The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-01-19
Moses the Prince
Of the Palace
PART II.
OUR BIBLE STORY by the
Highway and Byway" Preacher
"A Vision Between the Line: Of Gods
Inspired VERDI
tcopyrlght, lsO5, by J. b, BOwles.I

l kIt", dua EhC AA4S lllShsIll iSN6' A"@
unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became
her son. And she called his name Moses;
and she said. Because / drew him out OF
the water."-Ex. 2:lo.
"And Moses was learned in all the wis
dom Of the Egyptians, and was mighty in
words and deeds."-Acts 7:22.
His name shall no longer be Joa-
chin, but Noses"
The clear voice of the princess
echoed throughout the vast corridors
of the great temple whittier she had
gone with the boy the morning after
his advent at the palace. 1t was
his first glimpse of the interior
of the temple. His childish eyes
had often gazed in wonder at
the huge pile as it doomed up
against the sky, visible in the distance
from his humble home, and he had ques-
toned his mother many times re-
garding it.
But the words His name shall no
longer be Joachim, but Noses" ar
rested his attention, and he looked up
| iuANhly w Ahu AAS NgSo vi pphh LhS
princess and the priest fixed upon
him. The color mounted his cheeks,
and he felt confused and strange, but
the smile of the princess treasured
him, as she said: Thou art Moses,
now; for l drew thee out of the
water"
Why was 1t that he felt no resent
ment at the change? Why was he
beginning so soon to yield unques-
tioningly to her control? Was it be-
cause she unconsciously and he con-
sciously was being led by the Divine
Presence? Perhaps. Sure it was that
he felt drawn toward her,
His reply to the princess words was
the shy placing of his hand into hers,
as though he would say: ut is all
right. You may call me Moses"
When the arrangements had been
made for the education of the boy, the
princess returned with him to the pal
ace. She was proud of the handsome
boy as he walked by her side, and
many were the glances in his direc-
ton.
In the palace and among the cour-
tiers Of the realm the young protege
of the kings daughter was also ere,
ating much talk and discussion.
The daily visit to the temple soon
accustomed the boy to the sight of
Mic tba conrod h,,ll with b;c ioun1od
trappings, to the swinging censers
before the stone images, to the in
carnations and the worship Of the
people. And not long after his ad.
vent at the palace the festival in
honor of Apis, the most striking and
imposing among all the religious
ceremonies Of the Egyptians, was held.
The festivities lasted throughout
seven days, and great m%ultitudes of
people iocked to the temple to share
in the worship and alteration Of Apis,
the sacred bull, the embodiment of
Osiris, the great god Of the Egyptians.
Daily the professions passed through
the streets carrying sometimes the
sacred shrines on long slaves, at 9TH
ers. the statues of the gods, or the
arks, on which rested the sacred
beetle, overshadowed by the wings of
the goddess Of truth.
The princess entered enthusiastically
into the celebration, for she was natu-
rally of a very devout disposition, and
being anxious that Moses might share
with her in her religious moods, shetook
every pains to have him see and hear all
that was possible. 1t never occurred
to her that the little boy at her side
had formed religious opinions that
would be hard for her to shake. She
did not know then Of the earnest
training which his mother had given
him. She did not understand that the
early years of the child's life were the
fruitful years Of religious seed SOW
ing, and that no amount OF effort or
influence of later years could root out
or overcome the impressions and con-
victlons then created.
AS she observed his thoughtful face
and noted that his watchful eye took
In every detail Of the festivities, she
misunderstood, and fattered herself
that his spirit was worshiping with
hers, and devoutly paying tribute to
the great god Osiris. Her heart was
deeply stirred by the thought, and,
moved by a sudden impulse, she sent
her maids for the finest lotus and
| papyrus flowers they could find, and
then accompanied by the boy she took
them to the temple and placed them
on the altar as a special offering Of
thanksgiving.
This done, she turned and bowed
down before the sacred bull, and by
the gentle pressure of her hand sought
to have Moses take a like posture. But
the little frame was rigid.
At first she thought the boy, awed
and confused by the great temple and
Its service, had misunderstood, and
sought by whispered word and strong
er pressure Of her hand to have him
bow with her.
But still he stood firm and unyield.
ing, sturdily resisting the stronger
| pressure OF her hand.
There was no misunderstanding that
| rigid little body. The princess vas
| astounded, and soon surprise gave
| place to anger, and as she lifted her