Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-08-22
ing heard the reports they went apsr

We should return to Egypt than to
perish by the hand of so great foe"
Nay" reasoned another, "let us
nrst seek by gifts to win the favpr
or the enemy. 1t may be we shall
be able to turn them from their evil
purpose"
This suggestion seemed to win in
slant favor with the majority Of the
elders, but even while they were plan
ming to carry it into effect, declaring
openly that the Promised Land would
never be gained IL such obstacles were
TO be encountered, the young man
Joshua stood up and said:
Shall we who have come thus far
on our journey turn back, or even
make peace with an enemy which
would seek to prevent our reaching
the land to which God has promised
to lead us? Surely, God is with us,
and he has not brought us thus far
ON our journey to be swallowed up
by an enemy, neither would he have
us make peace with those who would
turn us from the right pathway. Let
us boldly withstand them. Are there
not here men of valor? Who will
stand with Joshua in the name of ou<
God?"
A deep silence followed this bold
speech, but at last Moses arose
and. stepping to the side of Joshua,
laid his hand upon him and exclaimed.
| Thou hast spoken wisely, and the
Lord will surely bless thee in thy bold
purpose. Choose you out men and
go out and fight with Amalek. To-
morrow | will stand on the top of the
hill with the rod of God in mine hand,
and even while | hold it up in token
of pleading with God. thou shalt fight
with Amalek and prevail"
Then turning to the others assem-
bled there he cried:
WHO is there wbo would make
friends with the enemy of God and
| Gods people? Know we all to-day
that Amalek hath wickedly arrayed
himself against us and would bar our
passage to the land to which God has
declared he would bring us. Fear not,
though, for if God be on our side, what
have we to fear? If we but fight in
his name he will give us the victory.
Why sit we here idle, while the enemy
doth plot against us?"
Scarcely had the words died away
ere Joshua had started forth crying:
Come, let us hasten. for while we
| tarry the hearts of the people faint
within them. Who is there who will
go forth with me? Let him seek out
such weapons as he can find. We will
| meet by the rock. And while Moses
| stands upon its top we will so into the
valley below and drive Amalek from
before u.s.
| But there were only a few stout
hearts in the camp of Israel that day,
and few indeed were those who assem-
bled at the rock that night to go
forth and fight in the name of the
Lord. But then, as to-day, to those
who fight the battle of righteousness
against evil is the victory, and what
the brave band lacked in numbers they
made up in the heroic spirit which
stirred within, and what though their
weapons were poor. and ill-assorted as
&C impaired with those possessed by the
el envy, their hands were strong and
re llous to use them to the utmost.
In the camp of the enemy that night
Amalek and his men made merry over
the report that Israel was armine
against them, and Amalek, standing
| before his men, bid defiance to Israel
and Israels God, saying:
Yea, 1t hath been said that God
hath promised to give them a country
md is even now leading them thither,
but shall we sit idly by while these
slaves from Egypt eat up the substance
of our land? Nay, as the flea is
| crushed under the paw Of a lion, so
shall Israel perish before Amalek."
In this confident boastful spirit the
| Amalellites waited the coming of
Israel. While Joshua, with his brave
! little band, stole out, a great faith fill
ing his heart and noble purpose urg-
ling him on. And while the battle
ragged in the valley. Moses on the hill
top with hand uplifted kept vigil with
! God. Through the long weary hours
| OF the day he stood and when his
hands grew heavy Aaron and Hur up-
| held them that Joshua might know
that God was still with him. Thus
was Amalek discounted and as the sun
set his men broke and fed
! Then did Israel who had been
! watching the issues of battle raise a
! great shout and pursued after.
And Moses built an altar and called
the name Of # Jehovah-nissi. that is.
The Lord My banner, FOR" said he.
"the Lord hath sworn that the Lord
will have war with Amalek from gen.
! GRAFTON 60 generation"
And Moses wrote the story Of this
victory for memorial in book and
rehearsed IL in the ears Of Joshua. say
| ing.
"The Lord hath declared that he
will utterly put ont the remembrance
NJ Amalek from Heaven for that he
has bid defiance 10 God and sought
with wicked purpose TO turn Israel
from the hope Of the Promise"
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