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the entreaty of his servant ;-be satisfied with the privileges and blessings thou hast already receiv ed;—" speak no more unto me of this matter. Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes; for thou shalt not go over this Jordan. And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered."

It would seem, that this injunction was not intended to be immediately carried into effect. The intervening events will be noticed in their order.

We may not know with any degree of certainty, as Moses did, the near approach of death, while we are in possession of our usual health. Yet it may come, soon and unexpectedly. No voice from heaven gives us notice of this; but we are continually warned of it by what is going on around us.

How many, my young friend, in the circle of your acquaintances and friends, have you been called to part with by their removal from this world? Are some who were very near and dear to you among the number? Have you stood by their dying bed, and watched in anguish the last convulsive struggle, that emancipates the soul from its earthly tabernacle, and introduces it into the Let its eternal world? Recall the affecting scene. solemn images come up distinctly before your mind.

Dwell upon them, till the impressions which the reality once produced, are renewed.

Follow your departed friend into the world of spirits. Think of its endless retributions. There you must soon be. You know not how soon!

CHAPTER LX.

Joshua appointed to succeed Moses. Destruction of the Midianites and of Balaam.

Who shall occupy his place, when Moses leaves the charge which he has so long sustained? Can he undertake to select a successor? He dares not attempt it. He refers the whole matter to the divine disposal. "Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, which may go out before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd." What a beautiful and touching petition! How appropriate, how tender the associations connected with the pastoral life, that its language revives! How nobly disinterested its spirit! He who utters it, about to retire from a most ho

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norable and responsible station, has only the good of his countrymen at heart in the choice of his sucThat choice he leaves unreservedly to the Lord. As for himself, he has no purpose to answer of a personal kind. He has no favorite to please; no family-friend to provide for; no wish to gratify of having his own wisdom admired in the selection he should make, or the glory of his name identified with the reputation of the individual who should tread in his steps.

He was directed to take Joshua, the son of Nun, a man, said the Lord, in whom is the Spirit. Possessing this divine influence-this communication to his soul by God himself of a portion of his own wisdom and power, justice and truth, holiness and benevolence he was of all others among the Israelites the best qualified to be the successor of Moses. It was the same Joshua who displayed his valor so conspicuously in the defeat of the Amalekites at Rephidim; who accompanied Moses when he ascended Mount Sinai and abode there forty days; who seems to have had some peculiar duties to perform at the tabernacle, which required his constant attendance; who was one of the two faithful spies that made a fair report of the promised land, maintaining, in opposition to their associates, that its conquest was practicable; who, with Caleb, alone survived, of all who had been number. ed thirty-eight years before, and of this number

were alone to have the distinguished honor of crossing the Jordan, and entering Canaan. His very name, the import of which is Saviour, seemed to mark him for the high station that he was destined to fill.

In obedience to the divine directions, Moses installed Joshua into office, in the presence of Eleazar the high-priest, and of the whole congregation assembled for the purpose: constituting him his associate in the government of the people; giving him a solemn charge with regard to the duties which he would have to perform; and encouraging him, in the strength of the Lord, to go forward in his course, faithfully and fearlessly.

Moses had received communications directly from God himself. But Joshua was not to enjoy this distinguished honor. When he wished to ascertain the will of the Lord, he must apply to the high-priest, who would ask counsel for him. Jehovah would thus be his guide. He had lived long enough, for he was now one hundred and two years of age, to experience much of the divine goodness and truth; and it seems from his subse quent history, that he indeed had the spirit, and followed the example of his illustrious predecessor.

About this time, Moses received from the Lord, and made known to the Israelites several laws and ordinances respecting the stated sacrifices, whether daily, weekly, monthly, or annual; the feast of

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trumpets, of expiation, and of tabernacles; and the observance of vows. He was also directed now to proceed in carrying into effect the command formerly given, to inflict the punishment of divine justice upon the Midianites. The measure of their iniquity was full. They had lately attempted, at the instigation of Balaam, to lead the Israelites into the grossest wickedness, and had succeeded; and this people were, in the providence of God, to be the executioners of his vengeance upon them.

Twelve thousand men, armed for war, an equal number being taken from each tribe, were selected for this purpose. We are not told who commanded the expedition. Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the high-priest, attended it; carrying with him, as some suppose, the ark with its contents, and the sacred trumpets to be blown on the prescribed occasions.

Five kings were slain in the battles that were fought. Balaam, also, who was among them, fell by the sword, miserably cut off in the midst of his days; a signal example of disappointed ambition, and of the retributive vengeance of God. Every man of the Midianites was put to death. Their cities and strong places were destroyed. The women and children were taken captives, and together with many and rich spoils, including the flocks and herds, brought by the victors to the the Israelites.

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Moses Eleazar and all the princes of the con