ant to see such a manifestation of this spirit, in a far-distant age of the world; identical with that which our Lord so strenuously enjoined upon his followers, and of which he himself gave, in his own spirit and conduct, a bright and memorable example.

NUMBERS.

PRAYER OF MOSES AFTER THE REPORT OF THE SPIES.

And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they. And Moses said unto the Lord, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, &c.-Numb. xiv. 11—25.

HERE is yet another provocation, on the part of God's people; and one which, in some respects, exceeds, in point of aggravation, all that have preceded. But, the picture presented has its colors of relief. We discern the same kind and affectionate friend and mediator, whom we have noticed in past provocations, bending before the footstool, and urging, with holy eloquence, his plea for pardon; and we hear the same merciful and compassionate God, saying, "I have pardoned according to thy word." We may not admit, that such instances of ingratitude and rebellion are desirable, in order to exhibit the efficacy of prayer; but most happy we may deem it, that we may see how, time after time, man can plead; and how, time after time, God may be influenced to give an answer of peace.

The above is the tenth provocation of the Israelites, since leaving Egypt; and though in this, as in former instances, they are pardoned, yet important and direful consequences ensue, as the sequel will disclose.

The Israelites had reached the southern border of Canaan, and might soon have entered upon the possession of it. But

the people, through unbelief, proposed (Deut. 1: 22,) to send forward spies, who should search out the state of the country and its inhabitants, and bring back a report; upon which, they designed to predicate their course-either to go up and possess it, or return to Egypt. "Moses, mistaking their intentions," observes Dr. Scott, "approved of the plan; and the Lord, being justly displeased, permitted the people to follow their own counsels. As they were unwilling to trust God, but must judge for themselves, as to the expediency of entering upon their inheritance, God permits them to proceed; but gives directions as to the number of spies to be sent, and the manner in which they shall execute their commission." Having received their instructions, the spies departed, and, after an absence of forty days, they returned with " an evil report." The inhabitants, they represented as strong and giant-like, and the cities walled and impregnable. The conquest of the country, in their view, was impracticable. A report, so gloomy and depressing, filled the camp of Israel with despondency, and even dismay. The night succeeding was one of lamentation and tears. Forgetting their sufferings in Egypt, and their sighs and groans, year after year, for deliverance, they strangely wish that they had never been brought out of bondage. Forgetting the honors which God had put upon them; the divine favors, by which they had been encompassed; the miracles, which, almost daily, had been wrought in their behalf, they now propose to cast off Moses, and even God himself, and to appoint a captain, under whom they would return to Egypt.

In the midst of this popular infatuation, Caleb and Joshua, two of the spies, rose, and bore direct and solemn testimony to the injustice, and even falsehood, of the report of the majority; at the same time, they reminded the people that God was able to defeat every foe, and give them the quiet possession of Canaan, according to his promise. What were the sons of Anak, or the multitude of walled cities, scattered

over the country, if Jehovah were on their side! But at this counter report, and this solemn expostulation, the people were only the more provoked; and now, as a climax to their folly and madness, the congregation unite in requiring them to be stoned.

At this critical juncture, the glory of the Lord, i. e. the Cloudy Pillar, descends, and rests on the tabernacle of the congregation. God himself comes down to settle this controversy. His sudden appearance fills them with awe, and the eyes of all Israel are at once turned towards this symbol of the Divine Presence.

Moses immediately directs his steps towards the tabernacle. He enters. He stands in the presence of an insulted and justly-incensed God. "How long," exclaims Jehovah, in the abrupt language of astonishment and indignation, “how long will this people provoke me? Come, I will smite them with pestilence, for they are unworthy to live. I will disinherit them, for they have reproached, despised, and rejected me, and I will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they."

To the heart of Moses, jealous as he was for the honor of his Sovereign, such a destruction could appear no otherwise than most righteous. But he still loved his nation; he wished her salvation and prosperity. He foresaw her coming glory, if the divine promises are carried out; and, therefore, no temptation could be presented to him, which would induce him to prevent, or in any wise diminish, her future renown.

Once more, therefore, he threw himself into the "breach." Without even an allusion to the divine proposal to exalt him, he seems intent only on averting the doom which threatens his people. And how he pleads! What arguments he employs! How well selected! With what tact and emphasis they are urged! "Destroy thy people!—The Egyptians will hear the story, and they will tell it to the inhabitants of the land! What surprise it will occasion, for they have heard

that thou, Lord, art among this people, and they are under thy special guardianship, by night and by day. And what will they say, and have reason to say? That thou, Lord, hast sworn unto them to bring them into this land, but wast not able! But now, O Lord, honor, I beseech thee, thy power, and show that it is great; honor thine own proclamation, made on a former occasion, when pardoning thy people. Ex. 34: 6, 7. "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands," &c. "Oh! pardon-pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people, for thou hast pardoned all their sins hitherto, since they came forth from Egypt, and I would urge their past experience of thy pardoning mercy, as a reason why thou shouldst pardon them again."

The prayer of Moses is immediately and fully answered. He is assured that Israel shall not be cast off all at once, as God had proposed, nor shall they be disinherited. Yet, from their rebellion, and by his dealings with them, he would take occasion to make known his glory unto the ends of the earth.

The nation survives; but, as a token of the divine displeasure against that murmuring and ungrateful generation, God decides that they shall sojourn in the wilderness, till they have all fallen, excepting Caleb and Joshua, who alone, of those grown up, shall enter the promised land.

What a blessing was Moses to Israel! But for his firmness and decision-but more his prayers-they would never have entered upon their promised inheritance. Nor are we to suppose that Moses was prompted by any miraculous influence to plead as he did; nor that he was not susceptible to temptation, like other men. That great grace was imparted, who can doubt? But he received it, as others have received it, through prayer. He was, doubtless, much engaged in the duties of secret devotion. There, in his tent, he prayed and wrestled; and, by such strong and importunate

supplications, his faith was strengthened in God, and in his promises. The man, whoever he may be, who would pray successfully for a people, to whom he may stand in any public relation, must know how to pray for himself in

secret.

In this connection, may we not, with propriety, speak of the value to a people of an affectionate, assiduous, and prayerful minister; one, we mean, who, while he has the honor of God near his heart, as had Moses, lends every effort, as he did, to effect the salvation of his people? Moses loved Israel better than he loved himself; he loved their honor better than his own renown; and their possession of Canaan better than his own life. Had it been otherwise, would he have made such sacrifices? would he have so planned, and toiled, and prayed? But for him, what, in their frequent emergencies, would they have done? They were a stiffnecked and restless people. They were easily diverted from duty. They were prone to unbelief and idolatry. They were easily alarmed, and easily discouraged. Often, they incurred the divine displeasure; and, on several occasions, God was ready to sweep them to destruction. But, at such times, Moses interposes, and, by his humble, affectionate, and importunate supplications, he averts the stroke, and brings back the people to repentance and obedience.

And what would be the effect upon the American people, if their ministers were, in the foregoing particulars, like Moses? Let us select such a minister; one

whose heart is warm;

Whose hands are pure; whose doctrines, and whose life,
Coincident, exhibit lucid proof

That he is honest in the sacred cause;

that he sincerely and ardently desires to put all his people in possession of the heavenly Canaan; and that, so desiring, he addresses himself to that one great and momentous object, with appropriate zeal and fidelity with the intention, if it be