The commonwealth., 1906-09-28

ana II WIS not long until all Israel
had heard the talk against Moses be.
cause he had taken his wife from
among an ncircumcised people Such
criticism gave rise in the minds Of
the people 10 questions as to Noses
authority, and after a few days it be-
came apparent that Moses influence
and authority with the people were
waning.
Pleased with the apparent success
or their plans, Miriam and Aaron grew
holder, and they spoke openly to the
people, saying;
Hath the Lord indeed spoken only
by Moses? Hath he not spoken also
by us?'
And this became a popuIar saving
among the people: Hath not the Lord
spoken by Miriam and Aaron. Also"
And when it became nosed about that
the Lord had called Moses and Aaron
and Miriam to the tabernacle. the peo.
pie shook their heads and said:
Now shall We see what Moses will
! have to say to these things" for not.
Wtthstandtns the talk and the grow.
ing feeling against Moses, he had
made no reply, but quietly and patient
Iy endured the reproachcs which were
heaped upon him.
God will vindiCate his servant. he
said, simply, TO his wife one day. who
was grieved and troubled by the feel
ings against her. and had been urging
Moses to take some strong measures
against his enemies. Il can wait"
And when the call came from God TO
meet him in the tabernacle he knew
that God had heard and would helm.
EXpectantly the people waited while
the three were in the tabernacle. They
had watched while Miriam proud and
selt-contident, had passed through the
camp and entered the court before the
tabernacle. At her side had walked
Aaron, as proud and bold as she. and
the people had marked their bearing.
and again took up the cry:
Hath not God also spoken by
Miriam and Aaron?"
During this demonstration Moses |
appeared, and the cry was checked as
the people noted the bowed head of
their leader, which turned neither to
the right hand or the left as he pro.
ceeded towards the tabernacle and
disappeared through the gateway to
the court before the tabernacle whith.
er Miriam and Aaron had Just gone
The waiting people saw the pillar
OF cloud move and settle down be.
fore the door of the tabernacle, and
they heard the sound as of thunder
while God talked with the three.
Then after what seemed to the peo.
pie long time the cloud lifted and
moved to its accustomed place, and
they knew that the Lord had finished
speaking, and that soon their leaders
would appear. The friends and follow
3rs Of Miriam drew near. confident.
2Xpoctant, for had she not told them
10 be there to receive her. But she
came not.
A strange silence brooded around
he tabernacle. What could It mean?
As the cloud had lifted and withdrawn
hey thought they had heard a cry
1ut tnere naa Uoue nusrurUHera sotIiI,i.g b.
The people became more and more
lervous and apprehcnsivo. What had
lappened? Anxiously they watched
he entrance to the tabernacle court,
md Just when it seemed as though I
hey could stand the tense strain no
onger, Miriam was seen to come from
he gateway. +
With a shout Of glad welcome her
riends rushed forward to meet her. I
n their excitement they did not no. I
ice that the head which had been
leld so proudly erect when she had c
ntcred was now bowed low, and that |
he stately, dignifed walk had given I
lace to a slow, uncertain tread. On, e
n came the people, and suddenly as l
hey drew near, they heard the cry: l
"Unclean, Unclean," end as their '
tartled eyes looked more closely, they c
aw that the flowing cloak had been |
rawn about the head and the arms 0
we're raised as though to warn them II
ack. I
"UDclean! Unclean!" again came 6
he cry.
Horror stricken the people fell back. a
very eye was riveted upon that dark
)rm as It moved along Not sound n
'as heard except the one cry: "Un- Il
lean! Unclean!" The people scarce a
7 breathed in the intensity of their h
motions. without moving or at o
ampting to follow, they watched the II
gure pass on out of the camp. Could a
hat be Miriam? What dreadful thing 0
ad happened?
And while the people thus ques- "
oncd in their hearts, Aaron came Il
nd told them the sad story. p
1T is the judgment Of the Lord"
lcy whispered to each other in awed +
hjspers, as they turned to depart 81
their tents. Surely Moses is our a.
ader," h
And as they lifted up their eyes and n
okcd in the direction Of the tabcr- br
lcIc, through the open gateway, they m
Nv their leader bowed before the al y
r in prayer, and exclaimed; Il
"Thc Lord is gracious, for he has h,
ard his prayer, and Miriam shall be
stored to US in seven days" Sc
lnebriety and Eating Of Fruit. pt
There is but one sure cure for the
linking disease or habit, and that Is m