The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-09-30

daunted courage. q
but" he continued, musingly. rs his
thoughts reverted to Jacob, II cannot
understand what father could have
meant when he declared that should
serve my brother"
R"Oh, It was the whimsical notion OF q
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 che claimed
that God had SO declared before our
BIRTH"
well, you are not silly enough to be-
lieve 1t or let it trouble you, are you?
Your riches and power are enough to
disproye as utterly Impossible and
ridiculous any such condition"
Yes" he replied, in rather dubious;
uncertain tone, 1T does seem SO. But
sometimes 1t troubles me. cannot
shake of the thought altogether"
#"Oh, bother your vague fears. Con-
slider the realities. Look" she ex-
claimed. pointing towards 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 a
strong body of Syrians with their fiocks
and herds was moving to the south
ward. and both as caution.
airy measure and with the thought
or tribute or plumber to be gained
from the strangers. Esau deter.
mined at once to go to meet them. But
they had not gone far when they en-
countered 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,
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, >. a message to
Esau. lord of Edom. from Jacob. his
blother. Can3t thou tell where ha
may be fouD6?
jacob exclaimed Esau. unable to
hide his emotions. CONTEST thou from
Jacob, the son of Isaac who. has been
sojoGining in Syria? Where is hep"
yea, the same. and he is tarryins
with his fiocks and herds and mis-
wives and children In Mount Gileaj.
But who art thou?" and the speaker
looked uneasily uron the man before
him. and his fierce-looking armed at
tendants who crowded about him.
81 am Esau." he said, watching with
a half-amused smile the surprise and
CONSERVATION displayed on the fac q
of the men before him.
"OuI master has sent us to thee"
al last the m ssencer manage to say
and has commanded us saying: 'Thra
shall We speak unto my lord Esau:
Thy servant Jacob saith thus, have
sOjourned with Laban. and stayed
there until now; and have oxen, and
asses, flocks and men servants, and
women servants; and have sent to
tell my lord that l may find grace In
thy sight. -"
That night as he rested with his men
the old 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
Gins 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 great fear.
"Oh. God of my father Abraham.
and God of my father isaac. the Lord
which saidst unto me, Return INTO
thy country, and to thy kindred, and I
will deal well with thee: I 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 I
fear him. lest he will come and smits
me. and the mother with the children.
And thou saidst, will surely do thee
good, and make thy seed as the sand
of tho 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 ort-comings
and needs there came into his heart a
new faith In God and . new purpose
l IN serve Him And there annoo rad I'm