The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1918-07-04
Plain Tales From the Bible
Continued from page two.)


last recourse in face OF threat or danger to
his power. The decree of death came from
the Royal hand and all male children born
to the Hebrews were cast into the river.
We should be able to picture, wildly and
accurately, the condition of this afflicted
people in that long gone Egyptian land and
day. The numbering, enslaving force now
seeking to hold in subsection the nations
that are "mightier than they gives us
living example of this other peoples dire
plight.
We can understand their need of help and
guidance. From our own dearly purchased
knowledge we should be able TO- appreciate
the fact that none but wise, learned,
thoroughly prepared leader could bring
them out of their distress and affection. A
man of strong character and infexible pur-
pose was needed and, as is always true, out
of their sorest affliction-came the help their
needs required.
| Moses was born in Hebrew home. A
| mothers love saved him from the death an
evil monarch had decreed should be his.
In evading this unjust, uncalled for punish
ment envy, fear and lust tried to visit on
that humble home, Moses came into the
family of Pharoah and lived there as the son
of the Kings daughter.
AT that time Egypt was first among the
nations of the world. The learning of the
Egyptians was unrivalled and the splendor
of Pharaoh's court was beyond words to de-
scribe. So, when we read that CHOOSES was
learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,
and was mighty in words and deeds we
have picture of no mean parsonage. A
possible heir to the throne of the mighty
Pharaoh, every facility OF the day would be
used in educating and preparing him for
that signal honor and powerful position.
He lived in this environment until che was
full forty years old" Forty years of pre-
paration and yet not sufficient.
Forty years were not enough. He was
fitted to rule the Egyptians bur there only
| authority was necessary while service as
well was to be required of him. To the
poise, culture, wisdom and sternness Egypt's
courtiers, wise men and warriors had helped
him acquire he needed to add stength and
| singleness of purpose and the faithfulness to
trust and responsibility that only nature and
solitude could give. So, by the influence
of his Hebrew birth and blood he was lead
to the plains of indian where he married,
reared family and filled the humble yet
exacting duties of simple shepherd-and
there 'Moses was content to DWELL
"When forty years were expired the
mission Moses was to take up was made
known to him. He knew the great need
of his brethren and God told him of the SER
vice only he could give. We have lesson
in humility that is characteristic of all great
minded, high-idealed men in Moses an
swer to God: s'Who am l, that should
CO." With all the learning and experience
eighty years had given he still felt unquali-
fed TO assume the position and responsibility
God planned to place in his hands. What
a contrast to present-day conceit and avid
search for preferment!
Eighty years given to study and gaining
experience that forty other years of service
might be given! Measuring our allotted
three score and ten years by the one hun
dred and twenty of Moses we would need to
give over forty-fve years of our lives 10
preparation if full measure of service was to
be given by us. Forty-fve years? We grow
restless and impatient with devoting few
years to acquiring knowledge and experience.
s'Time is fleeing" surely, but it cannot be
wise to spend the flying moments in pur-
suit of still more fitting pleasures and when
destiny turns our feet into paths of trouble
or affection or service find ourselves utterly,
hopelessly lost-lost until some of the
earnest few in the world who were prepared
come and lead us onto familiar ground.
Every person has part to play in Cod
great drama of humanity and one part is as
important as another. In His sight there
are no minor parts; all are stellar roles. 1t
is the neglect of some to learn their parts
that interferes with the plans of God, halts
the progress of humanity and adds failure
to their own lives. Preparedness should
have great significance in these days-and
for all time to come-so dearly is the lesson
of its necessity and worth costing us.
No more should we occupy our time
with fruitless search for some royal, rose
strewn way through life instead of attend
ing those things requisite to the part we
have been assigned. We have learned, and
history will teach all who follow, that be-
ing prepared is the thing that counts. If
we will study the life of Moses we will see
how worth while were the things his pre-
paration made it possible for him to ac-
complish; we will realize that naught of
worth is possible without full preparation;
and we will learn that any mans import
ance is according to the preparation he has
had for the work given him to perform.
All may not occupy the place OF Moses
but each can fill his appointed time and
place with full measure of service-Moses