like Christ. With what patience and singular forbearance did he endure the repeated murmurings of his countrymen against him, and the gross insults which they offered to his rightful and beneficent authority. Once, they were even ready to stone him and all this, notwithstanding the selfsacrifice which he had undergone in their behalf, and the deep obligations of gratitude that rested upon them, to repay his services with affectionate and confiding obedience.

What a beautiful exhibition of this trait of his character was called forth, when his own brother and sister, moved with envy, treated him, in regard to both his domestic and public concerns, in the most unjustifiable manner. He bore their insinuations in silence; and when the Lord inflicted a condign punishment upon Miriam, how quickly and earnestly did Moses implore the divine mercy in her behalf. With what deep contrition of soul and self-reproach were they both, doubtless, affected at their base ingratitude towards so kind and forgiving a brother!

The meekness of Moses gave an additional grace to the dignity and noble-mindedness of his character. When will the great and honorable ones of the earth appreciate this truth, and imitate his example? When will even the disciples of Christ learn more faithfully to follow their divine Master in this respect, and like Moses, go forward in the

course of duty," with all lowliness, and meekness, and long-suffering." Then may they hope to be directed and cheered in this course by the presence of God, as Moses was, in the midst of its numerous perplexities and trials. For "the meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way."

Great disinterestedness is another striking trait in the character of Moses.

Scrutinize his history from its commencement to its close, and where can you find any thing mean or selfish in his actions or their motives? The glory of the Almighty Being whom he served, and the best good of his countrymen, thankless and rebellious as they so often were, formed the great objects towards which his affections and purposes were constantly directed. Personal aggrandizement he never sought. Twice did Jehovah himself, in his holy indignation against the offending Israelites, threaten utterly to destroy them, and propose to make of Moses and his offspring a great nation. What an honor, to be conferred by the hand of the Almighty! What visions of temporal prosperity and grandeur, did the offer spread before him and his descendants! He had not solicited it. He had not even thought of it. It came unexpectedly, and was made in the freest and fullest manner. Who but one as meek and disinterested as Moses, would have declined it. He did de

cline it, promptly and earnestly. He besought the Lord with the most fervent importunity to pardon the offenders, and to turn away from them the terrible expressions of his displeasure. His prayers prevailed; and this instance of self-denying bene. volence is left on record, to try us who read the account of it; to test our disinterested devotedness to the welfare of our fellow-men, when it may seem to come in competition with our own worldly advancement.

The tribe to which Moses belonged, that of Levi, was to have no earthly possessions, nor could those who composed it ever attain any political distinction. His own sons were but common Levites, having no elevation of rank above their brethren. Of the spoils taken in war, we never read of the portion allotted to Moses. Thus at all points, and with regard to things of the greatest, and of less importance, did this faithful servant of the Lord show the spirit of self-sacrifice which actuated him, and prove that infinitely higher and holier considerations than those of earthly emolument or glory, were the ones, and the only ones which could produce conduct so disinterested.

From the traits of character which have already been mentioned, we should expect that the fidelity of Moses in the service of the Lord, would be one as striking as any of the rest. Such is the fact. Indeed, his faith, his spirit of prayer, his humility, his

meekness, and his disinterestedness, were but so many qualifications to prepare him for this service, and for the constant and pre-eminent fidelity which it required. It was a singularly arduous service; continued through a long course of years; and in the midst of perplexities, and difficulties, and trials, of the most discouraging kind. Moses, in the strength of Jehovah, met them with an untiring and zealous perseverance. The Lord directed, and this faithful servant was ever prompt to execute. The Lord led the way, and he followed the path of duty with a confiding and cheerful alacrity.

What a laborious service it must have been! What deep and patient thought it demanded; what cares and anxieties attended it; what activity of mind; what energy of purpose; what self-control; what moral courage; what toilsome efforts; what fatigues and privations! And yet Moses neither faltered nor grew weary. He held on his course, faithful unto the end;-yes, faithful as ever, even when the sentence of death was upon him, and he knew that he was not to witness the consummation of the enterprise, to accomplish which he had devoted himself with such unremitting fidelity.

Thus we see what fervent piety towards God, and what self-denying benevolence towards man, shone forth through his whole life. He had, indeed, his errors and sins. But they appear only at 23

Part 2.

Aistant intervals in the sacred narrative; few, very few in number, and lost amid his many aud conspicuous excellencies.

That he had internal corruptions constantly to contend with, there can be no doubt. But, by divine aid, his struggle with them was successful. They seldom gained the ascendancy, or showed themselves in his conversation and conduct. As he made progress in holiness, they continually lost more and more of their power. He approached nearer and nearer to perfection; and what must have been the beautiful symmetry, the heavenly grace, of his whole character, when he was summoned, at last, to enter upon the glorious recompense of his reward. How was his will identified with the divine will! How pure and holy were his affections; what energy of purpose towards all that is true, and right; what elevated desires and aspirations; what a moral grandeur of soul; what a preparation, in all respects, for the higher and nobler service in which he was to be engaged.

How just is the commendation of this extraordinary man, which the Spirit of God has left on record. There arose not a prophet since in Israel, like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face: in all the signs and the wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land: and in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror