Of all the mercies,
and OF all the truth, which thou hast
showed unto thy servant; for with my
STAFF passed over this Jordan; and
now am become two bands Deliver
me, pray thee. from the hand Of my
brother, from the hand Of Esau; for
fear him, lest he win come and smite
me, and the mother with the children.
And thou saidst, will surely do thee
good, and make thy seed as the sand
of the sea, which cannot be numbered
for multitude"
And as Jacob pleaded the promises
which God had made to him. and con-
fessed his own sins and short comings
and needs, there came into his heart q
new faith in God and q new purpose
to serve Him. And there appeared un-
to him the angel Of the Lord, and
wrestled with him until the breaking
of the daY and the anra; h1ossod him