The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1906-07-28

ngy reflected only
<- toe plainly the dis
contelt they felt within.
How delightful had been the short
rest there. The cool water and the
fruit of the Gate palms had seemed to
them the very acme OF human comfort
and IS they had rested under the
shade they had talked together of the
! delights Of the place. After the long,
fatiguing journey across the dry and
parched wastes since leaving Egypt
the place had been like a perfect par
adise, and they had wondered what
the Promised Land must be If 1t was
more to be desired than this place Of
II deep, cool, ineXhaustible wells Of
water, and the great grove of palm
trees which not only sheltered from
the searching rays OF the hot sun, but
gave OF their abundant fruits for the
refreshing of the people. The provi-
sions they had brought with them
! from Egypt, while wholesome and
abundant up to this time, were dry
and not particularly appetizing, and so
the fresh fruits Of the laden trees had
been eagerly gathered and eaten with
intense relish.
All this had made the people con-
tent to remain, and in the Joy and
satisfaction of the present ease and
comfort they had ceased to think of
the Promised Lond toward which they
were jnurneying. They had rejoiced
with Learts overflowing with gratitude
for The leading of the Lord which had
brought them thither. They were sure
now the Lord had been directing their
journey. They quite forgot the hard
ships and trials OF the way over which
they had come, and wondered how it
could have been that they had ever
doubted him or murmured against
him. For while they rested there at
beautiful Elm 1t was easy to be joy
full and to trust God.
But at last when one morning the
| Cloui lifted and the trumpets blew,
and the orders were given for the
breaking of the camp, the people
looked out disconsolately upon the
stretch OF sand and rocks lying bare
before them. Again the heat and the
fatigue of the journey and the parch-
ing thirst which was poorly slaked by
the tepid water from the water bottles,
brought to them discomfort of body
and irritation of spirit, and doubts and
questionings began again to creep into
their hearts
Was the Lord leading them Alright,
after all? Why need they plunge into
\,
place OF refreshing, was just behind
them, and where they might abide yet
many days? Thus did the people
quickly forget the goodness Of the
Lord. and doubt his wisdom as he
faithfully led them forward towards a
better country and larger life.
But as though the discomfort of the
journey was not enough to try them
and make them murmur, when the
people had settled down in camp that
night after the long march, they dis
covered that the provisions were run
ming low. While at Elm they had not
been conscious OF the lack. but now
shut II on every side by the wilder
ness OF barren sands, and with none
of the fresh dates to take away the
dryness of their unleavened cakes.
they suddenly awakened to realiza-
ton that little was left of that which
they had brought with them from
Egypt
Just who first made the discovery
and sounded the first note of alarm is
not known, but in an incredibly short
space OF time the cry spread through
out tie entire camp and everybody
was asking of his neighbor:
How much hast thou in thy lard
err"
This led to careful search, and as the
people came to understand how very
low indeed was their supply of provi-
sions, for no man had more than
enough for another meal, the cry was
raised that they would perish of hun
ger there in the wilderness. Confu-
sion and tumult filled the camp. In
the anger born of the terror Juggling
at their hearts because of the calamity
which the people saw staring them in
the face, they besieged their rulers
demanding of them what should be
done
Would to God we had died by the
hand OF the Lord in the land of
Egypt" they cried, in their distress.
wringihg their hands in the intensity
of their emotion. I'm Egypt we did
sit by the flesh pots. and did eat bread
to the full, hut now we have brought
us forth into this wilderness to Kill
this whole assembly with hunger"
THIS did they cry out against their
leaders until at last they were driven
to seel, the face of Moses and Aaron,
before whom they laid the matter.
showing how desperate was the situa-
ton, and how threatening the attitude
Of the people.
why. had we not fastened to thee,
wn yorily helieye they would haxe