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

Nf\\ASJ every hand tn
NJ hot, barren sands
stretched away before them save away
in the distance there rose a Jagged
line of rock, which looked even more
forbidding than the level wastes, fol
It seemed to bar their passage ant
shut them in to the ~desolation about
them.
The recent blessing at Marah, where
God had healed the bitter waters and
satisfied their thirst, was too fresh
in mind for them TO murmur or ques,
ton the way in which the Cloud was
leadingthem, butneyertheless there wal
that impatient frstfulness which arises
from physical discomfort and the I'M
certainty of what lies ahead. Thus il
was that qu~estionings began to rise
in their hearts,
Why could they not encamp right
where they were? What need of jour
neying farther when as fas as the eye
could see there were no cheering signs
of shade or water? Why was the
Cloud leading on and on? Had
God forgotten them? Was he unmind.
full of their WEAKNESS?
Such were the thoughts and ques-
lions which troubled them more and
more as the afternoon wore away and
the sui neared the horizon, and eyes
which all day long had been unmind-
full of the Cloud now were lifted in
eager, impatient watchfulness. When
would II cease its motion? They would
be grateful for the privilege of resting
there in the very heart of the desert
waste, they thought.
But still the Cloud led on, and gave
no sign of resting, and farther and
farther in the Tea Jagged the reluct-
ant people, until at last Moses and
Aaron and but part of the people were
found in close company with the
Cloud, To these there was something
cheering in the presence of the Cloud,
a sort Of fellowship which brought
contentment and confidence in the way
that lay before them, But to the rest
following afar off there came no such
reinsurance, and it was not hard for
doubts and q~uestionings to find lodg-
ment in their hearts, Is is always the
cas when the soul Journeys far from
its Lord and reluctantly treads the
pathway marked out,
Away in the rear was one group OF
travellers that seemed especially down
cast and troubled, and among whom
the dissension seemed sharpest,
Would that | were with JahzieI,"
exclaimed one.
Yea, and who knows but that even
now he may be resting under those
fair palm trees we saw in the dis
tance," responded another, and at
the thought he sighed YEARLY, for
to the soul that doubts there comes the
Illusion that the place far away from
Gods side Is the place most to be de-
sired.
Since Jahziel's departure from their
midst at Marah, when he had discov-
cred that the waters were unfit to
drink, they had not ceased to follow
him in restless longing, picturing to
their hearts that his lot was freer and
better than theirs. And now with the
WEAKNESS Of the journey heavy upon
them they turned their thoughts in re-
newed yearning back to him and
wished that they had followed their
first impulses and gone with him.
1--WE could have Jared little worse
had we gone with him." broke in the
first speaker again, and at least we
should have been able to have paused
in the journey when weary"
But we should not forget what our
God did for us at Maran," spoke up
a third, timidly, as though fearing he
might offend in reminding his breth-
rem OF the blessing they had received
at Gods hands. Surely, if Jahziel
found not the springs of water for
which he went in search, he might bet
ter have remained and drank of the
healed waters of Marah."
True, and Marah even with its BIT
ter water was to be preferred to this
barren way. What lies before us bu.
the parching sands of the desert?" and
as the last speaker uttered the words
he raised his eyes and pointed in the
direction before them.
why he exclaimed, as he looked
and suddenly realized that while they
had Jagged behind the Cloud had quite
passed out Of their sight beyond the
line of rugged rocks in the distance.
why, where is the Cloud? On and
IN It goes as though there were no
weary limbs seeking to follow It. All,
WELL" he added, half cheerfully, now
at least we shall be able to go leisure
ly and come up with It as We may
wish"
Thus finding a certain comfort in the
freedom of their own wilfulness, they
proceeded slowly upon their way,
keeping along the route followed by
the Cloud by watching the struggling
line of people far in their lead. Thus
It was that they journeyed until as
the evening shadows began to deepen
and the Cloud was still invisible, the
people in nervous haste quickened
their tagging footsteps, but when they
had proceeded to a point where. they
we're able to see in the distance the
glow Of the Pillar of fire which rested
over the camp, they again let their
footsteps lag.
For why need we hurry? What
Will |. profit us to come quickly to the
cs.mp?" they reasoned among them
selves.
Thus they fingered willfully behind,
not seeing because of the darkness
TINT Il the place where the Cloud now