The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-06-17
The PEOPLES FORUM.
Wonders.

of Providence. We are apt to think
little of this but it is a power in the
world. We see it in the history of
Israel. They were led into captivity to
| correct their errors. to cure them of
ldolatry, to make of them an independ-
ent nation and when Gods time came
they were marYelously delivered while
heather nations felt the Divine power
was ready to burst forth in fire and
| flood for the protection of Israel. The
mlghtest elements of nature wrought
for the chosen race, impressIng on
them the fact that the secret of their
greatness and success depended, not
On chariots and horses, but on personal
and unwavering reliance of the Word.
When in the history of any people is
Providential interposition more marked
than at the Red Sea.
Three days march from Egypt found
them encamped in plain, walled in by
ranges of mountains on either side with
the sea in front. They must move for
ward to the sea or go backward the way
they came or pass through the opening
toward the west leading back to the
capitol of Pharaoh.
They were in straits. They are
Ignorant as to why they are led into
this net of difficulties unless it be to
entrap them, till their enraged master
can overtake and drive them back to
bondage. The JOY of escape from
bondage has subsidized, while the terrors
of the desert. the WEAKNESS, hunger
and thirst of the march make hated
Egypt and its grevious bondage seem
attractive.
This horde, with its fiocks and herds
is lost among the barren hills and desert
plains. Their hopes have given place
to despair, which is completed as they
discover the Egyptian host after them.
Their flashing armor and tossing plumes
rise over the ridges of sand and CLEAN
out in the dust clouds made by the
terrible war chariots, led by the proud
and impious King himself, Egypts pride
and power can ride down this disorderly
multitude of fugitive slaves with their
weapons and discipline, as the eagle
swoops down upon the lamb in the
field.
They see the situation, they are
weary with the march. so they resolv-
ed to encamp for the night and await
the light of day before they rush o the
slaughter or capture.
The cry of the Israelites was frantic.
They had forgotten the miracles by
Moses in Egypt.
They had no idea that the rod which
changed the Sacred Nile into blood can
smite the Red Sea and make a dry
path for them to pass through. With
sublime faith their leader tries to calm
their fears. for he knew that Jehovah
would not forsake him now amidst two
and half millions of excited credulous
and impulsive people unaccustomed to
habits or order and self control They
are in what seems to be a death trap.
How came they to turn in the opposite
direction and march, as if infatuated,
into this wilderness of burning sand and
barren mountains Wonder of Provi
dence! On the morning of the third
day of the march mysterious cloud is
in the van of the host, a lofty column,
like the smoke of some mighty sacrifice
so high that it could be seen for miles,
vet so low that it could be followed as a
guide. 1t did not melt IN the heat of
the sun; it could not be driven away by
the wind The Hebrews followed it as
it moved in silent majesty across the
plain and thus they had been mysterious
lY drawn out of their course into this
valley, hemmed in by mountains and
sea, but as darkness comes on as if to
quiet the fears and frenzied cries of the
host that rose higher than the roar of
the sea, this divine pillar majestically
lifts itself into the air passes over the
host and settles between them and
their pursuers, hiding them from each
other. There it stood against the
strong sea wind, black as midnight to
the enemy, but emitting cheering hight
over the Hebrews. Now is the time
for the Lord to work, so Moses with
his wonder working rod cleaves high
way in the channel of the deep for the
millions to pass through dry shod. At
the command Go forward" all night
the tramp of the multitude is heard be-
tween the walls of waters, while the
strange cloud sends its wierd light to
show the way. and when the last one
has entered the sea, the cloud moves
behind. The light of the moon reveals
to the Egyptian sentinels the deserted
encampment, the alarm is given, the
trumpet sounds to arms and soon the
| host rushes madly after the fleeing
lsraelites.
They can hear the voice in the dis
lance; they can easily trace their line
| of march, yet see naught but the cloud.
They follow on thinking they will soon
burst through the cloud and fall upon
their prev, yet ignorant of the fact