The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1906-07-20


For why need we hurry? What
will It profit us to come quickly to the
camp" they reasoned among them
selves.
Thus they fingered Willfully behind,
not seeing because of the darkness
that il the place where the Cloud now
rested there were palm trees, with
their never failing springs Of water.
And while they tarried there over
took them haggard, weary group Of
men, and as they staggered into their
midst some one raised the cry:
1T is Jahziel. 1t is Jahziel!"
Excitedly the people gathered about
the newcomers, who struggled with
parched, swollen tongues to utter the
one word: Water"
And when they had given them Of
their scant supply and they could
speak coherently, 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, encouragingly. pointing to the
glowing Pillar In the distance.
Then let us get thitheT as quickly
as possible" Jahziel urged, appealing
ly, starting forward as he spoke.
What shall it profit us if we do?"
was tho impatient reply Of the others.
SIS it not all about US desert? What
shall We find there that We have not
here?"
1--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?"
Jahziel shook his head, sadly.
and the Lord healed the waters at
Marah, so that we drank and were re-
freshed," said one to him.
The distress of Jahziel's face deep
ened at these words.
And l did not drink Of the waters
there as J 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 near 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 il 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 or 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 10
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.
rem Wiiderness?" 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 and were soon seated with the
others upon the soft, cool ground
| drinking of the refreshing waters and
partaking 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 of their murmurings and un-
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