Jews perverted, by a literal interpretation, the order to "shew their sons these things, and wear them for a sign upon their hand and a memorial between their eyes ?"

MARY. I don't know, Mama.

MAMA. They wrote the words of this very chapter on little rolls of parchment called “phylacteries," and bound them like charms on their wrists and foreheads; not aware that it was on their heart that God had promised to "write all his laws." Inferior, however, as were these outward symbols to inward piety, (as was seen in the case of the Pharisees, who made great use of them,) they may rebuke those among us who, by despising external memorials of their spiritual deliverance, give too much reason to doubt their value for its inward effects.

With this remark let us end our present lesson, enforcing it by the words of our blessed Lord; who, (speaking of the minor observances of the Mosaic ritual, as opposed to its "weightier matters" of" judgment and mercy,") hath said, "these ought ye to have done, but not to leave the other undone." Remember the use of all religious observances is either to testify that the heart is already right with God, or as the appointed means of enabling it to become so. Instead of writing, (like the superstitious Jews,)

the fundamental doctrines of our faith on perishable scraps of parchment, let us pray God to engrave them on our inmost souls, not " making broad," like the Pharisees, these external ornaments of a sanctified profession, but displaying in our lives the only true evidence of our spiritual deliverance, even living faith and renewed obedience.

75

MORNING SEVENTH.

LESSON.-Exodus, Chapters xiii. (from v. 17), xiv. and xv.

MAMA. Numerous, my dear Mary, as are the instances of divine vengeance on despisers of God, recorded for our instruction in the Bible, I know of none more striking and terrible than the subjects of this day's lesson. We have seen nearly all the powers of nature wielded in vain by him who is their author, for the chastisement and humiliation of Pharaoh, and are now called upon to behold with awe, on the margin of the Red Sea, the God by whom alone" its proud waves could be stayed," withholding his retaining hand, and burying in their fathomless depths the enemies of himself and his people. These things, Mary, were recorded for our edification. The "red right arm of the Lord," though no longer "made bare" as of old to our wondering senses, is not shortened, that it cannot either

save or punish with the same resistless energy; and the sea which rolled its closing billows over Pharaoh and his host, is but a faint emblem of that abyss of "destruction from the face of the Lord and his anointed," which awaits the ungodly at the latter day.

But let us turn to the more encouraging features of this awful narration. What kind condescension in God to the fears of a newly emancipated race of slaves, do we find in the close of the 13th chapter!

MARY. He would not lead the people the near way by the land of the Philistines, "lest they should see war and be afraid," but through the wilderness of the Red Sea. Why was it called "Red," Mama?

MAMA. The most likely explanation is, that as it was called sea of Edom, and that word in Hebrew signifies also" red," the Greeks thus translated it, not knowing it to be a proper name. Its ancient Hebrew name was the " sea of weeds," per

haps from its profusion of coral, long mistaken for a vegetable production.

MARY.

ites crossed?

How broad was it where the Israel

MAMA. About twelve miles, it is supposed, and the spot is so ascertained by constant tradition, as well as by the names of places, (expres

sive of local situation), recorded by Moses, that there can be little doubt respecting it. The name, "Pihahiroth," meaning the "mouth of the ridge," identifies it with an opening in the great chain of mountains that line the western coast. So far we have the direct authority of Scripture, and it is very pleasing to the Christian who visits the memorable scene, to have it corroborated by native traditions, and the remarkable Arab names of "Attaca," or deliverance, the " cape of Moses," "the springs and bay of Pharaoh;" while the whole gulf bears the awfully significant title to this day of "Bahr el Kolsum," the Bay of Submersion.

But before proceeding to the passage, what did the Israelites carry up with them from Egypt, in testimony of their own faith and that of others?

MARY. The bones of Joseph, who had expressly ordered it.

MAMA. And under what gracious symbol was the Lord of Hosts pleased to manifest himself as the guardian and guide of his people?

MARY. In a pillar of cloud by day, to shew them the way, and a pillar of fire by night, to give them light. How kind this was of God, Mama!

MAMA. Yes, Mary, these manifestations must