Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-01-10

word and burn the thought into his very
soul:
God has called thee, my son, to leave
home and mother"
AS she said it she wondered il he
would understand Was he old enough
TO grasp the thought? IL the clothes
and the palace could not attract him,
would the higher appeal win his con-
sent!
Then ! will go, mother" was the
quiet, firm response.
God bless thee. my boy" was the
mothers fervid answer In the pal
ace thou shalt be trained In all the skill
and learning OF the Egyptians. and some
day-some day-perhaps you can serve
Gods poor people who are now in bitter
bondage" and the thought stirred her
heart with peculiar power
And I will. exclaimed the boy. draw
ing himself up TO his full height and
quivering In every nerve with the in
tensity OF his purpose
There was a subdued quiet in the
home that night as the family talked
over Joachim.s future.
And won't We be able TO play to-
gether any more?" anxiously inquired
Aaron, his voice breaking into a sob as
he realized what his brothers going
would mean TO him
But think" spoke up Miriam, brave
ly. as she brushed tear from her eye.
how proud We will be OF our brother.
And some day you will come back to
US. won't you. Joachim" she added. be-
seechingly. turning TO the little boy
standing so thoughtful and quiet in the
midst OF the family circle and snatching
him up In her strong young arms.
Well, we ought to be thankful that
he was spared to us. and that the
princess has left him with us until now"
Yea" interposed the husky voice OF
the father, and the same God who
spared his life so long ago will continue
TO care for him, and lead him. Let us
ask Him now" And bowed before their
God, the father lifted his voice and
pleaded the promises given to Abraham
and Isaac and Jacob; asked that the
tender boy going out OF their home
might be kept true to the God Of his IA
theirs, and that through him deliver
ance might be wrought for the enslaved
people.
Arrayed in his splendid robes Joachim
was taken to the palace next morning
by his mother and presented to the
princess. who. surrounded by her at
PENDANTS, awaited their coming. The
apartment was spacious and the vivid
frescoes and paintings on the walls pre-
scented in its various phases the life and
pleasures OF the royal family. Rich
draperies and hangings softened the
bright color effects, and great urns and
vases OF palms ana ferns and blooming
flowers were tastefully arranged about
the apartment and here and there soft
divans and roomy recesses sculptured
In the massive walls invited to rest and
repose. while before a great image in
vaulted alcove al. one side the smoked
incense lazily curled up from its brazen
urn.
Had not the inner consciousness of
the Divine presence held them both
mother and son, unused TO the mag
nlhcence and luxury and formalities of
the palace, would have been abashed
IN such regal presence, but so absorbed
were they In the thought of doing Gods
VIII that they were swayed by grace
and self-possession which no art or cul-
ture could have given them. And so II
was that the princess. instead of seeing
as she expected an awkward. trembling
confused Hebrew woman and a fright
ened, fearful youth beheld a woman.
CARRIED to be sure in the common dress
OF the Hebrew women slaves. but bear
ing herself with dignity and grace. and
by her side a handsome youth. with
frank and earnest countenance and man
iy step.
After the first glance at the mother
her eyes fixed themselves upon the boy
and she watched him with absorbed in
terest az he came towards r.. There
was an indefnable something ABOUT him
which reminded her OF the first time
she had looked upon his baby face as he
lay in the little ark in the river. a
something which had gone straight to
her heart then. and now she found the
same feeling stealing over her. Her
heart went out to him and in that mo-
ment she knew that her life and am
billions we're to be linked with those OF
the boy
This is the boy" the mother said.
simply, after they had bowed low be-
fore the princess.
My SON" spake the princess (the
mother started visibly at the words.
No one but her God knew what IL was
costing her to give him up and give
TO another the right TO call him my
son.. come hither"
Then noting the look Of deep anguish
on the face OF the mother. she added.
kindly
Thou hast indeed been faithful
Here''-taking from her arm the mas
sive jeweled bracelet and stepping
towards the mother clasping II upon her
arm-"here Is a token Of my favor. and
pledge that in me thou shalt always
have a friend. But" she added. slowly
and with emphasis. the hoy ia mine 4"