The Lexington advertiser., 1906-08-02

them the very acme Of human comfort,
and Us 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 it was
more to be desired than this place of
IL 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, we're 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 Land toward which they
were jcurneying. They had rejoiced
with hearts 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 it was easy to be Joy
full and to trust God.
But at last when one morning the
Cloud lifted and the trumpets blew,
and the orders were given for the
breaking of the camp, the people
looked out dlsconsolately 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
such trying journey, when Elm, the
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 q
better country and larger life.
But as though the discomfort of the
journey was not enough to try then
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 moi
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 tht
dryness OF their unleavened cakes
they suddenly awakened to a realiza
ton that little was left of that which
they had brought with them from
Egypt,
Just who first made the discover,
and sounded the first note Of alarm il
not known, but in an incredibly shor
space Of time the cry spread through
out the entire camp and everybod
was asking Of his neighbor:
"How much hast thou in thy lard
err"
This led to careful search, and as tn
people came to understand how yer
low indeed was their supply of provI
sions, for no man had more tha
enough for another meal, the cry wa
raised that they would perish of hun
ger there in the wilderness. Confu
sion and tumult filed the camp. |
the anger born of the terror tugein
} at their hearts because of the calamit
which the people saw staring them /
the face, they besieged their ruler
demanding of them what should |
done.
Would to God We had died by Il
hand OF the Lord in the land
Egypt" they cried, in their distres
wringing their hands in the intensit
of their emotion. In Egypt we d
sit by the flesh pots, and did eat bres
to the full, hut now we have brougl
us forth into this wilderness to X
this whole assembly with hunger"
Thus did they cry out against the
leaders until at last they were driv,
TO seek the face of Moses and Aaro
before whom they laid the matte
showing how desperate was the stu
ton, and how threatening the attitu
OF the people.
why, had we not hastened to the
we verify believe they would ha
stoned us in their displeasure," tn
cried, "for when they asked us whe
food was coming from, we could n
give them answer. And now what sa
est thou? Hath the Lord led US thit
: er to give us prey to hunger?"
Moses looked into the faces befo
him, startled and troubled, and not
little alarmed by this new crisis viii
had SO suddenly opened before hi
What answer could he make? VIII
step could he take to allay this I
multi? He knew not where food eou
be hadl He knew only that the peoT
were eatizg Of their last cakes. al