Let us now turn our eyes to the struggle in the valley below. There we meet "the confused noise of the warrior, and garments rolled in blood :" the alternate shouts of acclamation and triumph, mingling with the piercing shrieks of the wounded, and the groans of the dying. Israel, now hurrying on to victory, and anon flying before the insulting foe. The event for a while is awfully in doubt; turning upon the strength and feebleness, not of thousands, but of one single arm; decided at length, not by the edge of the sword, but the elevation or depression of a rod; and that rod swayed, not by the skill and prowess of Joshua, but the firmness and devotion of Moses.

But now, doubt and anxiety are at an end. The hands of Moses are propped up, and Israel finally prevails. And what heart save that of an Amalekite but must rejoice in the issue? "The cunning is taken in his own craftiness." A design of violence and blood "falls upon the head of him that contrived it. The righteous and innocent cause bears down pride and cruelty. We behold the destination of heaven standing good, the birthright sold away, the blessing anticipated; the elder made subject to the younger. "God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him and hath prospered ?""*

HISTORY OF MOSES.

LECTURE LII

And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him: and they asked each other of their welfare: and they came into the tent. And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh, and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel: whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said. Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand

of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for, in the thing wherein they dealt proudly, he was above them. And Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God. And Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses's father-in-law before God.-EXODUS xviii. 7-12.

THE great Author and Ruler of the world nas evidently in view the pleasure and happiness, as well as the wisdom and virtue of his rational creatures. We find, through the widely expanded frame of nature, and the extensive plan of Providence, as many sources of joy as there are means of improvement. What an infinite, beautiful, and pleasing variety in the works and in the ways of God! all ministering to human comfort, all aiming at making men good. The mind of man is formed to desire and to relish variety. The objects with which he is conversant are therefore varied without end, to gratify that desire, and to correspond with that relish. The glare of perpetual sunshine and the fervid heat of an eternal summer, would speedily oppress and destroy mankind: but, relieved by the tranquillity of darkness, the freshness of spring, the sedateness of autumn, and even the gloom of winter, they become no less grateful than they are beneficial. In surveying the globe, the eye is not permitted to tire by having to crawl along a boundless plain; but sparkles with delight as it springs from valley to valley, and from hill to hill. And even the glories of the starry heavens are rendered still more glorious by being kept in continual motion; and thereby are made continually to exhibit a different appearance.

The very structure of the sacred compositions is inimitably calculated, by a beautiful and easy transition from subject to subject, and from scene to scene, to relieve and yet to preserve the attention: presenting always a new and interesting object, or the same object placed in a new and interesting light. Thus the tumultuous, noisy, and bloody scenes of Horeb and Rephidim-scenes of murmuring, rebellion, and war, are happily relieved by scenes of domestic tranquillity, love, and joy; and we are prepared to attend Moses, to meet God in the mount, by mixing in the virtuous, cheerful, and affectionate intercourse of his private family.

Let us then thankfully take the relief which a gracious God has in his word provided for us; and contemplate one of those calm, but neither uninteresting nor uninstructive representations of human life, which come home to the bosom and the fireside of every man who has a heart, who has a relation, who has a friend.

The history of Moses now looks back, and reminds us of his being "a stranger in a strange land:" namely, of his fleeing from Egypt into Midian, of his arriving there, conducted of Providence, just at the moment to render a seasonable service to the daughters of Raguel, or Jethro, the priest of Midian; of the hospitable reception afforded him by that worthy man, and of the alliance which he formed with him, by marrying his daughter Zipporah. Upon his being called back to Egypt to undertake the weighty charge which God had assigned him, he had intended and attempted to carry his wife and children along with him. But being reproved of God by the way for neglecting in his own family the rite of circumcision, the seal of God's covenant, and, either specially admo

The events of human life, for the same reason, are endlessly variegated like the objects of sense. Wretched were the dull stagnation of constant prosperity, success, and ease. Intolerable would be the agitation and distress of unceasing, unabating, unrelenting toil, pain, disappointment, and vexation of spirit. But, one thing being set over against another, the great, the prosperous, and the happy are forever admonished, reproved, and brought low; the poor, the despised, and the miserable are cheered, sup-nished from Heaven, or following the dicported, and exalted.

