right, therefore, thus to pray, as they were daily exposed to sudden attacks from rapacious hordes, (Ex. 17: 8,) and needed to be reminded that all their hope was in that arm, which had brought them up from the house of bondage. At evening the form varied: "Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel;" i. e. return them to their rest again after this fatigue.

It is a pleasant reflection, suggested by this historical incident, that God goes before, and accompanies his believing people, in their journey through this world, to their rest above. And he provides, and points out suitable restingplaces by the way, so that each one may, at least, occasionally say with the Psalmist: "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters." The way in which the Israelites were conducted to Canaan was chiefly a desert-so is the way to the Canaan above. But every desert has its oases; its verdant spots, where the traveler may repose: and, though these may be far distant from each other, with gloomy intervals between, yet, how refreshing, when, at length, he reaches a place where he may repose, and slake his thirst. So with the spiritual traveler to the land of Beulah. Long marches, and distressing conflicts may await him; he may sigh for rest, as the tired dove longs for her window; or, as the parched hart

Pants for a cooling stream at hand,
And he must drink, or die-

Yet, let him not despond. That divine shepherd, who conducts him, will enable him to surmount every obstacle which obstructs his way, or which serves to diminish his strength.

But it is, perhaps, more to our purpose, to remind our readers, that the example of Moses and his people, in invoking the blessing of God morning and evening, while on their journey, should be imitated by them, when in similar circumstances. As we set forth in the morning, either commencing

or prosecuting a journey, how know we what may betide us? How many circumstances may transpire, any one of which may thwart our plans, interrupt our journey, involve us in danger, and even "finish our course." Do we go in our own vehicle? the horse attached may take fright, and dash us down some fatal precipice. Do we embark on board some steamer? some sudden and fatal explosion may, in a moment, send us to the bar of God; or, the fire may kindle, and leave us only the awful alternative-the devouring flames or a watery grave. Or, are we borne by some railroad car? a single pin loosened may whirl us from the track; or a single spike disengaged may send the frightful, death-dealing "snake's-head" through our bodies, terminating life with a single groan.

Ere I set out on a journey, I would hie to my closet, and, with special care, commend my all to God. I would go from the footstool, saying:

My feet shall never slide,

Nor fall in fatal snares,

Since God, my guard and guide,

Defends me from my fears.

Or, if it seems better to my Heavenly Father, that, while absent from home-absent from "wife and children dear," I should meet death, by some sudden and unexpected incident, I would have provided therefor; remembering how truly, solemnly, it has been said, that

a moment we may wish,

When worlds want wealth to buy.

I would prepare for such an emergency, and have had my prayer laid up before the throne of God, that He, with whom there is no surprise, may save me in a moment of such danger; or, if otherwise, and I die—he may, in answer to my prayer, "receive me to glory."

Nor should we fail, when we have gone out, and come in

in safety, to acknowledge the good providence of God, which has been over us. Many, I apprehend, pray for protection, who do not think to thank God for it, when it has been most kindly extended to them. Let those, however, who are so fearful, lest they should meet some Amalekite in the way, and, because of such fears, are quite ready to bespeak the divine protection—-let them not fail, when, in the sequel, they have either avoided such a foe; or, having met, have vanquished him—to return, and give thanks to God. Ten are preserved, where one traveler is even in danger; but, as our Savior asked, in respect to the lepers, whom he had healed, so it may be asked of ten travelers preserved, "Where are the nine?"

NUMBERS.

FIRE QUENCHED THROUGH PRAYER.

And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses: and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched.— Numb. xi. 1, 2.

THE Israelites are again "journeying unto the place which the Lord hath given them." What pleasure must they feel, in seeing their encampment broken up! "The solitary place," for such it was, where they had long abode, must be "glad." I seem to myself to hear the song of the young, as the standards are raised, and the banners stream on the breeze. I seem to hear the aged sire addressing his consort in terms of gratulation at the prospect, that even they may yet see the land of promise, and lay their bones where their children, and children's children, may watch over their sepulchres.

But the day whose morning is bright, is often beclouded before noon; the journey, whose outset is pleasant and aus

So it

picious, may soon become painful and distressing. proved with the Israelites. Not three days elapse, before countenances, which were happy, are sad; and hearts, which were bounding with joy, are filled with consternation and dismay.

No; there is the
There is the ark

But why? What has befallen them? What has so suddenly changed the aspect of the people of God? Has their Divine Protector forsaken them? "pillar of cloud" still going before them. of the covenant, borne by the Levites, and God between the cherubim. Manna descends, as usual, and water follows their pathway. Their feet swell not, and their garments wax not old. Are they threatened by hostile tribes, hanging upon their skirts? No such foe has yet made his appearance; or, if he has,

Israel, a name divinely blest,

May rise secure, securely rest;

Their holy guardian's watchful eyes,

Admit no slumber, nor surprise.

What, then, ails the people of God? They are already complaining. Complaining! Not openly, as Moses seems not to have known it, but in secret; perhaps, in low murmurings, one to another-so, however, that "the Lord hears it."

But why complain? The sacred narrative gives no explanation, and, therefore, we are left to conjecture. But it seems most probable, that they were too fond of their ease, and too indifferent about the promised land, to make the effort necessary to reach it. Or, if they desired to enjoy so noble an inheritance, may be they thought that God, whose miracles in their behalf had been wonderful, and even stupendous, might convert the barren and inhospitable desert into a fruitful and delightful way, which would avert many evils, now.seemingly besetting their path.

But, whatever may have been the cause of their complainings, they were highly offensive to God, and his anger was kindled. Suddenly, flashes of fire were seen darting forth from the "cloudy pillar," reaching to the very extremity of the camp, and laying many a rebellious Israelite low in death.

It was a sudden judgment, and fearful as it was sudden. Nor were they at a loss for the reason of it. Conscience would bring home the guilt of ingratitude and rebellion to their bosoms; and, as one after another fell before the consuming fires of the Almighty, the spared would stand trembling, lest a similar judgment should overtake them. God is sometimes so rapid and fearful in his rebukes, as to excite men to immediate measures to avert his wrath. It was so in the present case. Consternation sat on every countenance; dismay filled every bosom. They hasten to Moses. They implore his intervention. On a former occasion, they were indifferent about him; "they wot not," cared not what had become of him; but now, how important to their cause! how exalted he appears, as a mediator for the thousands of Israel! Moses addresses himself to the solemn emergency. And, while yet the lightnings of God are still destructively at work, he bows in supplication, and beseeches the God of his people to quench those appalling fires, and stay his work of destruction. Again Moses is heard; and, from that hour, the "pillar of cloud" assumes its milder form; the lightnings cease; mercy smiles; the rebels are safe. Such, sometimes, are the effects of unreasonable complaints against God. Such, sometimes, the effects of the humble, fervent prayer of a righteous man, in behalf of the ungrateful and rebellious.

Some children of God, at the present day, are quite as unreasonable in their murmurings as were the Israelites in the desert. They are journeying towards a spiritual Canaan-a far better inheritance than that of the temporal Canaan, valuable as that was. And, in order to reach it,