Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-01-10

Us 10 Maran, the place OF oltleT wa
ter.
"NaY, but it is God who has led
US tbither. Let US not murmur
against him. was Moses reply.
But thou art not going to re-
main in this placer" exclaimed the
people, impatiently, as they saw that
the Cloud was settling down, and the
horns were blowing in obedience to
the signal that there the camp was to
be made.
"Yea, we dare not go on, except
the Cloud go before US" Moses re-
joined, quietly, but with such positive
emphasis that it was evident that no
pleading could alter his determine
ton.
A howl Of disappointment and rage
swept over the assemblage at this an
nouncement, and Jahziel stepped for
ware and said
"Would you encamp here while we
perish with thirst, when refreshing
springs of water and the shade Of
palm trees are to be found behind us -?
Better that we turn back to the place
our eyes looked upon yesterday. Here
we have naught but the bitter water.
There we shall find rest and refresh
ing"
Mods of approval greeted this
speech, but Moses, unmoved by the de-
6ant attitude of the people, replied
ut is only as we abide where God
rests his Cloud that we can expect his
blessing" And as they cried again
in their distress and anger that the
water was bitter and they had naught
to drink, Moses added "God can
make even the bitter weter sweet. He
will give us to drink.
"Can God change this vile stuff Z"
Jahziel broke in with sneer. why
need he have led us to such a place
when we might have found springs of
good water :? You may tarry here if
you will, but as for me, l am going
back to that other place, and he
turned and walked away, followed by
certain of his followers.
In silence the people watched them,
seeming half Inclined to turn and fol-
low, but the presence Of the Cloud
lowering over them and the stern, IN.
yielding face of Moses held them in
indecision until the crisis was passed
and Jahziel and his company had
passed out OF view.
Then Moses withdrew into bis tent,
leaving the people standing there,and
gradually the loud murmuring ceased,
as the whisper went around
"Moses has gone to pray.
For it was noted that the Cloud had
settled down upon the tent of Moses
and enveIoped it, as it was wont to
do when the lord would talk with
their leader. Subdued by the sight
the people waited, forgetting for the
moment their distressing thirst and
their disappointment at the bitter wa
ter. Then the Cloud lifted again and
Moses came forth. Without the least
glance to the right or the left, he
passed on by the people, who watched
him with mingled awe and wonder.
On and on he went, never pausing IN
til he came to the very outskirts Of the
camp, by which time all the assembly
of the people had been stirred BY the
unusual proceedings and came to.
eether with the rest Of the people and
followed him at distance.
And while all eyes watched intently,
Moses stopped before a certain tree
from which he speedily gathered sew
eral boughs and then turned and went
swiftly towards the pools Of water
from which the people had 50 short a
time before turned away in anger and
disgust.
What strange thing vas this which
their leader was doinga With grow.
ing interest the people followed and
came up to the edge Of the waterl
as Moses cast therein the bOughs h'
had gathered and spoke with a loud
voice SO that all standing near ccuid
hear, saying
Here would the Lord prove thee
whether ye viii walk in his ways o.
no, for again has he given you de
liyerance. Drink ye Of the waters
for God hath touched them with th'
finger Of his power"
The voice ceased. But in all tina
great company Of people there was no
one who moved to stOOp and drink, .
blind and hard Of heart we're they