St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-02-23

/ i lOOhEC
about me as though I could see the
length and the breadth of the land
lsraei lay below me, resting peaceful
ly IN the land into which God had
brought them. There were the vine
yards, and the fig and olive groves
there were the stretches of pasture
land, there were the houses and the
villages and cities dotting the land.
scape. And thought as stood
and looked upon the scene, Here are
vineyards which we have not planted
here are houses and cities which we
nave not built. Surely God hath given
US goodly heritage Each man nav
dwell under his own vine and fig tree,
and how delightful it is that all Israel
may dwell together from henceforth
In the land of peace and unity
AS l finished speaking voice
seemed to speak at my side, although
l saw no man. l had thought was
| alone, and behold here was one at
my side, and speaking. And knew it
| to be the voice of God. And God said
to me:
Who knoweth what is in man.
save God? Underneath this spirit of
tranquility and unity on which thine
eyes now look there are passions and
emotions which when aroused are
destructive
Nay, Lord l said, has not Israel
learned. her lesson yet? Has not the
old spirit yielded to the influence of
the heW land and the new hopes and
purposes in life?'
Yea, for the time being came
back the words, but underneath there
lie smouldering the fires of sin. The
hand of brother shall yet be raised
against brother in Israel
Sadness filed my heart and was
silent, and while pondered on these
words the voice came again and said:
Lift up your eyes and look, for in
Israel there shall be shelter for the
fugitive and him that fleeth from his
brother!'
And 10! and behold, as / looked
saw Hebron below me in all her fair
beauty.
"'Yea, Lord I said, the stronghold
OF our enemies hath become shelter
and habitation for thy people,
And it shall be yet more came
back the voice, for it shall become
refuge for him that heeth from the
adversary. It's gates shall close
neither day nor night. My priesthood
shall rule there and their hands of
mercy and love will always be extend.
ed to help. None shall be turned
away until their case hath been heard
and judgment declared
God in the midst Of IsreaI to give
succor and to show mercy l whis.
pered softly, as the new vision of
Hebron opened up before me. How
wonderful that God should give him.
self to watch between men and pre-
serve them from destruction at the
hands of each other
With this thought thrilling me
lifted my eyes from the scene below
me and looked up into the heavens,
and as | did so it seemed as though
the city rose with my vision and
seemed to float upward and upward
until lost to view within the depths
of the vast beyond.
For long time was lost in deep
contemplation and wonder as to what
this could mean. looked to see if
Hebron We're really gone from her
place into the heavens, and saw that
she had not but was still resting upon
her rugged mountains as before.
There was the city of refuge God had
appointed for earth.
Was there something infinitely
better hidden from view within the
portals of Gods dwelling placer |
asked myself, and stirred by the
thought I suddenly awoke.
And now my brethren, have come
% you to-day with this story, and YOU
nay well understand why it seemeth
If God that Hebron shall become one
II these Cities of Refuge. And the
'1s1on and the message which l
hought l heard from the lips of God.
whether real or but dream, will
surely enlarge our thoughts of God
md his great love and mercy towards
lis people And who can fathom the
greater riches of his grace
which he hath still reserved for u.s."
And as Caleb ceased speaking a
1urmur went round the company.
nd they said:
Surely the Lord hath spoken"