The word of God exhibits a resemblance to the system of nature, and to the conduct of Providence. In it we have the same pleasing, engaging variety; the same happy accommodation to the tastes, occasions, and necessities of mankind. The antiquarian and the naturalist, the politician and the legislator, the poet and the philosopher, the moralist and the divine, the man of retirement and the man of the world, the man of reason and the man of fancy, all find in scripture an helper toward the discovery of truth, and the attainment of happiness; a guide to the understanding, a corrector and supporter of the imagination, a comforter of the heart, a teacher of wisdom, a rule of faith, a source af joy.

tates of human prudence, he sends them all back to his father-in-law, as likely to prove either a burden or a hindrance to himself, in the discharge of his great trust. For true piety, while it reposes entire confidence in God, will never presumptuously load Providence with what is the proper work and business of man. Diligence and foresight, as well as faith and hope, are its genuine offspring. But the tempest being now blown over, and Moses, of a messenger and a suppliant unto Pharaoh, being now become the head and leader of a great nation, it was natural for him and for his family mutually to desire to be restored to each other. Jethro, therefore, having received information where Israel was, and what the Lord had done for them, takes his daughter and grandchildren,

LECT. LII.]

HISTORY OF MOSES.

and carries them with him to the camp of Israel.

The innocent endearments of natural affection, and the honest communications of private friendship, are graciously intended to alleviate the cares of public life, and to strengthen the mind by diverting it from incessant and intense application to serious business. No man can always be a general, a statesman, or a king. And happy it is for those who occupy these exalted but troublesome stations, that they are frequently permitted to sink the public in the private character, and to drop the hero, the senator, the judge, the sovereign, in the man.

Distance has not alienated affection between the man of God and his family. A slighter affection is effaced and destroyed by absence; a stronger love is confirmed and inflamed by it. Good old Jethro satisfies not himself with sending by the mouth of another a compliment of congratulation to his son-in-law; neither will he permit Zipporah and her sons to go unaccompanied, unprotected through the wilderness; but, aged and infirm as he was, chooses himself to be their companion and their protector.

Public men have too often two different cha-
racters. Plausible and specious, humble, mo-
dest, and insinuating before the world, they
are self-willed and tyrannical, confident, as-
suming, and brutal in private; they often
fawn where they fear, and domineer where
they have power. Not so the meek and gen-
tle prophet and judge of Israel. He waits
not in state till his relations are admitted to
pay their homage. He reckons it nothing
derogatory to his high dignity to go forth to
pay the respect due to age; and to humble
the son, however high in place, at the feet of
the parent. "And Moses went out to meet
his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kiss-
ed him; and they asked each other of their
welfare; and they came into the tent." Were
it after the separation of but a day, friends
have a thousand questions to ask, a thousand
little incidents to relate: about their health,
their entertainment, their dangers, their de-
liverances; about the observations which
they have made, the projects they may have
formed. What must it then have been for
two such friends, for such a father and son,
after a separation of many months, during
which, events of such high moment to both
had taken place, to meet together again in
health and comfort, to communicate mutual-
ly the full soul, to retire into the tent, to shut
out the world, and give vent to the overflow-
ings of tenderness and affection!

And with what a subject of conversation are they furnished; "And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done untc Pharaoh, and to the Egyptians, for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them." The most trifling incidents which befall a brother, a friend, a child, are inter

Moses seems to take delight in delivering to us this passage of his life. He is amiably minute and circumstantial in the detail of it. He dwells upon the tender and affecting recollections of sorrows and of joys that are past. His heart is in it. He stops in his narration to tell us the names of his two sons, and his reason for giving them those names. "The name of the one was Gershom: for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: and the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my fathers, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh." Is this beneath the dignity of history, of sa-esting and important. What must then have cred history? No, it is the most honourable province of history, to exhibit the honest, unsophisticated feelings of nature, the genuine workings of the human heart, the real, though What signihumbler scenes of human life. fies to us the meeting of two old men three thousand three hundred years ago? Much every way. One of them is a Moses, and that Moses is describing his own sentiments, unveiling his own heart. He can serve as an instructer and an example to none, in respect of the prophetic dignity, as the bearer of the potent rod, as the man whose face shone, by forty days' intimate communion with God. He can instruct but a few, by his wisdom and sagacity as a prince and a lawgiver. But as a son, a husband, and a father, he is a pattern to myriads, and shall continue to teach to the end of the world.

How pleasant it is to find this great man the same in retirement and privacy that he is upon the great theatre; and delineating a battle, a triumph, and a family meeting, with the same simplicity and godly sincerity!

been the emotions of Jethro to hear the wonders of Egypt, to learn the great things of God, astonishing in themselves, and acquiring an additional weight, creating a new interest, from the person who related them, and who was himself so deeply concerned in the event?

