The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-07-20

1T is Jahziel! II Is Jahziel!"
Excitedly the people gathered about
the newcomers. who struggled with
parched, swollen tongues to utter the
one word: "Waterl"
And when they had given them Of
their scant supply and they could
speak o%oherently. Jahziel looked
around and asked, eagerly:
Where is the Cloud? Have you.
too, departed from its leading? All,
that | in my folly had not sought my
own way"
See, there is the Cloud" respond
ed one, e~neouragingly. pointing to the
glowing Pillar in the distance.
Then let us get thither as quickly
as possible" Jahziel urged. appealing
ly, starting forward as he spoke.
What shall it profit us if we do?"
was the impatient reply Of the Others.
is it not all about us desert? What
shall we find there that we have not
here?"
we shall find the presence OF the
Lord, at least. And how dreadful are
the solitudes of the desert apart from
him." and Jahziel shuddered as he re-
called the awful experiences of the
past few days.
Then didst thou not find the place
for which thou didst go in search?"
Jah2iel shook his head. sadly.
And the Lord healed the waters at
Marah, 80 that we drank and were re-
freshed," said one to him,
The distress Of Jahziel'E face deep
ened at these words.
AMI l did not drink Of the waters
there as I passed, not knowing that
the blessing of the Lord rested upon
them. All, we'll, it but serves me
justly. But let us hasten now that
we may get close to the Cloud of Gods
presence"
Thus urging, he eagerly pressed for
ward, while the others followed. As
they drew neal to the camp the sound
of laughter and singing burst upon
their ears, as though the people were
making merry. And what were those
great dark objects looming up against
the sky? Surely they looked like palm
trees. But it could not be, for there
had been no such thing visible upon
the horizon before the sun had set.
But yes, for there near where the
light from the Cloud fell in subdued
glow there could be seen the spread
ing tops of the palms and beneath
upon the soft sward the people re-
clined contentedly.
The stragglers looked at each other
with troubled, perplexed looks. What
did r mean? While they had doubt
ed God and had Jagged behind he had
led to this beautiful spot, and while
they had been enduring the discom-
forts OF the desert and drinking of
the brackish water from their skin
bottles behold before them had been
the cool fountains and the soft YER
dure OF moss and grass on which to
rest.
"See!" exclaimed Jahziel, said | not
unto thee that you should keep near
the Cloud? Surely, the Lord knew
whittier TO lead his people," and as
he said this he quickened his pace as
much as his weakened condition would
admit, while the others with him
shouted for JOY as the beautiful spot
unfolded before their eyes.
who would have thought that such
place was to be found in this bar
ren wilderness" exclaimed one.
See what abundance of water there
is" shouted another. Verify, the
palm trees are almost more than we
can count, We have not seen SO many
since leaving Egypt"
With glad shouts of rejoicing the
weary, thirsty travellers rushed for
ward end were Don seated with the
Others upon the soft, cool ground
drinking of the refreshing waters and
p%artaking of the fresh fruit from the
palms which spread their ample
branches far over their heads.
And as the realization of the de-
lights Of the place swept over them the
memory or thelr mufmuflngs and I'm"
belief crowded In upon them.
"Ah, if we had known what God had
in store for us we would not have
grown so discouraged in the way"
they exclaimed.
Yea" rejoined Moses, who CHANGED
to be near and overheard the remark,
but will We not understand that the
Lord knows whittier He would lead
you, and what We have need of? Why,
then, could ye not trust him when tho
way was hard? But rejoice now in
this. thy present blessing, for 1t is
the Lord who hath given it to thee for
thy refreshing and that ye may know
that his care is over thee for thy
good at all times"