The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1906-09-28
Aaron again nodded assent, and II

ana spoke against the WlIo WuoM
Moses had married.
There are always those who are
ready to help in stirring up trouble,
and it was not long until all Israel
had heard the talk against Moses be.
cause he had taken his wife from
among an uncircumcised people. Such
criticism gave rise in the minds of
the people to questions as to Moses
authority, and after few days it be-
came apparent that Moses influence
and authority with the people were
| waning.
Pleased with the apparent success
of their plans, Miriam and Aaron grew
holder, and they spoke openly to the
| people, saying:
Hath the Lord indeed spoken only
by Moses? Hath he not spoken also
by us?'
And this became popular saying
among the people: Hath not the Lord
spoken by Miriam and Aaron, also?"
And when it became noised about that
the Lord had called Moses and Aaron
and Miriam to the tabernacle. the peo-
pie shook their heads and said:
Now shall we see what Moses will
have to say to these things" for not
withstanding the talk and the grow
ing feeling against Moses, he had
made no reply, but quietly and patient
ly endured the reproaches which were
heaped upon him.
God will vindicate his servant" he
said, simply, to his wife one day, who
was grieved and troubled by the feel
ings against her, and had been urging
Moses to take some strong measures
against his enemies. 81 can wait"
And when the call came from God to
meet him in the tabernacle he knew
that God had heard and would help.
Expectantly the people waited while
the three were in the tabernacle. They
had watched while Miriam proud and
self-confident, had passed through the
camp and entered the court before the
tabernacle. At her side had walked
Aaron, as proud and bold as she, and
the people had marked their bearing,
and again took up the cry:
Hath not God also spoken by
Miriam and Aaron?"
During this demonstration Moses
appeared, and the cry was checked as
the people noted the bowed head Of
their leader, which turned neither to
the right hand or the left as he pro-
ceeded towards the tabernacle and
disappeared through the gateway Sto
the court before the tabernacle with
er Miriam and Aaron had just gone.
The waiting people saw the pillar
of cloud move and settle down be-
fore the door of the tabernacle, and
they heard the sound as of thunder
while God talked with the three.
Then after what seemed to the peo-
pie long time the cloud lifted and
moved to it's accustomed place, and
they knew that the Lord had finished
would appear. The friends and follow
ers of Miriam drew near, confident,
expectant, for had she not told them
to be there to receive her. But she
came not.
A strange silence brooded around
the tabernacle. What could it mean?
AS the cloud had lifted and withdrawn
they thought they had heard a cry
as of one in great anguish of spirit,
but there had come no further sound.
The people became more and more
nervous and apprehensive. What had
happened? Anxiously they watched
the entrance to the tabernacle court,
and just when it seemed as though
they could stand the tense strain no
longer, Miriam was seen to come from
the gateway.
With a shout of glad welcome her
friends rushed forward to meet her.
In their excitement they did not no
tice that the head which had been
held so proudly erect when she had
entered was now bowed low, and that
the stately, dignified walk had given
place to a slow, uncertain tread. On,
on came the people, and suddenly as
they drew near, they heard the cry:
"Unclean. Unclean," and as their
startled eyes looked more closely, they
saw that the flowing cloak had been
drawn about the head and the arms
| were TdlSeu dS luOuSu W VAIN tHSh
back
"Unclean! Unclean!" again came
the cry.
Horror stricken the people fell back.
Every eye was riveted upon that dark
form as 1t moved along. Not sound
was heard except the one cry: I'm
clean! Unclean" The people scarce
ly breathed in the intensity of their
emotions Without moving or at
tempting to follow, they watched the
figure pass on out of the camp. Could
that be Miriam? What dreadful thing
had happened?
And while the people thus ques-
toned in their hearts, Aaron came
and told them the sad story.
ct is the judgment of the Lord"
they whispered to each other in awed
whispers, as they turned to depart
to their tents. Surely Moses is our
leader"
And as they lifted up their eyes and
looked in the direction Of the taber-
nacle, through the open gateway, they
saw their leader bowed before the al
tar in prayer, and exclaimed:
"The Lord is gracious, for he has
heard his prayer, and Miriam shall be
restored to us in seven days.