The Tupelo journal., 1906-11-16
AL Moses I'd lead us. Is there a man

pect Moses to lead us? Is there a man
in all our company here who can
endure more or go a farther days
journey than he? and dost thou not
remember how it was Moses keen
eye which discerned the movements
of our enemies, the Moabites, when
they came out against us? Let us
go to Moses and urge him to go for
ward"
This plan met the approval of the
rest. and they went at once to seek
out their leader. They found him
busy over his parchments, as he had
been since their arrival at that place;
in fact he had been seldom seen
abroad of late, and 1t was known
that he was writing the history of
his people. AS they entered he arose,
and his great, sturdy form was head
and shoulders above most of the men
there. No trace of old age in the
strong lines of that form, in that
erect carriage, in that clear, piercing
eye, in that full. powerful voice. and
if there had lurked any doubts in
the hearts of these men that Moses
was able to lead them it vanished now
in the presence of his commanding
personality. What if he was 120
years old, was not there the strength
of perfect manhood? Surely he would
continue to lead them.
With confidence, therefore, the
spokesman stepped forward and ex-
planned what had brought them to
him. told of the murmurings among
the people and their desire to push
forward to the Promised Land which
lay just ahead, and ended by urging
hat he, Moses, prepare at once to
lead them.
The brow of the leader clouded as
they proceeded, and within the deep
set eyes there came a look of trouble
and p~erplexity.
Thou knowest the words of the
Lord, how he has said that / shall
not 90 into the Promised Land and
Moses bowed his head humbly. Thou
knowest, also, that Joshua has been
chosen leader in my stead. Remem-
berest thou not the solemn service
of conservation when Got set his .ap-
prevail upon him? Thou shalt go in
and possess the land, and I-1-God
will take me-" Moses voice ended
almost in a whisper, and a deep 81
lence followed.
But faltered the n who had
spoken before, death is far from
thee. Thou art able to lead is. And
the people are eager to push on"
Il cannot Moses replied, without
raising his eyes. God has spoken
We must wait"
Wait. Wait for what?"
MY DEATH" whispered Moses, and
silently, and sadly and solemnly the
men departed.
When these words of Moses De-
came known throughout the camp
of Israel, the Impotence of the peo-
pie gave place to deep sorrow. Day
after day they waited. Moses contin-
ued busy in his tent with his manu-
! scripts, but occasionally as he moved
through the camp the eyes of the peo-
pie followed him with a sort of rev.
| erent awe. No sign of age or weak
ness there, but waiting for death.
Moses noted the looks upon the faces
of the people, and one day calling
them together in a great assembly
before the tabernacle, he said:
why should We be troubled by the
word of the Lord? Will not he deal
in love and mercy with everyone that
feareth him? Gods call brings not
| sorrow, but gladness. Did not Enoch
of old walk with God and go to be
with him? Have not Abraham and
Isaac and Jacob, Il fathers, found
rest with God? Why, then, should
we fear or sorrow when God hath
said to me: Behold, thy days ap-
proach that thou must die? The
Lord who will take me, will lead you.
Only trust him. l shall not go over
this Jordan, but l shall go to be with
God, who shall give to thee the land
he promised Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob. And Joshua shall lead thee
More days of waiting followed.
Busy days for Moses as he FASTENED
his writing. Days of discipline for
the people as they waited. No one
knew the day Moses should leave
them, and not even he knew the day
God would call.
One morning while the priests were
busy with the morning sacrifice, and
the congregation waited before the
tabernacle door, Moses appeared,
bearing in his hands the rolls of
parchment which he delivered into
the hands of the priests. Then, turn
ing toward the people, he read to
them the song of praise and testi-
mony he had written, beginning:
Give ear, o We heavens, and I
will speak; and hear, o earth, the
words of my mouth"
And as the words of the song pro-
ceeded, and the mercy and faithful
ness of God in his dealings with Is
rael were enumerated the people lis
tened with quickening hearts. And
when the reading was ended, Moses
said:
set your hearts unto ali the words
which testify among you this day,
which We shall command YOU chill
dren to observe to do, all the words
of this law. For it is not a vain thing
for you; because it is your life: and
through this thing We shall prolong
your days in the land whittier We go
over Jordan to possess it"
Then lifting his hands over the
neon1a he smoke his blessing upOn