The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-09-29
fash and are into his eyes, and stirred

But he continued, musingly, as his
thoughts reverted to Jacob, Il cannot
understand what father could have
meant when he declared that should
serve my brother"
ooh, IL was the whimsical notion Of a
weak old man Judith rejoined with an
impatient toss of her head, as though
she would dismiss the matter as of no
possible significance.
But / have heard mother make the
same remark. and | believe she claimed
that God had SO declared before our
birth"
Well, you are not silly enough TO be-
lieve it or let it trouble you, are you?
Your riches and power are enough to
disprove as utterly impossible and
ridiculous any such condition"
Yes" he replied. in rather dubious,
uncertain tone, sit does seem so. But
sometimes it troubles me. l cannot
shake off the thought altogether"
"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, n 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 q
strong body of Syrians, with their fiocks
and herds was moving to the south
ward, and both as a caution
airy measure and with the thought
or tribute or plumber to be gained
from the strangers. Esau deter
mined at once to so to meet them. But
they had not gone far when they en-
countered a company of men, and to the
inquiries of the vanguard of Esau's
forces they replied that they were bear
ers of messages to Esau, lord of Edom,
n 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.
We are bearers the spokesman of
the party declared, u q message to
/ Esau, lord of Edom, from Jacob, his
bother. Canst thou tell where he
may be found?'
jacob" exclaimed Esau, unable tc
hide his emotions. "Comest thou from
Jacob, the son of Isaac. who has been
sojorrning in Syria? Where is hep
V Yea, the same, and he is tarrying
with lis flocks and herds and mis-
wives and children in Mount Gilead
But who art thou?" and the speaker
S looked ~uneasily upon the man before
him, and his fierce-looking armed at.
tendants who crowded about him.
'1 am Esau," he said, watching witt
O haIf-amused smile the surprise ant
Z CONSERVATION displayed on the facet
$ of the men before him.
Our master has sent us to thee
: at last the messenger managel to say
k "and has commanded us saying: Thus
shall We speak unto my lord Esau:
e Thy servant Jacob saith thus, | have
h soiouTned with Laban, and stayet
there until now; and | have oxen, ant
d asses, fiocks and men servants, ant
women servants; and | have sent t.
s tell my lord that I may find grace il
d thy sight,"
+ That night as he rested with his mel
the ole memories crowded in upon him
but the bitterness and hatred of tn
long & were gone. He would forge
the past. He had all that the worlt
VI could give. Why need he be envious 0
= jacob
And while God was working chang
in the heart of Esau and making III
a way safe for Jacobs return, He wa
bringing Jacob face to face with tin
g SINS of the past and stirring his hear
n. to true and deep repentance, for whe.
re the messengers returned and reportel
that Esau was coming with 400 armeN
n men, his heart sank within him, and b
le was seized with a great fear.
d "Oh. God of my father Abraham
is and God Of my father Isaac. the Lor,
s. which saidst unto me, Return unit
is thy country, and to thy kindred, and
Id will GeaI well with thee; | am no
ut worthy of the least of all the mercies
lo and of an the truth, which thou has
he showed unto thy servant; for with m
c. staff | passed over tbs Jordan; an
Id now | am become two bands. Delive
fy me. I pray thee, from the hand of m
80 brother. from the hand Of Esau; for
I'd fear him, lest he will come and smlt
t. me. and the mother with the children
IS And thou saidst, / will surely do the
g. good. and make thy seed as the san
Is of the sea. which cannot be numbere
10 for multitude"
&c And as Jacob pleaded the promise
u.bf., crd had mazda IN rim and nor