Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1908-07-23

side near his home TO watch the sheep
and call his mother II they should
show 4 disposition 10 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 a child so small he
performed the ask assigned him.
As an incentive and announcement
his mother. who was a devout soul
and quite familiar with the history OF
her nation. would tell him the stories
OF the long lines OF Jewish heroes.
from Moses down. and as he would sit
through the long hours OF the day
be would go over these stories. re.
peating them 10 himself and thinking
Of a thousand and one questions he
would ask his mother in the cool OF
the evening as they sat and talked be
fore be- went TO his rude little couch
for the night.
Thus II was that as he grew into
sturdy boyhood and was sent out with
the flock all by himself he carried
with him a mind stored full 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 81 idolatry and moral and
b nfHHFHMN nnnmHnHHAm .I -.rar. -
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 IL they would only serve him.
These were the days when the reli.
gious teachers were scarce. and Nth
but few exceptions corruption had
crept into the priesthood. so that IL
was little wonder that the spiritual
life Of the people was at low tide.
How often Amos yearned 10 talk with
some one Of the priests.
once q had been his privilege e
go 70 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 a muttered word
which sounded much like an oath. the
m~taef wnnnfnAn4 kF-w FhaH So. 49,
able 10 attend 10 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 fOcks.
The impressions received at that
time remained with him throughout
his life. and he awoke then TO a con
seriousness that II he was to learn OF
God it must be while in the solitudes
OF the Bethlehem hills. rather than in
the presence Of the supposed minis
tiers Of God. Thus Il was that Amos
came more and more to shut himself
away from human fellowship and to
md in the seclusion OF the pasture
lands dying all around Tekoa, whittier
he led his fOcks. hat opportunity for
communion with God which expands
the soul and makes il receptive TO the
Divine will.
And thus shut away from active con-
tao with the life Of the nation. he
was able to study the events Of the ma
tion and to get the true perspective.
Il was remarkable how well-pOsted
Amos was able TO keep concerning
current events. but he had a reten-
tive memory and a quick grasp OF de-
tails. and upon his occasional visits
10 town. and less occasional visits TO
he was able 10 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 yOu2 came a voice.
and distinct to his soul
Me-" exclaimed Amos. Why.
only a shepherd.
But it shall not be thy message.
hut mine. came the voice.
As the Lord speaks thus will
assented Amos. And true to
his VOW. his messages rang clear and
strong with the cry: Thus saith
the Lord.
NO LONGER NEEDED.