a parent ;-almost forgetting his own necessities, he comes to the Throne of Grace with the names of his children engraved on his heart, and for them he implores counsel, protection and pardon !

The manner of consecrating the priests-the morning and evening sacrifice-were at this interview prescribed, and the weekly sabbath again strictly enjoined. And here let me observe, that, much as the rigid letter of this invaluable institution is now contested, no one precept of the moral law is more frequently or imperatively enforced ::-"My sabbaths ye shall keep, that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.' And lastly, two tables of stone, containing the Ten Commandments, "written with the finger of God," were delivered to Moses.

But while the Hebrew chief was thus transcendently exalted, the unhappy people of his charge were debasing themselves. Already forgetful of the unparalleled benefit bestowed upon them, and in open violation of their recent engagement, to have "no other God before Him who had brought them out of the house of bondage," they had set up an idol; and Moses was hastened by their all-seeing Judge, to descend, and witness their merited punishment -even their utter extermination whilst himself should be signally exalted! Solicitous for the glory of that Name that had been graciously attached, in the sight of all Egypt, to his undeserving nation, rather than his own elevation, he ventured to linger in the mount, whilst he implored the "God of Israel" not to abandon his people, and thereby afford an occasion of exultation to their enemies.

Returning to the camp he found the whole assembly dancing and singing before their idol. Impatient of their detention in the desert, and the long absence of their conductor, they had compelled his brother to make them an image of gold, to go before them to Canaan, and had proclaimed before it"These be thy gods, O. Israel, which brought thee out of Egypt !"

Catherine. Did Aaron, their high priest, participate in the monstrous defection?

Mother. He had not yet been invested with that dignified character; but he had been the minister of God, and

ought to have resisted the clamours of a turbulent people, whose crime can be but little extenuated, by the charitable supposition, that they meant not to impair their allegiance to their legitimate sovereign, but merely to erect an ensign or standard to go before them; to which, among a people addicted to Polytheism, they had learned to ascribe a sort of mystical influence. Moses had been forty days in the mount; they saw it involved in smoke, and the "glory of the Lord," like devouring fire, on its summit. He might have perished in its flame, and left them without a visible captain-still their offence was most flagrant, both in its nature and circumstances, as we learn unequivocally from the signal punishments inflicted-three thousand of the principal rebels put to death by the hands of their more loyal brethren!

On this occasion the illustrious Chieftain gave a noble example of his disinterestedness, by intreating, that his own life might be accepted as an expiation for the sins of his people; that he might be excluded from the promised land rather than that the whole people of his charge should be cut off; but a full pardon was granted for all except the leaders, on his intercession, and the penitent congregation testified their gratitude by contributing materials for the tabernacle and the vestments of the priests, with profuse liberality. Silver and gold, and brass and jewels; threads, spun by the women, of purple, of blue, and scarlet, and fabrics of the finest texture were brought in till all was completed.

Will

Charles. There is, I remember, a very long description of the tabernacle, but I cannot understand it. you, mother, give us some idea of it?

Mother. The directions given to Moses, for constructing the tabernacle, were very particular; they will therefore be tedious to you. They were necessarily minute, because every part was significant; a general description, however, will suffice our present purpose. The tabernacle, strictly so called, was a large tent thirty-two cubits* in length, and twelve in breadth, divided into two apartments. In the inner one, stood the Ark of the Covenant; that is, a

*This cubit was half a yard of our measure, according to Burder.

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THE TABERNACLE.

chest containing the two tables of stone which were given to Moses on Mount Sinai; this was denominated the Most holy place. A veil of singular beauty, and impenetrable thickness concealed this sacred depository, and excluded every creature, except the High Priest. Without the veil, in the second division, stood an altar for burning incense; a table, called the table of show bread, and a candlestick with seven lamps, of exquisite workmanship, to keep a light continually burning. To these two apartments, was appended a third, which was called the court of the tabernacle, and was an hundred cubits long and fifty broad. This court was appropriated to the altar for burntofferings the laver or bath, to purify the priests, before they went within to officiate, and for the reception of the people who waited in prayer whilst their sacrifices were consuming. This last was open at the top, the other two divisions were covered. The whole was surrounded by curtains of rich tapestry, and comprehended under the general appellation of the Tabernacle, or, the Sanctuary. Staves of wood, overlaid with gold, were prepared to carry both the ark and the table, from place to place.

The table and the candlestick were of gold, and the ark was inlaid, within and without, with that precious metal. The cover, which was called the Mercy Seat, was of pure gold, and over it two cherubim of beaten gold, extended their wings; between them, and over the ark, which contained the Covenant, the God of Mercy was pleased to manifest his presence, and to answer the supplications of his people.

Fanny. A Covenant, I understand to mean a contract; why were the tables called a Covenant?

Mother. Because, on them were written the conditions on which the Great Supreme, on the one part, had condescended to promise certain blessings to the posterity of Jacob; and they, on the other, had accepted the terms, and solemnly promised obedience; the tables were, there. fore, a Covenant, or contract.

Catherine. The manufacture of all these curious articles would require a considerable knowledge of the fine

arts.

Mother. Egypt, the native country of the Hebrews,

THE TABERNACLE.

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possessed all the requisite knowledge in very early times but the sacred furniture was not committed to the previous acquirements of the travellers. Several persons were expressly named to Moses, and endowed with extraordinary talents for the execution of the work.

(B. C. 1490.) Every thing being finished, according to the model prescribed in the mount, the sacred sanctuary was raised, the veil was suspended, the altars, the table, and the candlestick, were fixed in their places, on the first day of the second year of their abode in the wilderness of Sinai. The princes of the tribes presented their oblations-silver and golden vessels, and cattle and herds, for the dedication. Sacrifice and incense were offered, and the most glorious demonstration of the divine presence attested their acceptance. Light, insupportably resplendent, filled the tabernacle of Jehovah, so that not even Moses could remain within, while the bright cloud descended, and covered the exterior. So long as this authoritative signal remained in that position, and ever afterwards, during their long pilgrimage, whensoever it was assumed—the Israelites rested. When the cloud rose and moved forward, they followed; their benignant conductor irradiating by night, and over-shadowing by day, their trackless course through the burning desert of Arabia.

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LEVITICUS.

Mother. The sacred tabernacle and its furniture being in perfect readiness for the religious service of the children of Israel, the book of Leviticus proceeds to prescribe its ordinances, and the duties of the Levites, its ministers. It is chiefly devoted to these details, without the intervention of much incident.

Fanny. We are to have a dull conversation, then, this evening; but pray let me ask, is it necessary that we should be made acquainted with a system in which we are wholly unconcerned?

Mother. If that were the case, I would not ask your attention. I have known your seniors in age, my dear, commit the same error into which you have fallen; I would rectify that, by showing you our interest in the Jewish economy, although I do not intend to be so minute as you seem to apprehend. The scheme of salvation is one and the same from all eternity, although it is exhibited under different dispensations. That gospel which was published by the Redeemer of the world—and confirmed by his death, was prefigured in emblems, by the ceremonial law of the Israelites. They explain and establish one another; the analogy has been elucidated by many excellent volumes, some of which you will read with more pleasure than I can hope to excite, yet we must not pass them in silence.

The laws of Moses have been divided into three classes, Moral, Typical or Ceremonial, and Political. The first are of universal and immutable obligation; originally given to man, and since found impressed on the heart of every creature, endued with reason and conscience-but now first delivered in written characters, and on tables of stone to denote their permanent nature. The second, in shadows too obscure to be fully understood at the time of their prescription,-yet sufficiently clear to elicit and sustain the faith of its subjects,-indicated the pollution and