Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1906-01-26

homely garments-"and you"
But think of the beautiful home you
will have with the princess and
'Will you be there, mother?" the boy
hastily broke in.
mo"
Then don't want the fine clothes.
don't want to leave you and live in
the palace" and his voice indicated the
resentment which he felt.
His mother realized the mistake she
had made. Her boy was not to be won
by any mere offer of fine clothes. He
was not ITO be bribed by the splendor
of the palace.
my son, do you remember the story
of thy forefather Abraham? How God
called him out from his own home and
own kindred that he might serve the
Lord in another placer"
His kindling eye was all the answer
his mother needed, and she continued:
and do you remember what Abra-
ham did when God spoke to him?"
He obeyed," the boy responded,
eagerly.
And God blessed him, This mother
added, and then placing her hand in
lingering tenderness upon his head, and
looking earnestly into his deep,
thoughtful eyes, she proceeded slowly,
as though she would emphasize every
word and burn the thought into his very
soul:
God has called thee, my son, to leave
home and mother"
AS she said it she wondered if he
would understand. Was he old enough
to grasp the thought? If the clothes
and the palace could not attract him,
would the higher appeal win his con-
sent?
Then / will so, mother" was the
quiet, firm response
God bless thee, my boy" was the
mothers fervid answer "In the pal
ace thou shalt be trained in all the skill
and learning of the Egyptians, and some
day-some day-perhaps you can serve
Gods poor people who are now in bitter
bondage" and the thought stirred her
heart with peculiar nower.
And | will, exclaimed the boy. draw
ing himself up to his full height and
quivering in every nerve with the in
tensity of his purpose
There was a subdued quiet in the
home that night as the family talked
over Joachim's future.
and won't we be able to play to-
gether any more?" anxiously inquired
Aaron, his voice breaking into sob as
he realized what his brothers going
would mean to him.
But think" spoke up Miriam, brave
ly, as she brushed a tear from her eye,
how proud we will be of our brother.
And some day you will come back to
us, won't you, Joachim" she added, be-
seemingly, turning to the little boy
standing so thoughtful and quiet in the
midst of the family circle and snatching
him up in her strong young arms.
We'll. we ought to be thankful that
he was spared to us, and that the
princess has left him with us until now"
Yea. inteEposed the husky voice of
the father. 'and the same God who
spared his life so long ago will continue
TO care for him. and leaA hin. Let us
ask Him now" And bowed before their
God, the father lifted his voice and
pleaded the promises given to Abraham
and Isaac and Jacob; asked that the
tender boy going out of their home
might b. kept true to the God of his IA
theirs, and that through him deliver
ance might be wrought for the enslaved /
people
Arrayed in his splendid robes Joachim |
was taken to the palace next morning |
by his mother and presented to the |
princess, who surrounded by her at
tendants, awaited their coming. The |
apartment was spacious and the vivid |
frescoes and paintings on the walls pre-
scented in its various phases the life and |
pleasures of the royal family. Rich |
draperies and hangings softened the |
bright color effects, and great urns and |
vases of palms and ferns and blooming |
flowers were tastefully arranged about !
the apartment. and here and there sof. |
divans and roomy recesses sculptured |
in the massive walls invited to rest and |
repose, while before a great image ia |
q vaulted alcove at one side the smoked |
incense lazily curled up from its brazen |
urE.
Had not the inner consciousness Of |
the Divine presence held them both, |
mother and son, unused to the mag |
uificence and luxury and formalities of |
the palace. would have been abashed |
in such regal presence. but SO absorbed |
were they in the thought Of doing Gods |
will that they were swayed by a grace |
and self-possession which no art or cul- |
ture could have given them. And so II
was that the princess. instead of seeing
as she expected an awkward trembling
confused Hebrew woman and fright
ened fearful youth. beheld woman.
CARRIED TO be sure in the common dress
of the Hebrew women slaves, but bear
ing herself with dignity and grace, and
by her side a handsome youth. with
frank and earnest countenance and man
ly step.
After the first glance at the mother
her eyes fixed themselves upon the boy,
and she watched him with absorbed in.
terest as he came towards her. There
ind en- n f,,e, 81.