The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1906-05-11

"%NItn MI in honor of the
BEJR 4h..t, Nile had begun.
MT w.. Memphis was
emptying her gayly-decked crowds out
upon the rivers brink. The coming OF
Pharaoh with his royal retlnue, and
preceded by the priests of the great
temple was the signal for an outburst
of enthusiasm and great rejoicing. AS
the immense wooden image Of the river
god, Apis. borne aloft in the midst OF
She company of priests, passed, the peo-
pie bowed in reyerent awe, and then
falling in behind the king and his at
PENDANTS, the procession moved down
TO the rivers brink. The people caught
up the song of the priests and chanted
with them.
"Hail, o Nile, thou contest forth over
this land; thou contest in peace, giving
life to Egypt, 0 hidden g"G!"
The place selected for the ceremonies
@ blessing the waters of the Nile was
large and beautiful garden extending
along the banks OF tie river for some
distance. Here it was that Pharaoh
came for his daily additions, and none
might enter within the borders Of the
place. But once a year upon the occasion
of the greatest festival the beautiful
grounds were thrown open to the peo-
pie. 1t was gala day and following
the ceremonies at the rivers brink and
after the return of the king to his pal
ace, the people would linger for the
dancing and feaSting that filled the day.
The procession moved forward to the
point where Pharaoh's throne had been
set. The spirits of the people ran high,
and they watched the movements OF
the priests, expectantly. The latter
placed the image of A is on the pedestal
at the brink of the river before the
throne and then separated, while
Pharaoh moved down the isle thus
formed and took his place upon the
throne.
Then again the song of the priests
was raised as they chanted their hymn.
Hail, O Nile" the words rang out on
the air and floated over the waters Of
the peaceful and beautiful river whose
surface fieCked and sparkled in the
bright sunshine and seemed to flash
back its greeting:
Hail, 0 Nile" they sang, and then
stopped abruptly as they saw the king
rise suddenly, and with an expression
on his face of half anger, half con-
:sternati0n, point towards two figures
which were advancing from behind the
pedestal on which the image of Apis
had been placed.
The song was forgotten, an Oppres-
sive, nervous hush fell upon the throng,
and all eyes were turned in the direc-
ton in which the king was looking.
Slowly, and with a self-possession and
dignity that held the king, his courtiers
and priests spell-bound, the two men
moved and came and st0oS before the
throne. Pharaoh sank back into his
place upon the throne, but he spake no
word, for establishment and anger, and
apprehension which struggled for the
mastery within rendered him speech
less. And the priests and attendants
likewise made no move.
Its Moses and Aaron" whispered
one of the court attendants, uneasily.
Yes" responded his companion, the
apprehension he felt sounding in his
voice. What brings them here, l
wOnder?"
"See,' exclaimed the first speaker,
Moses has his rod with him: My, were
not the kings magicians chagrined and
astonished yesterday when Moses rep
tile swallowed up theirs?"
And did you note the effect on
Pharaoh? He seemed troubled when
his magicians were unable to recover
their reptiles"
Yes, but his anger seemed rather
against Moses and Aaron than against
MS own magicians, and wonder that
the former have dared come into his
presence again. But listen. Moses is
speaking" and the two strained their
ears to catch his words.
Inc Lord God of the Hebrews hath
sent me unto thee" Moses said, and
then paused.
Pharaoh's brow darkened and his
lip eurled with sCorn as he said:
Who is the God of the Hebrews that
l should listen unto Him." and way-
ing his hand towards the image before
him and then with a sweep of his arm
taking in the expanse of placid waters
that stretched away in every direction
he added: Behold Egypt's god whom
to-day we honor Darest thou at such q
time come and speak in the name of thv
god?"
"saerilege," angrily muttered the
priests and they would have leaped
upon Moses and Aaron and driven them
from the place had not some unseen in
fuence held them back.