as by miracle, and waited, spear in hand, for the signal to march. The cattle were loaded with the tents, the banners stood unfurled. But no trumpet sounded from the sanctuary. Towards evening the whole train of the priests and elders were seen issuing from the great central tent, and approaching the mountain. The camp was filled with rumours of the cause; but a sacred awe restrained every step. The sacred tribe of the Levites ranged themselves round the foot of the mountain, while the leader of Israel, the high-priest, and the son of the high-priest, alone ascended to the summit. The mystery was now revealed by the Seers, who passed through the host, and declared the Divine will. The high-priest had been summoned to the close of his labours. The command had been issued from the oracle, that he should yield up his mortal existence on the summit of Mount Hor, and there transmit his office to his eldest born. A night of peace and refreshing to Israel had declared to the people that this holy servant of heaven was to be taken away in peace, and rest in the paradise of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. What I saw on that evening has lived to this hour before my soul. As the three majestic forms slowly rose along the mountain's side, they seemed to grow in majesty. The sun had long gone below the horizon, and the marble pinnacles were bathed in the purple of an Eastern twilight; but the path of the three mighty men of Israel streamed with increasing radiance. Light flowed from their robes, and they already bore the aspect of immortality. Every eye of the millions of Israel was turned to the summit of the mount; and all acknowledged the mercy and the grandeur of their King. But even while they gazed, a new wonder was revealed. An orb of glory rushed down with the swiftness of lightning from the centre of the heavens ; it stood over the spot where the high-priest was to surrender up his charge, and enter into the reward of the righteous; at the moment when he unclasped the jewelled breast-plate, the urim and thummim, from a heart that had never beat but with love to man and homage to the great Sustainer of all, the orb threw out a broad sheet of lustre that enveloped the group. Shapes, of a magnificence and beauty not to be told by mortal tongue, the sons of higher worlds, were seen hovering on the wing above that solemn parting. There the mission of Aaron was at an end; there Moses heard the last accents of the great companion of his toils; there Eleazar caught the last wisdom of years from the lips of his illustrious parent. On that spot where he must be gathered to his fathers, the robe of the priesthood was surrendered by Aaron; and, in the fulness of labours and of years, yet untouched by infirmity, the high-priest submitted to the hand of heaven. He slept with the sons of holiness; the earth fled, like a dream, from his eyes, and he opened them upon the world of glory. While every eye was still fixed upon the mountain, a column of intense splendour shot upwards from its brow; sounds of unearthly grandeur and richness again swelled upon the ear; and all Israel, falling on the earth, offered up a solemn aspiration of faith, love, and gratitude to the mighty Being who had so long been the guardian of his people. The harmony passed away with the thanksgiving. But the column of fire burned with celestial vividness until dawn. For thirty days the people, overwhelmed with awe, stung with penitence, and yet glowing with homage, hope, and adoration, poured out their prayers in sight of Mount Hor. For thirty days they mourned for the dead. For thirty days the pillar of celestial light flamed on the spot where he lay: and all Israel gazed in sorrow and wonder on the tomb of Aaron, the son of Amram, and high-priest of Israel. My children, what shall I say more? Years, many and strange, have passed over my head, since the hour when the spirit of the mighty priest and prophet passed away. But I still see the procession moving up the mountain side; the sounds of the hymn that never came from mortal lips, still descend solemn and superb to my ear; the flame of that living glory still burns in memory above the bed of the man of God, and flashes long streams of brightness over the desert. But all things vanish. I, too, must be gone. A hundred weary years are upon the forehead of Chemosh. Let me be laid at the foot of the mountain made holy by the death of the holy. Bear me, my children, to the desert, and let me rest, where, in my days of strength, vanity, and power, I was humbled, and brought to the knowledge of the Lord. Let my death be the death of the righteous, and let my latter days be as theirs, who sleep in the dust to awake where age and sorrow are unknown. My children, what can I say more? LINES ADDRESSED TO THE BISHOP OF CALCUTTA ON HIS ARRIVAL IN INDIA. How sweet upon the sparkling stream How sweet to roam midst Eastern flowers, That rustles through palmyrah trees! How sweet in mangoe tope to stray, But sweeter far it is to trace The first soft glow of heavenly grace, Sweeter to mark that lamp divine Servant of God! thine aid employ, Mid bamboo huts on palmy plains, Go, place before their wond'ring sight Bid them renounce each idol god, And when angelic envoys come, |