Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-05-02

Mo- he had just come
'."'"' and turned in to-
wards the low entrance to the rude hut.
The door was flung open before he
reached it, and a voice called out:
You are late, Moses! What success?'
Poor. Aaron, poor!' Moses replied.
dejectedly, entering and throwing him
self on the rough bench by the door
"Elishama will not come, and others OF
the elders whom | have seen are only
half hearted in their responses. But
how was it with your"
Little better, | fear. than with you"
was the dubious reply. None whom
have seen have refused to come, but
there is much depression of spirits. The
oppression has been so long and bitter
that the people have quite given up
hope. But what of Elishama? Gave
he Jou no encouragement"
None, whatever He declares that
hope died within him years ago when
his son. Nun, was killed and his grand
son, Joshua, was taken from him. The
subject was so evidently painful to him
that forebore questioning him concern
Ing the matter. Know you the details?"
That do, and sad they are, indeed"
Aaron replied. Let us see" he CON
tinued. thoughtfully, ut is nearly %
years ago that Nun was brutality slain by
the Egyptian. You remember Num-"
Moses nodded. and Aaron went on.
sI2wly.
He was deeply interested in your
discoveries at Joseph's tomb. and after
your flight was Jealous in teaching the
people of his tribe Of God and Gods
promises to His people. Thus the years
went by, and in spite of the bitter OPP
preston ha continued to hope. In some
way il req ched the ears of one of the
Egyptian oVerseers that he was encour-
aging the people to look for deliverance
from bondage, and seeking him out the
Egyptian demanded that he cease to so
teach the people. This he refused to do,
and so bravely withctood the Egyptian
that the latter flew into a towering rage
and slew him on the spot. This proved
a severe shock 10 his father. Elishama.
and embittered his heart against God.
And when year later his grandson.
Joshua, a noble youth of some 90 years.
was seized and carried off by an Egyp-
tian official living far to the south who
had been attracted by the manly bear
Ing Of the boy and coveted him as e
servant In his household, he was incon-
solable. No word has ever been heard
Of the boy since. and as the years have
come and gone Elishama has grown
more mOrose and taciturn And am not
surprised that you did not prevail upon
him to meet with the elders tonight.
But had hoped that he would yield. for
as head of the tribe OF Ephraim we shall
need his help"
THE outlook! IS not bright. but we
will have to do the best we can and leave
the rest with Cod" Moses remarked
breaking the silence which followed
Aaron's story. 81 had not expected TO
find the people so dispirited. WHY ia
it?"
i have been surprised and puzzled bv
the conditions. for had expected that
with your return the people would be
filled with enthusiasm. but last night
think | learned the reason" Aaron re-
piled. 1T seems that after nv de-
parture for you the impression got
abroad among the people that during
your long absence you had obtained the
neIp OF some strong ally and were TO
return and by mighty hand wrest do
liverance from Egypt. And when Won
came with your staff and simple shep-
nerds dress Of the east. the people lost
heart. saying: How can deliverance
ever come with such a leader?'"
An anxious, troubled look crossed
Moses face, but II soon gave place to one
or hope and cheer. as he said:
But when they see the signs they
will believe. God is mightier than all
the armies Of the east"
What signs2" asked EIisbeba
Aarons wife, who had been listening at
tentiveiy TO the conversation Of the two
men
The signs which God gave to me In
he mount" Moses replied.
Surely, the people will believe " ex-
claimed Elisheba. after she had heard
the story, but many times during the
day her heart misRave her as she
thought of Elishama. What n others OF
the leaders refused to come as did he?
And she racked her brain TO try and
think Of come way In which she might
overcome Elishama's obduracy. she
knew that further argument was usa.
sss. for Moses had pleaded with him
nd Aaron In the afternoon had visited
ohn IN last effort 10 win him over
AVaat could she do As the afterroop
"aHed and the evening shadows beean
u vaiher. sic became more seifated
over bematter and The conviction ereu,
upon Nr that she must sonebou 90.
Elishama 10 re meeting that nip5t
A knock az the door interr,pie5 bo-
troubled thOuS IT. I'D she o.ened d. 80