Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1906-08-02

ney TeHeCleu only
~' too plainly the dis
content they felt within.
How delightful had been the short
rest there. The cool water and the
fruit OF the date 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 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, 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 Land toward which they
were jCurneying. They had rejoiced
with hearts overlooking 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 II
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
{ Cloud lifted and the trumpets blew
and the orders were given for the
breaking of the camp, the people
y 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 anC
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 thai
= night after the long march, they dis
covered that the provisions were run
, ming low. While at Elm they had no
$ been conscious of the lack, but now
shut III on every side by the wilder
ness of barren sands, and with non,
of the fresh dates to take away tn,
. 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
G space OF time the cry spread through
| hn hnI Il,
- 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
g low indeed was their supply of provi
), Sions, for no man had more thai
- enough for another meal, the cry wa
= raised that they would perish of hun
- ger there in the wilderness. Confu
= sion and tumult filled the camp. L
the anger born of the terror tuggin
. =. at their hearts because of the calamit
- which the people saw staring them
the face, they besieged their ruler:
y demanding of them What should b
done.
Would to God we had died by tn
hand OF the Lord in the land {
. Egypt" they cried, in their distres
= wringiLg their hands in the intensit
:, Of their emotion. I'm Egypt we di
= sit by the flesh pots, and did eat brea
y TO the full, but now we have brough
us forth into this wilderness to XII
:, this whole assembly with hunger"
- Thus did they cry out a0ainst thei
% leaders until at last they were drive
!, TO seek the face OF Moses and AaroI
- before whom they laid the matte
showing how desperate was the situs
ton, and how threatening the attitud
OF the people.
OWN. had we not FASTENED 10 the