The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1906-06-22
children care free and happy and ex-

gled with the glad songs of the birds
which fitted through the air.
How little the people realized the fall
portent of that movement Yes, they
knew they were going to land prom
ised the patriarchS, Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob, whose children they were.
They understood that the God of Abra
ham was different than the gods Of
Egypt and the nations about. They in
a vague, uncertain way grasped the
thought OF Gods presence with them,
and in reverent awe they had slain the
lamb and placed its blood above and
on either side of the door, knowing
that this sacrifice in some way made
difference between them and the
Egyptians and gave them protection
from the angel of death as he passed
through the land. They knew that
from now on they were to begin a new
life, and were to become a nation, But
as for entering into the larger thought
and plan of God for them and for the
world, they could not, even as rhe lit
tie child is unable to understand or
realize the hopes and plans and pur-
poses which the parents in loving wis
dom and fOrethought cherish Sor him.
But that people gathered there was
type, figure, of that larger denver
anCe which God was to accomplish
through the Christ. The lamb slain
gave shelter under its blood to the
children Of Israel, and the Lamb OF
God slain from the foundation or the
world" was to give shelter to a Orld
in bondage to sin. And Israel lei out
Of bondage, after redemption under the
blood, was but an example Of what God
is doing for needy souls to-day as He
gives them salvation through the blood
of Jesus Christ and leads them out and
away from the old land of sin to the
promised land of His privilege and
blessing.
Again the blast of the horn is heard,
and slowly that vast assemblage Of
people begins to move forward under
the direction of the leaders. The prep
arations and the excitement have so
engaged the attention of the people
that they have not observed in the dis
lance the approach of large stray
Cling group of people. They came for
ward in great, irregular line, aupar-
emily unguided by any leader, but each
moved by the impulse to go in COM
mon direction. Thus they proceeded
and had reached a point not far dis
tant from the stretching line Of the
Hebrews when the eyes of Moses and
the other leaders fell upon them. caus-
ing them to stop suddenly. The COM
mands which were being given died
away on their lips. They trembled with
apprehension. The people, noting the
actions and looks of their leaders,
turned their eyes in the same direc-
ton, and at the sight of the advancing
multitudes, singly and in pairs and in
groups, they turned as though to fee,
crying at the same time:
"The Egyptians are upon u.s."
But as they saw their little ones
clinging about them, and the fiocks and
herds in their midst, and numbered as
they were with their baggage, they
huddled together like a great flock Of
frightened helpless sheep.
Moses stepped forward quickly to.
wards the advancing lines of Egyp
tians and demanded:
What brings you thither? The
Lord has commanded that we go into
the wilderness to serve Him, and
Pharaoh has given his consent. Why
then this demonstration against u.s."
"We be not come to hinder you and
your people," was the cry, But Father
are we come that we may urge your
going, for If thou remain longer in the
land, Egypt will contain none bur the
dead, for this night a terrible thing
has happened in Egypt and there is no
house where the dead are not. Haste,
then, and get you out from this land,
for we fear thy God, that His wrath
be stayed against u.s."
Moses breathed easier at the hearing
of these words, and the fear left the
people as quickly as it had come.
What are these things which thou
art bearing in thy hands?" Noses
again demanded, as he noted that each
Egyptian was carrying some article or
other, and that they were not weapons,
as the first frightened glances had
made it appear.
For answer the people with one ac-
cord rushed forward and cast their
burdens at the feet of the Israalites,
who looked on in speeches. amaze
ment. There was the glitter and glis-
ten of gold and silver, and as it was
cast upon the ground the precious
metals gave out their CHEEKY ring.
There was choice raiment without
limit, which was in striking contrast
to the homely, coarse garments which
the Hebrews wore. And there were
other articles which would bring great.
er comfort and ease on the Journey.