Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-08-12

through which David had led his
sheep were there to furnish the set.
ting or our story. Not more than six
miles from the town Of Bethlehem
where David was born and brough hit up
was another little village knowo az
Tekoa. and it was there that the hero
OF our story was born. His parents
were poor, as were most of the people
living in Tekoa, and for most part
followed the calling Of shepherds and
vine dressers.
Almost the first recollection which
Amos had was being set OH the hill.
side near his home to watch the sheep
and call his mother II they should
show q disposition to stray. for he
was yet too small to run after them
and bring them back. But he could
use his bright little eyes and his
shrill little voice, and with remarkable
faithfulness in child so small he
performed the task assigned him.
As an incentive and encouragement
his mother, who was a devout soul
and quite familiar with the history of
her nation, would tell him the stories
or the long lines of Jewish heroes,
from Moses down, and as he would sit
through the long hours OF the day
he would go over these stories, re
peating them to himself and thinking
or thousand and one questions he
would ask his mother In the cool of
the evening as they sat and talked be-
fore he went to his rude little couch
for the night.
Thus 1t was that as he grew into
sturdy boyhood and was sunt ca. with
the flock all by himself he c0rried
with him mind stored fall of
thoughts which led his heart towards
the God of his nation and his people
He had heard and observed enough OF
current history to know that the days
in which he lived were apostate days,
and that the nation was suffering from
the sins of idolatry and moral and
spiritual corruption. And young az
he was when the first consciousness
OF the wickedness of the nation was
pressed in upon his heart he remem.
bered lifting his eyes towards heaven
and asking God to help him not to for.
get him and to help him to be a good
boy, so that some day he could tell
others about the God who would bless
them if they would only serve him.
These were the days when the rel.
glous teachers were scarce, and with
but few exceptions corruption had
cIept into the priesthood, so that it
was little wonder that the spiritual
life Of the people was at low tide.
How often Amos yearned to talk with
some one of the priests.
Once 1t had been his privilege to
go to Jerusalem to one OF the feasts.
and he had there spoken with one of
the. priests of the temple asking him
why he did not cry out against the
evils which were apparent on every
hand. But with muttered word
which sounded much like an oath, the
priest reminded him that they were
able to attend to the affairs OF the
temple worship without his help, and
noting his plain shepherd garb he
contemptuously told him that he bet.
ter get back to his flocks.
The impressions received at that
time remained with him throughout
his life, and he awoke then to con-
seriousness that If he was to learn of
God it must be while in the soltudes
OF the Bethlehem hills, rather than in
the presence of the supposed minis.
ters of God. Thus ii was that Amos
came more and more to shut himself
away from human fellowship and to
find in the seclusion of the pasture
lands dying all around Tekoa, whittier
he led his flocks, that opportunity for
communion with God which expands
the soul and makes it receptive to the
Divine will.
And thus shut away from active con
tact with the life of the nation, he
was able to study the events of the ma
ton and to get the true perspective.
1t was remarkable how well-posted
Amos was able to keep concerning
current events, but he had a reten.
tive memory and quick grasp Of de
tails, and upon his occasional visits
to town, and less occasional visits to
Jerusalem, he was able to follow with
accuracy the trend OF affairs. and to
note conditions which would have es.
capped a mind less keenly alive to the
spiritual needs of the nation.
But some one ought TO tell both
the nation of Israel as well as of
judah, that the sins of the nations
will destroy them" he exclaimed to
himself one day.
And why not you?" came a voice,
clear and distinct to his soul.
Me-" exclaimed Amos. why. I
am only a shepherd"
But it shall not be thy message.
but mine" came the voice.
AS the Lord speaks thus will
speak" assented Amos. And true to
his VOW, his messages rang clear and
strong with the cry: Thus saith
the Lord"
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