But the good man is elevated, as he wondering listens to the wonderful tale, above all personal and selfish regards, above the partiality of private friendship, above the tenderness of natural affection. His heart dilates at the thought of a whole nation delivered, of a tyrant trampled in the dust, of the power, wisdom, and mercy of God magnified. "And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel; whom he had delivered out of the hands of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods; for in the

20

thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them."

unafraid of being overlooked, neglected, and forgotten in the multitude of the redeemed, who there live, and reign, and "rejoice, with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

This friendly interview issues in a solemn, religious service, in which Aaron and all the elders of Israel are called to assist. What a Observe how even a Moses may err in an blessed influence has true religion, in conci- excess of zeal, through ignorance, inexperiliating kindness and confirming friendship! ence, or inattention. Desirous of doing good When men cordially agree in the same glo- by administering justice impartially, he cares rious object of worship, the little peculiarities not what trouble and labour it may cost himof form will not obstruct the mutual attrac-self. The service of fear or of necessity is tion of brotherly love. Prejudice will droop slow, reluctant, partial, and imperfect; the and die, and charity will draw a veil over its labour of love is cheerful, active, and perseneighbour's singularities and imperfections.vering. Moses is in the way of his duty earHappy the family whose union is cemented ly and late. If the public be served faithfulby piety; the family whose happiness and peace are built upon the love of God; whose employments, communications, and pursuits are improved and sanctified by prayer!

ly, if equity be dispensed, if God be glorified, he is willing to spend and to be spent in such a cause. "And Moses said unto his fatherin-law, because the people come unto me to inquire of God: when they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws."*

We have seen Jethro in the character of a pious man, an affectionate neighbour, and a kind relation. We see him now blending with these excellent qualities the character of an able statesman and sagacious politician. There is no man so wise as not to need instruction, and none so simple as to be inca

Due attention having been paid to the calls of hospitality, the dictates of private friendship, and the demands of filial duty, Moses reverts next day betimes to the discharge of the duties of his public station. The time, the talents of the minister of God are not his own, they belong to mankind. Superficial observers who consider but the eminence of the place which a magistrate fills, the robe which he wears, the respect with which he is attended, look up to him with envy, and call him blessed. They think not of the thousand sa-pable of sometimes giving advice. Jethro crifices which he his constrained to make of his ease, of his inclination, of his health, of his natural propensities, of his private attachments. They talk of the honours and emoluments of his office, but they overlook his anxious days, his painful toils, his sleepless nights, the causeless hatred which he incurs, the unprovoked insults which he must bear, and must not resent, the surrender which he must make of solid and substantial felicity, and the exchange of real and certain tranquillity, for uncertain usefulness or precarious reputation. Who would not be Moses, to sit on high and judge the people? But who would be Moses, to have the people stand by him for judgment, "from the morning to the evening!"

plainly perceived, that the course of life which his son-in-law was pursuing must soon prove fatal to him. That, by attempting what was beyond his strength to bear or perform, he was in the way of quickly rendering himself unable to do any thing at all. He therefore proposes a subdivision of the toil, by the appointment of proper men to the office of judge, who might try and determine the causes of less importance, and apply to Moses, and to God, through him, only in matters of high moment, and as the last resort. Thus Moses would be greatly relieved, many good men would be trained up to the useful, honourable and important employment of judging between his brethren, and the people meanwhile sustain no damage.

The obscure part of mankind are little sen- The qualities which he points out as requisible what they owe to Providence for their site to constitute this character, show how obscurity. They can go out and come in un-carefully he had considered the subject, and noticed. They can go to rest when they will, how well fitted he was to advise in a matter and continue it as long as they please. They of this kind. Let those who have the appointhave no vigilant, jealous, envious eye overment of judges study well what he says, and them. They are free from the dreadful con- act accordingly. "Thou shalt provide out of flict of inclination and duty, of interest and all the people able men, such as fear God, men conscience, of reverence for God, and respect of truth, hating covetousness: and place such for man. They can enjoy their families and over them, to be rulers of thousands, and friends. What they have, however little, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers they can call their own. What, compared of tens."t to these, and such advantages as these, is the ermine cloak, the ivory sceptre, the gem-encircled crown? Rejoice, O man, that the world knows thee not, cares not for thee, condescends not to trouble thy repose. Creep thy way silently, I beseech thee, to heaven;

The first requisite in a judge, according to Jethro, is ability. He must be a man of sense, penetration, and discernment. Because with the best intentions, a stupid, weak, or dissipated man, will be apt to err in judgment; † Ver. 21.

* Exod. xviii. 15, 16.