The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1906-06-22


ural that the Egyptians in their grief,
for there was no house where there
was not at least one dead, should
charge the calamity which had fallen
upon them to Moses and his people. In
fact, it was known generally that
Moses had warned the king that unless
ne would let the Hebrews go the hand
Of their God would be heavy upOr the
land Of Egypt, and so in that awful
midnight hour, when death claimed the
firstbOrn in every household and the
living in wild terror were waiIing over
their dead, the cry went up every
where: 1T is the vengeance of Moses
Cod Except the Hebrew people go
we be all dead mem"
With a superstitiOus fear they had
watched Moses arrival at the palace,
and upon his departure after his inter-
view with Pharaoh they had followed
him at a distance, and as they talked
excitediy among themselves he caught
the words:
Goshen" and Settle with He
brews.'
Light was just beginning to oreak in
the east as he returned, but not soul
was stirring about in Goshen The
doors to the rude huts of the PEOPLE
were still shut as Moses had directed,
and the blood marks on the top and
sides stood out In the dim light in bold
relief.
Moses as he passed along to the
place appointed where he was to meet
the elders of Israel ere the start was
made was deeply moved by the sight
of the blood, and he could not help but
draw the sharp contrast there was be-
tween Egypt and Goshen, .
1T is wonderful, marvellous" Moses
exclaimed. There is the blood, the
sign of Gods mercy, the evidence of
His faithfulness In keeping His word
given unto Abraham, Isaac and ia
cob" And then, turning to Aaron,
who had been walking silently by his
side, for he too had been to the palace,
he said: How could we have ever
doubted God?"
But we have waited a long time for
the fulfillment of Gods promises, and
the way has been long and trying" re-
piled his brother.
YEA" was the response, "but 1t is
ali plain to me now. How necessary
was the discipline for our people. How
they have been led step by step to put
more and more confidence in God. And
now. patient mas He been with Pharaoh
in trying to win his consent to let our
people go to worship in the wilder
ness. Surely, Gods way was best"
But we are not out of Egypt yet,
and fear the Egyptians are plotting
some mischief. Thou knowest their
looks as we passed by on our way from
the palace, and their words?"
Moses nodded assent, while the trou-
bled look again overspread mis- tea
lures
eve have the permission, nay more,
the. command, of Pharaoh that we oe-
part with our little ones and our tiocks
and herds and all that we have" he
said, after silence, "and our people
are all ready for the journey. Come,
let us hasten that no time now be
lost. See, the elders are waiting our
coming, even now,' and he quickened
his steps.
who are those coming yonder?"
Aaron exclaimed, suddenly, pointing
towards company Of men in the dis
lance bearing some burden between
them.
Moses turned his eyes In the direc-
ton Aaron indicated, and his quick
glance took in the situation.
'Ah, these are the faithful men of
the tribe Of Ephraim, who have already
been to the tomb of Joseph ard Sc
cured the coffin containing his bones,
that they may carry 1t back with
them"
"Joseph's bones" repeated Aaron,
thoughtfully. 81 had forgotten them,
but now | recall Joseph's charge con-
corning them"
Yes" replied Moses. more cheerful
ly, and is not this another sign that
we shall now go out in peace, even as
Joseph prophesied We should?"
Yes" admitted Aaron some whot re-
mctantly, "but We may still nave to
reckon with the Egyptians. l feel GER
tain that they are about to follow us
and may seek to detain u.s."
well, we shall have to wait and
see, but of this am confident, that
God is able to lead US out even as he
has thus far prepared the way"
The sun had not yet risen when the
hosts Of the children of Israel were
gathered by families.and tribes and d.
visions, ready to begin the journey. By
prearranged signal, the note Of the
horn had sounded throughout Goshen,
and as the expected note broke on the
air, tho doors everywhere flew open
and the people poured forth, bearing
their bundles in which were placed all