The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-05-11

HELM FAh55L. Nile had begun.
WV VIII Memphis was
emptying her gayly-decked crowds out
upon the rivers brink. The coming OF
Pharaoh with his royal r%etinue, and
preceded by the priests of the great
temple was the signal for an outburst
of enthusiasm and great rejoicing AS
the immense wooden image of the river
god, Apis, borne aloft in the midst OF
the company of priests, passed, the peo-
pie bowed in reyerent awe, and then
falling in behind the king and his at
tendants, the procession moved down
to the rivers brink, The people caught
up the song of the priests and chanted
with them:
Hail, 0 Nile, thou contest forth over
this land; thou contest in peace, giving
life to Egypt, 0 hidden god!"
The place selected for the ceremonies
of blessing the waters of the Nile was a
large and beautiful garden extending
along the banks of the river for some
distance. Here 1t was that Pharaoh
came for his daily ablutions, and none
might enter within the borders of the
place. But once a year upon the occasion
of he greatest festival the beautiful
grounds were thrown open to the peo-
ple. 1t was a gala day and following
the ceremonies at the rivers brink and
after the return of the king to his pal
ace, the people would linger for the
dancing and feasting that filled the day.
The procession moved forward to The
point where Pharaoh's throne had been
set. The spirits Of the people ran high,
and they watched the movements OF
the priests, expectantly. The latter
placed the image of Apis on the pedestal
at the brink of the river before the
throne and then separated, while
Pharaoh moved down the isle thus
formed and took his place upon the
throne.
Then again the song of the priests
was raised as they chanted their hymn,
Hail, 0 Nile" the words rang out on
the air and foated over the waters of
the peaceful and beautiful river whose
surface hecked and sparkled in the
bright sunshine and seemed to flash
back it's greeting:
Hail, 0 Nile" they sang, and then
stopped abruptly as they saw the king
rise suddenly, and with an expression
on his face of half anger, half con-
sternation, point towards two figures
which were advancing from behind the
pedestal on which the image of Apis
had been placed.
The song was forgotten, an oppres-
sive, nervous hush fell upon the thrOng,
and all eyes were turned in the direc-
ton in which the king was looking.
Slowly, and with a self-possession and
dignity that held the king, his courtiers
and priests. spell bound, the two men
moved and came and stood before the
throne. Pharaoh sank back into his
place upon the throne, but he spake no
word, for establishment and anger, and
apprehension which struggled for the
mastery within rendered him speech
less. And the priests and attendants
likewise made no move.
tits Moses and Aaron" whispered
one of the court attendants, uneasily.
YES" responded his companion, the
apprehension he felt sounding in his
voice. What brings them here, /
wonder?"
See" exclaimed the first speaker,
"Moses has his rod with him! My, were
not the kings magicians chagrined and
~astonished yesterday when Moses rep
tile swallowed up theirs?"
"And did you note the effect On
Pharaoh? He seemed troubled when
his magicians were unable to recover
their reptiles"
Eyes. but his anger seemed rather
against Moses and Aaron than against
his W magicians, and | wonder that
the former have dared come into his
presence again. But listen. Moses Is
speaking" and the two strained their
ears to catch his words.
1.-THE Lord God of the Hebrews hath
sent me unto thee" Moses said, and
then paused.
Pharaoh's brow darkened and his
lip curled with scorn as he said:
"Who is the God Of the Hebrews that
| should listen unto Him." and way
ing his hand towards the image before
him and then with a sweep of his arm
taking in the expanse of placid waters
that stretched away in every direction,
he added: Behold Egypt's god whom
to-day we honor. Darest thou at such a
time come and speak In the name of thy
god?"
"Sacrilege,' angrily muttered the
priests and they would have leaped
upon Moses and Aaron and driven them
from the place had not some unseen in
fuence held them back.
Undaunted by the angry looks cast
upon them, or the words of the king,
Noses again spoke:
1.-THE Lord God Of the Hebrews hath
sent me unto thee. saying: Let my
people go, that they may serve me in
the vii ness And behold, hitherto
thou wouldst not hear. Therefore,
thus saith the Lord: In this thou shalt
know that I am the Lord"
Moses paused, while Pharaoh, amazed
at the boldness OF the man, sat speech
less but watching with intensity his
every move.
Behold" Moses continued. at the
same time raising the rod In his hand
high above his head, and slowly sweep
ing 1t out towards the waters much as
Pharaoh had just done. behold, I will
smite with the rod that is in mine hand
--
This Is part of an Ancient Egyptian
ecngt probably written about the time OF
Ne Exodus.