The Tupelo journal., 1906-03-16


and try to bring his people to that
place. He declares positively that He
brew records show that the time is al
hand when deliverance is to come, in
fact he has read to me from manu-
scripts-discovered, he claims, in tht
tomb of a certain Joseph, II. OF theil
ancestors, who was a great ruler IN
Egypt-which go to prove his point
Jethro paused, lost in thought, and
then he burst out with:
That man believes in the same Goo
we do. Our God is the God of Abra
ham. We have always cherished the
faith of our ancestor, but it is very
evident that Moses has much knowl-
edge of this God which we have not
l wish he would tarry with us, for
would like to learn more. And his
plans seem folly to me. Even IL he
could get his people out of Egypt
what would he do with them in Ca.
naan, face to face with organized ma
tions and their trained armies.
have pointed out to him how unpre
pared his people would be, oppressed
and hampered as they have been IL
their slavery, and l think he was i'm
pressed with the thought. In fact
he has gone off to mediate over the
matter"
"A pretty mess you are going te
make out of it! Do you know what
his staying means? Do you want 6
vagabond Hebrew, or Egyptian, what
ever he may call himself, for a son
in-law? What has he to offer in
dower?"
What do you mean?" asked Jeth
ro, deeply perplexed. who said any
thing about his marrying one of oul
daughters?"
who, indeed, need to speak wher
the glances and manner of Zipporal
betray it all?" And she went on tc
tell all she had observed that day.
But such thought is farthest from
Moses mind, l feel sure, and if he
should remain, it would be with the
thought and purpose of waiting tC
prepare for the deliverance of hi:
people,"
THAT all may be true, but he will
learn the other lesson fast enough
she exclaimed, impatiently, as she
turned about and left her husband
Thus the day wore away, and Moses
all unconscious of the division he was
causing in the home of Jethro, had
wandered to a small grove some dis
tance from the house.
Il cannot but feel that Jethro has
spoken wisely" he said half aloud to
himself, as he paced to and fro
through the lane Of trees. II had not
considered how ill-prepared my people
would be to push on to Canaan. Must
l again change my plans? When ]
became conscious of a call to serve my
people and went forth to them, l found
1 must flee for my life instead. Then
when the way seemed plain to me, and
l had set forth to search out Canaan
and had purposed to prepare to lead
my people thither there m this
man Jethro into my life to point Out
the apparent folly of my course. What
would God have me do? Must | wall
here while my people suffer? Oh
God. make the way plain!" he halt
sobbed, stopping short and lifting his
eyes toward Heaven.
Then the question rose in his mind
Are my people ready for deliver
ance? Am l ready to lead them:
Will not God prepare the way, even
as He will deliver when His appoint.
ed time comes?"
With the questions came a new faith
in God and a willingness to wait upon
Him.
"Jethro is right" he exclaimed, as 6
his heart. God hath spoken through
him. l will not go on to Canaan. ]
will wait here until God makes the
way plain, and leads me back to my
people"
AS he spoke the words there came
a half-stifled scream Of joy from the
clump of bushes at one side, and
glancing quickly in that direction he
caught a glipse of Zipporah's face
He made one move towards her, when
with a frightened, embarrassed look
she turned and fled from him.
What would he think of herr" she
asked herself. Would he think she
was spying upon him."
When her mother had dismissed her
she had sought the solitude of the
woods, and it was not her fault tina,
later Moses had invaded her retreat
She had not dared make her presence
known, thinking that Moses would
pass on and then she could steal quiet
ly away. Thus she had been forced
to listen as he talked to himself, and
when he had said: 81 will wait here
her poor breaking heart could not re
press the cry Of joy which welled to
her lips. And now he had heard and
seen her. What would he think?
Thus she questioned as she spec
along. By way of answer there came
the sound Of rapid footsteps following
her, and she quickened her pace and
would have made good her escape, had
not a ~treacherous fallen branch beer
in her way and tripped her. Before she
had time to gain her feet, Moses was
at her side and as he lifted her in his
great, strong arms, he said, laughing
ly:
"My little bird almost escaped M
that time. Did I brighten you?"