The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-04-06

stretch out His hand. and smite Egypt
with ali his wonders"
What wonders?"
Il know not, save that God has said
that we must obey His voice and that
with this rod"-holding out the staff
in his hand-''we shall do signs as He
bids"
Aaron took the staff In his hands
and looked at it %curiously,
why, that is only your shepherds
crook, is it not? Is that the only
token of thy authority"
And is that not enough when
Gods power is manifest in itT" And
suiting the action to the word, Moses
seized the rod and cast 1t upon the
ground at Aaron's feet and instantly
1t was changed to a writhing serpent,
before which Aaron fed in terror,
Fear not. brother, for this shall
certify us before our brethren and
before Pharoah,' said Moses. COM
placently, reaching down and grasping
the tail of the reptile.
Aaron retraced HIS steps as. he saw
the venomous snake become a harm
less rod again in the hands Of his
brother, and he exclaimed:
ut is wonderful"
And If the people will not believe
because of this sign and Pharaoh will
not hearken then there is this sign
that God hath given me-"
And thrusting his hand within the
folds of his garment, he drew it out.
and it was white with leproSy.
The look of horror upon Aaron's face
as he shrank away from the loathsome
disease was changed to one Of awed
relief as he saw his brother again
put the hand into his bosom and draw
1t forth restored like the other. He
dropped to his knees and grasped the
hem of Moses mantle, saying as he did
SO, in a hoarse whisper:
Thou hast the power Of a god"
NAY, my brother, say not so. Arise.
It is Gods power. 1t is the thing
which God has shown me here In the
mount"
Surely, then, the cry OF the OPP
pressed people has gone up to God and
He will remember His promises given
unto them" Aaron said. earnestly
Think you, then, that 1hey will re-
ceive me?" Moses queried, anxiously,
as he recalled how they had turned
against him years before when he had
sought to help them.
Yea, they surely will believe thou
art sent of God when they behold
these signs which thou doest, but |
fear Pharaoh will not hearken l.
you, and he will call upon his priests
to do their wonders and discredit you.
And they are exceedingly clever. as
thou kDowest," he added, by way Of
emphasis.
Moses nodded in assent, while an
anxious. troubled look crossed his
face. He trembled at the thought of
going before the great and terrible
Pharaoh and demanding that he let
the Hebrew people go. But at the
thought of God, and His r~eassuring
words, he reached out his hand eager
ly and grasped Aaron's in strong.
warm embrace, saying:
But God will stand with US, broth
opP Won will rnf fan =. tp rn with ,S,n OF
mo" was the hearty response.
And thou shalt be my spokesman,
for 1t Is 40 years since left Egypt,
and | am slow of speech In that tongue
now
Il will"
The two men stood for some mo-
ments In silence. The quiet Stiffness
of nature about them was akin to the
spirit of sweet, holy calm which filled
their hearts. 1t was such an experience
as God graciously gives to those whom
He has called to perform some great mis-
sion for Him, and they felt the note of
gratitude rising in their hearts.
THE Lord be praised" Aaron said.
fervently. Surely, He hath led me
this day."
Yea, the Lord be praised" echoed
Moses, "for He, too, hath led me, and
me to tarry in this place when
zipporah would have had me push for
And who is z%ipporah?" questioned
looking up quickly.
"Zipporah?" repeated Moses, for the
moment startled at the question. "Ol,
Of course you do not know. ZipporaA
is my wife, the daughter of Jethro,
prince of indian. whom | married
since coming into this place" And
he went on to recount all that had
befallen him since leaving Goshen.
And you would take her back with
you to Egypt" Aaron asked, a trout
bled look coming into his face.
"She is eager to 60"
But it will only bring sorrow and
suffering upon her, and will hamper
you In your work"
Il had not thought of that" Moses
slowly and t~houghtfully. Blu.
,ome, we must be going" ne added, as
he noted the frightening shadows.
The darkness will soon be upon us.
Next morning the camp at the foot
II the mountain was broken up with
In Grnt nMi M M ri IL nr NJ dnrrIisIL --.i /