The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-05-06

forth.
All night long they pushed their way
northward, and the next morning struck
the trail of the victorious kings, who,
all unconscious of danger, were proceed
ing leisurely with their captives and
rich plumber. Towards evening the en-
envy was spted In the distance, and in
slant council was held as to the method
of attack.
Abraham divided his forces, posting
them at various points from which they
would be able most effectually to de-
scend to the attack, and Their waited for
the darkness.
The revelry in the camp of the kings
could be heard, and it was no difficult
task to locate the place where the cap
tives n the plumber had been placed.
The kings and their warriors, flushed
with victory, were feasting and MAX
ing merry The captives, hopeless and
crushed by defeat, were bowed in sullen
grief, and among them was Lot.
AS the night deepens and the revelry
IN the camp gives place to heavy slum-
Der, Abraham's followers creep in and
prepare at a given signal to fall upon the
enemy.
Lot, all unconscious that deliverance
was at hand, and unable to sleep. turned
With a grOan and said to his wife who
sat near him:
oh, how I wish I had never gone
down into the Jordan valley and to Sod
ON: Had I remained with Abraham
this trouble would not have come upon
US. The poorer pasturage Of Canaan is
better than all the riches and luxury OF
SOdOn, low"
well, what good is 1t going to do IT,
mourn oven it nOw?' sharply returned
the woman, in an unsympathetic voice.
If God delivers me from this strait. [
will not return to that place again" con-
tinued Lot, apparently not noticing his
Wife's remark.
What has God got to do with it any
way? l don't feel or believe as you do
at all"
Lot was silent, for he knew that re-
mOnstrance was useless. His wife had
never had any sympathy with his views.
and she it was who was largely respon-
sible for their moving into Sodom.
Down deep in his heart he had faith in
Abraham's God, but not so his wife.
Both sat in silence now, Lot in bitter
remOrSe reaching out towards God; his
wife in hardness Of heart and ~epe
ant rebellion turning from God.
Suddenly both started, What was
that cry? On every side there were an
swering calls, and then the tramp of
many feet, followed by the crash Of
tents on every hand and the clash of
arms. The whole camp was in wild
tumuIt, and in the darkness Lot could
see men fleeing, with others in hot pur-
suit. Had deliverance come? or were
they only falling into the hands of a
tiercer and stronger enemy?
Moved by an impulse to escap in the
confusion, Lot arose and Selling his
wife and calling to his children. he was
on the point of rushing off into the shell
tering darkness, when he heard his
name called. Again, and yet again, he
heard the call, and, despite the fear that
filled his heart and the confusion of his
brain. he recognized the familiar vOice
Of Abraham. With a glad cry he sprang
forward and In 3 trice was standing at
his side. 1t was the first time they had
met since they had been separated after
Abraham had SO generously given him
the choice of the land and he had so self
ishly taken the best.
And you came to my deliverance,"
exclaimed Lot. when he heard Abra-
hams story, after the way in which !
treated your
Nay, my brother, speak not of that
matter. Had 1 done less God would not
have been pleased"
All, how many times in the last two
days | have regretted my choice. wish
| had been content to dwell with you in
the land"
You yet may do SO if you wish" was
the generous response.
The preparations for the return Jour.
ney interrupted further conversation.
The next day the men who had pursued
the fleeing bands returned and the march
to the southwark vas begun. AS they
drew near to the rich fruitful fields of
the Jordan valley the resolution of Lot
to abandon Sodom and the surrounding
country and cast his lot in again with
the godly Abraham began to weaken
and it was plain to see that his wife had
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beloved Sodom.
When the king of Sodom came out tc
meet them and greeted them so warmly.
he felt loath to give up such friendship.
While thus hating between two opin-
ions, between duty and desire, between
the things Of &C.. and the things of the
world, the wonderful meeting between
Abraham and Meichizedek had taken
place, as though to stimulate 10 right
choice. He saw the courageous Abra-
ham put aside the temptation to AXE CT
the rich goods Of Sodom, to which he
was entitled by right of conquest and
capture, he heard his brave words:
4 have lifted up my hand unto the
Lord God Most High, possessor Of heav-
en- and earth, that l will not AXE a
thread nor a ShOa-1atchet nor uobtt that