The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-06-22

W ''I ~ vows n,,t mot
ural that the Egyptians in their grief
for there was no house where their
was not at least one dead, SHOULD
charge the calamity which had taller
upon them to Moses and his people. II
fact, it was known generally thai
Moses had warned the king that unless
he would let the Hebrews go the hand
of their GOD would be heavy upon the
land OF Egypt, and sc in that awful
midnight hour, when death claimed the
frstborn in every household and the
living in wild terror We're wailing over
their dead, the cry went up every
where: ut is the vengeance of Moses
God! Except the Hebrew people go
we be all dead men!"
With a superstitious fear they had
watched Moses arrival at the palace,
and upon his departure after his utter
view with Pharaoh they had followed
him at a distance, and as they talked
excitedly among themselves he caught
the words:
Goshen" and Settle with He
brews."
Light was just beginning to break in
the east as he returned, but not a soul
was stirring about in Goshen. The
doors to the rude huts of the PEOPLE
were still shut as Moses had directed,
and the blood marks on the top and
sides stood out in the dim light in bold
relief.
Moses as he passed along to the
place appointed where he was to meet
the elders of Israel ere the start was
made was deeply moved by the sight
of the blood, and he could not help but
draw the sharp contrast there was be-
tween Egypt and Goshen.
In the former place every home had
Its dead and its great grief. In Goshen
every home was sheltered under the
blood and there was life and great ex-
p%ectatiOn there.
In Egypt the people feared before
the great and powerful God of the He
brews who had made as nothing before
Him all the gods of the Egyptians. In
Goshen the people bowed in reverence
and faith before the God who had
come down to deliver them from their
bondage.
In Egypt Pharaoh and his people
were suffering the last and terrible
Judgment of God for refusal to hear
and obey His voice. In Goshen Moses
and his people were rejoicing in the
blessing of God which was to be the
reward of patient endurance until the
fullness of Gods time had come.
1T is wonderful, marveIoust" Moses
exclaimed. There is the blood, the
sign Of Gods mercy, the evidence of
His faithfulness in keeping His word
given unto Abraham, Isaac and ia
cob" And then, turning to Aaron.
who had been walking silently by his
side, for he too had been to the palace,
he said; How could we have ever
doubted God?"
But we have waited a long time for
the fulfillment of Gods promises, and
the way has been long and trying" re-
piled his brother.
yea" was the response, "hUt it is
all plain to me nov How necessary
was the discipline for our people. How
they have been led step by step to put
more and more confidence in God. And
how patient has He been with Pharaoh
in trying to win his consent to let our
people go to worship in the wilder
ness. Surely, Gods way was best"
But we are not out of Egypt vet,
and I fear the Egyptians are plotting
some mischief. Thou knowest their
looks as We passed by on our way from
the palace, and their Words"
Moses nodded assent, while the trou-
bled look again overspread mis- tea +
lures. ,
I'VE have the permission, nay more. :
the command, of Pharaoh, that We ue- r
part with our little ones and our locks !
and herds and all that we have" he +
said, after a silence, "and our reople +
are all ready for the journey. Come, q
let us hasten that no time now be Q
lost. See, the elders are waiting our r
coming, even now, and he quickened
his steps. :;
Who are those coming yonler?" 2
exclaimed, suddenly, pointing e
a company of men In the dis O
bearing some burden between t.
them. h
Moses turned" his eyes in the direc- IL
ion Aaron indicated, and his quick
glance took in the situation. S,
An, these are the faithful men of ID
he tribe Of Ephraim, who have already e
1een to the tomb OF Joseph and Sc n
cured the coffin containing his bones. r
hat they may carry it back with IL
n,
"Joseph's bones" repeated Aaron, Fl
houghtfully. Il had forgotten them,
nut now recall Joseph's charge con- II
them" 81
Yes" replied Moses, more cheerful Ii
y, and is not this another sign that VI
We shall now go out in peace, even as ey
oseph prophesied we should?" Dc
Yes admitted Aaron somewhot re- je
.lctantly, but we may still have to tn
eckon with the Egyptians. I feel GER
ain that they are about to follow us an
nd may seek to detain u.s." sa
well, we shall have to wait and in
ee, but of this l am confident, that pr
Is able to lead us out even as he
as thus far prepared the way no
The sun had not yet risen when the nc
osts Of the children of Israel were
altered by families and tribes and d.
isions, ready to begin the journey. By