The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-01-12
Moses the Prince
OF the Palace
PART I.
OUR BIBLE STORY by the
Highway and Byway" Preacher
a Vision Between the Lines Of God's
Inspired World
tCopyright. 1875, by J, B, BOwles.)

lklSNR aAlu Slt tliAS AAlOAllNAt pAShbhk AAAAA
unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became
her son. And she called his name Moses;
and she said, Because I drew him out of the
water Eek. 2:10.
And Moses was learned In all the wisdom
OF the Egyptians. and was mighty in words
and deeds."-Acts 7:22.
Would her courage fail herr" she
asked herself as her eyes followed with
intense yearning the sturdy boy busy
with his play before the hut door.
The message from the palace that day
directing her to bring the boy thither
had come as a sharp stab at her heart.
Eight years before when the precious
babe had been given back into her arms
as from the dead, and she had heard the
princess say: Take this child away
and nurse 1t for me-" she knew that
some day she would have to give him
up. And as she had watched him grow
from helpless infancy into the vigor
and grace and beauty Of perfect boy
hood she had been ever painfully con
scious of the fact that he belonged to
another and that some day he would
leave her.
But is not that what you have been
training him for?" she asked herself
sharply, the dark picture of the slavery
of her people rising before her. rs
any sacrifice too great?"
AS she had watched over and trained
her boy during these years 1t had been
with the hope and prayer that he might
become the leader and deliverer of her
oppressed people, and in the present
moment the memory Of this made her
brave in REFRESHING the STRINGS of the
mother love which would have kept her
boy under her wing.
But he is scarcely more than a baby,
even now" her heart cried out, the
dread of losing him again gaining the
mastery. Could she hope that her train
ing and teaching during the few brief
years of his early life would withstand
the strong influences and the education
of the Egyptian court during the years
to come?
Yes, she had tried to be faithful.
With an intensity at times which almost
made her fear that she would weary
the boy, she had taught him of God and
Gods dealings with Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, and the promises given unto
them. She had tried to burn into his
tender, receptive heart the fact that he
was a son of Abraham and that the
promises of blessing and deliverance
were for him. She had told him over
and over again the story of how God had
spared his life, and each time had en-
phasized that he was saved for a pur-
pose and must be loyal to the only true
God, the God of Abraham and Isaac and
Jacob.
The memory of all this served in a
measure to calm her anxious spirit.
She had trusted God before. Could she
not trust Him again in her hour of need?
She had sent her babe adrift on the Nile,
trusting that He would care for the
little life, and He had. Could she not
send him forth to the palace and again
trust God that He would preserve him
for the great mission to her people?
Could there be any uncertainty where
God was reckoned as a factor? How
strong and confident her heart became
as her faith reached out and laid hold
upon her God Who had never failed her.
She could tell him now, and moving
towards the door, she called with a voice
vibrating with subdued intensity:
joachim, Joachim.* Come here, nv
SON."
The boy at once left his play and came
to his mothers side in eager expec-
fancy. His fine manly face with its ex-
preston of earnest thoughtfulness far
his years; his high, broad fore
head and large, expressive eyes; the
yet sweet lines about the mouth;
he dignified poise of the head; the
limbs and the ~self-contained car
'iage of the body as he walked made
him a youth of striking attractiyeness,
who would not fail to draw attention
anywhere. The warm clasp of his moth
hand as he placed his own upon her
inca brought the love light to his eye,
md, with an expressive smile, he asked:
What is it. mother?"
Soc what the princess has sent you"
The said, at the same time displaying
he fine linen robes, the costly girdle
the dainty sandals which had been
provided for him to wear on the NOR
when he was presented at the pal
yce.
He looked inquiringly at his mother.
nd then al the rich robes, then back
nto her face, while a troubled look crept s
yer his cou.l enance His quick intui.
told him what 1t meant. {
Il don't want them. mother" he said. !
alf resentfully. 81 would rather have
hese'-looking down at his simple, ]
omely garments-"and you" S
But think of the beautiful home you
Ill have with the princess and"- q
viii you be there, mother?" the boy q
astily broke in.
mo" n
Then I don't want the fine clothes.
don't want to leave you and live in b
lie palace" and his voice indicated the u
sentiment which he felt. b
His mother realized the mistake she
ad made. Her boy was not to be won b
any mere offer of fine clothes. He
as not to be bribed by the splendor II
the palace. h