The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-06-08

been given up some weeks ago in or.
der that they might obtain the pro,
visions they needed.
The neighbors about them had beer
kind to them, but every one found Il
hard work getting along, and thert
was little that could be spared them
But the Pascal lamb would be large
enough for them, and the good WON,
an, as she hurried along, quite forgot
her W sorrow and anxiety in the
joy Of planning for the shelter OF
those who would not be provided for
except as she gave of her W store.
There are the four children and IA.
Their and me, and there are four OF
them, 50 that there will be the ten
which Moses has declared was the
proper number to partake of the Pas
cal meal she unused to herself, as she
hurried onward. But what of Abb
dam" she suddenly exclaimed, stop
ping short and half turning around.
hHtlt VIII ne come IN
She had not thought Of 1t before.
In her eagerness 20 help she had not
considered that there would be IL
with her son Abidan. What would be
done with him when he should return ?
Could she shut him out? She trem-
bled at the thought, and her good pur-
poses began to waver. But what
would happen to her needy neighbors
If she failed to give them shelter? II
was a sharp, hard struggle which she
fought out there under the stars on
that last night before the lamb was
to be slain. Time and again she start
ed 20 retrace her steps, and as often
turned about and went forward, and
each time found her farther upon her
way toward her neighbours.
Il must go forward she cried at
last as she drove back the tears and
stifed the rising promptings of selfish
ness. Here is a need that muse be
met, and God will provide the way.
And perhaps-perhaps Abidan won't
come back" and at the thought a
pang of sorrow seized her heart, to
give place an instant later to the bet
ter thought that God would provide
for him elsewhere, If he did not.
AS she neared the threshold of the
house, the sound of voices came
through the open doorway, and she
paused To listen. Father and mother
were in conversation while their two
little ones slept, and it was for them
they We're planning.
oh, why is it that u lamb should
have been taken" walled the mother.
HAS God forgotten us? Shall we be
shut out of the shelter and deliverance
OF Israel because of our lack?"
NO" responded the father, encour-
agingly, Moses has said that the fam
lily too little for a lamb, or unproylded
with a lamb, shall be sheltered with a
family more fortunate"
But whittier shall we turn for such
shelter? None have hidden u.s."
The father paused, unable to make
and the mother continued:
Perhaps we will be able to find
some place for Il boy and girl, and
1t matters not so much about our
selves" and she stit1ed a sob as it rose
to her lips.
The rustic Of garments in the door
way caused her to turn, and there
stood her neighbor, who said, cheer
lily:
Thou and thy children shall eat the
Passover with us. Then shall come
tomorrow at eventide when the lamb
is to be slain"
And having thus spoken the woman
was gone.
The twilight is deepening, and the
.1ouseholders throughout Goshen have
'olemnly and silently slain the little
ambs that had been kept by them
.ohr days a mute reminder of the de-
vera zee which God had promised to
give theh The blood has been caught
n the Oas, MS and the punches of hys-
'op nave De"n dipped therein and the
lhtels Il SIDE posts of the houses
with the hood. All have gone
ElIhln out one fhe mother fingers
lbout the doorway and looks vearn-
hgly down the road way.
oh' WILL ne o some, my Abidan,
ny SOM" she cried,
And for answer the father cama and
but firmly Iushed her in tbo
doorway and shut to the door
With a sob she sank to the Inn
But "hat was mat? Hurried foot
teps sound without. With a Glad crv
he mother springs t. her feet and IN
thrice has thrown wide the door and
,Ia"h ACROSS 'ne threshold her boy.
eleven in the house1oldP Vas brt
omething within tells her that cod,s
amb is sufficient for all, and she lite
'er neart 10 him IN thanksgiving, In
Which all join.