The Inglises; Or, How the Way Opened — A Closer Reading

David was reading, for one thing."

The chapter David had read was the tenth of Numbers--one not very likely to interest young readers, except the last few verses. It was the way with the Inglises, at morning and evening worship, to read straight on through the Bible, not passing over any chapter because it might not seem very interesting or instructive. At other times they might pick and choose the chapters they read and talked about, but at worship time they read straight on, and in so doing fell on many a word of wonderful beauty, which the pickers and choosers might easily overlook. The last few verses of the chapter read that night were one of these, and quite new to one of the listeners, at least. It was Moses' invitation to Hobab to go with the Lord's people to the promised land.

"I wonder whether the old chap went," said Frank, after a pause. "What are you laughing at, Jem?"

"He thinks that is not a respectful way to speak of a Bible person, I suppose," said Violet.

"About the chapter David was reading," said Jem, mimicking his cousin's tone and manner. "That is for mamma. You don't expect me to swallow that. Give mamma the result of your meditations, like a good boy."

"I said I was thinking of the chapter, for one thing," said Frank, not at all angry, though he reddened a little. "I was thinking, besides, whether that was a proper book for you to be reading to-night, `The Swiss Family,' is it not?"

"Sold," cried Jem, triumphantly; "it is the `Pilgrim's Progress.'"

"You have read that before," said Violet.

"Lots of times. It will bear it. But what about Hobab, Frank? Much you care about the old chap, don't you? Davie, come here and listen to Frank."

"If you would only give Frank a chance to speak," said his mother, smiling.

"Did Hobab go, do you think, aunt?" asked Frank.

"He refused to go," said Jem. "Don't you remember he said, `I will not go, but I will depart into my own land, and to my kindred?'"

"Yes; but that was before Moses said, `Thou mayest be to us instead of eyes, forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in this wilderness.' You see, he had a chance of some adventures; that might tempt him. Do you think he went, aunt?"

"I cannot tell; afterwards we hear of Heber the Kenite, who was of the children of Hobab; and his wife took the part of the Israelites, when she slew Sisera. But whether he went with the people at that time, we do not hear. Very likely he did. I can understand how the people's need of him as a guide, or a guard, might have seemed to him a better reason for casting in his lot with the people, than even the promise that Moses gave him, `Come with us and we will do thee good.'"

"That is to say, mamma, he would rather have a chance to help others, than the prospect of a good time for himself. That is not the way with people generally," said Jem, shaking his head gravely.

"It is not said that it was the way with Hobab," said his mother; "but I am inclined to think, with Francis, that perhaps it might have been so."

"He must have been a brave man and a good man, or Moses would not have wanted him," said David.

"And if he went for the sake of a home in the promised land, he must have been disappointed. He did not get there for forty years, if he got there at all," said Jem.

"But if he went for the fighting he may have had a good time in the wilderness, for there must have been many alarms, and a battle now and then," said Frank.

"But, mamma," said Violet, earnestly, "they had the pillar of cloud, and the pillar of fire, and the Angel of the Covenant going before. Why should we suppose they needed the help of Hobab?"

"God helps them that help themselves, Letty, dear," said Jem.

"Gently, Jem," said his mother; "speak reverently, my boy. Yes, Letty, they were miraculously guarded and guided; but we do not see that they were allowed to fold their hands and do nothing. God fought for them, and they fought for themselves. And as for Hobab, he must have been a good and brave man, as David says, and so the chances are he went with the people, thinking less of what he could get for himself than of what he could do for others, as is the way with good and brave men."