St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-06-10

TD m 1t is to wait patlent-
IlIL11I ly. for the working
- KILN 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 it, and to thy seed forever. And
I will make thy seed as the dust OF the
earth" Abraham doubted not, but he
wondered how it was to be brought to
pass, and as the years sped by ne
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 we're overruled and
the promised blessings at last given in
Gods own good time and way.
The experiences Of Abraham are
common, in kind il not, in degree, to
every Christian. May we not as we
consider the life and the missteps OF
this patriarch of old learn lessons and
gain wisdom which will help us to
wait on God for the time and manner
of fulfllment of His promises and pur-
poses for us? For we have need OF
patience, that, having done the will
of God, We may receive the promise
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust
also in Him, and He will bring it to
pass"
"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 cal!
it to-day, the rent money! which had
been agreed upon when Abraham had
settled with his hocks 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
steward of all his household and pos
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withdrawn, and were thus busily en-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 flocks and herds
I'LL 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
it not little enough which ask for all
this? It 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 It was his care and devotion to
Abraham's interests more than the
special favor of the country which had
DO enriched and prospered his master
He might have told how by his skill
and management he had made flocks
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 q
word. Instead he pushed the bags Of
gold and silver, which by this time
had been filled and tied up, towards
the other with an air Of decision. and
Mamre, seeing that further effort to
exact 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 tc
coming to Hebron and settling, God
had appeared to him and promised him
not only the land, but seed 70 occupy
It 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:
81 am minded to make Eliezer my
son and heir. May 1t not be thai
Gods promise is to be realized IL
him?"
Surely he hath been more than Z
son to you since first he met you al
Damascus, when mere STRIPPING, and
insisted in following you whittier yor
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 lind relief in the
thought that in Eliezer was to be real
lied Gods promise