The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1906-09-08

them. But without In any sense catch.
ing the spirit Of the service exacted
OF them, and with exalted opinion as
to their Importance in the priestly
rank, they felt a sort of disdain for
the small details and exactions of
their duties.
Then, too, without realizing 1t them.
selves, they had become enamored of
the wine cup, and in their priestly
function they had found the opportu-
nifty OF gratifying their appetite. so
that more and more they had yielded
to the enticements of the sparkling
beverage.
Aaron, their father, had on one or
two occasions observed the sparkle in
their eyes and the undue citation of
their spirits, but had dismissed the
thought from his mind that 1t was
other than the natural enthusiasm
arising from their priestly service, in
fact, as fathers often are, he was
only too ready to offer excuses for his
sons and accept their conduct without
question. So it was that upon this &C.
casion when they had sighted their,
work and had carelessly laid the wood
upon the altar that he was ready to
excuse their conduct, and after his
quiet remonstrance sought to dismiss
the matter from his mind, but as we
have said, Aaron could not altogether
rid his heart OF the uneasy, troubled
| feeling growing out of this lack of
reverence and obedience on the part
of his sons.
They will come more into the spir-
1t of 1t as they perform the service"
he said to himself but the remark of
Abihu kept sounding in his ears:
What matters 1t, IL the wood is there
to consume the sacrifice?" and he
could not subdue the feelings of ap-
prehension which arose in his heart.
Thus the days sped by and on more
than one occasion following the Incl
dent with which our story opens Aaron
found 1t necessary to admonish his
sons as to the performance of their
duties.
| "One would think" Nadab exclaimed
to his brother one day, that no one
knew how to do anything right but
our father, Aaron"
"Yes, he acts as though we could
not think for ourselves" responded
Abihu.
Have we not been chosen to the
priestly Office as well as he?" ex-
claimed Nadab rising and stretching
himself to his full height as though it
was a matter of physical measure
ment and priestly robe. why, the
other day when serving in the holy
place and spoke of the place behind
the veil where the ark has been placed,
and that only once a year, could enter
the place. Why should he go there
If we cannot?" -
perhaps he fears lest we under
stand as much as he Of the Tabernacle
service"
And why should we not?"
The voice of their father at that mo-
ment cut short further conversation.
and rather ungraciously they returned
to the duties which their talk had
interrupted.
The next day the two young men
CHANGED to be in the holy place In the
course of their duties. and their ia
Their had stepped to the outer court to
attend to some details for the evening
service. The latter had been too busy
and preoccupied to notice the flushed
condition of his two sons, and that
frequently they drank from the small
skin bottle which one Of them carried
beneath the folds of his robe.
AS they moved about the small
apartment they came opposite to the
veil before the holy of holes, and
paused. The conversation of the day
before suddenly flashed across their
minds, and almost simultaneously
they exclaimed:
why should we not go within?"
But" calculated Abihu, I'VE cannot
go in hitler without our burning CEN
sers, and we cannot obtain Goals from
the altar without our father seeing
u.s."
but we may obtain fire here with
in"
Yea; but that is not according to
the law laid down by Moses"
mo, but 1t is fire, and what can be
| IHe ulucICuCCs WIN NV thC ihNChoO
burn as well?"
Satisfied by the declaration, In their
half muddled condition owing to the
wine which they had drunk, they both
entered into the plan and hastily filling
their censers and lighting them they
brushed aside the curtain separating
the holy place from the holy Of holes
and essayed to enter. 4
How little did they realize what 1t
meant to enter into the presence Of
the Lord. What slight conception had
they of his holiness, and what pride
pulled up their hearts SO as to plunge
them into this awful act of presump-
ton.
But scarcely had their feet been
placed across the threshold ere there
was flash Of light beyond the bright
ness of the sun at noon day which
sped from above the mercy seat.
Two forms fell backward, two CEN
| sers went GATHERING tn the ground