depressions, the varied outlines and ways of human life, with an interest far greater than that with which we look upon panoramas and beautiful landscapes? Do we feel Moses renouncing the splendors of a palace, the dignity of a throne, to be a nobler scene, and covered with a richer glory, than Napoleon's victory at Austerlitz, or at the Pyramids, or Wellington's triumph at Waterloo? Is it true that moral things in our judgment are alone the majestic things? Can we hail the smile of God as dearer to us than the garlands of the most illustrious conqueror? Do we feel affections at peace with God through the blood of Jesus, and at peace with each other, as the sweetest harmony? Do whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, honest, and of good report, constitute, in our estimation, the richest glory, the noblest possessions? Next to having strength to do as Moses did, is the grace of being able to admire and applaud it, and to pray that, when we are called, we may have grace also to follow his noble and holy example. Perhaps there may be other reasons, one or two of which we may just notice. Moses saw faithfulness in the favor of God, and precariousness in the favor of the court. The promises of a king are but threads of gossamer; the promises of God are sure and steadfast, entering within the vail. Moses learned what humanity unsanctified seems no better for learning. "Put not your trust in princes; " in one day their very thoughts perish. Moses felt that sacrifice for Christ's sake was, after all, the greatest gain. If he had remained in the palace, his name would have been sounded for a season in its halls; it would have been written upon its pillars, perishable as the material on which it was graven; or it might have been carved upon its stone, or in the hieroglyphics of its pillars, or embosomed in its stony pyramids. Such would have been all his glory, if he had held fast to his place, and renounced his duty. But has he not a much greater glory? That name now lives in every tongue; it is mentioned still with admiration in every age; it is perused in the Bible as a word full of sweet music; and in heaven, it is said, they sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. We learn, from the whole of this, that faith resigns to God with as great cheerfulness what God demands, as it receives with gratitude that which he has given. When God takes away from us the property we have gathered, the possessions we have earned, the beloved, and the near, and the dear, he takes them, not as a spoiler, but as a proprietor. And, when called upon to surrender what we love, we ought to give it up, not as a reluctant exaction that we had rather keep, but as a free-will offering which we cast upon the altar of him whose are the riches of all the universe. If Moses thus denied himself, let us recollect that he was excelled by One, a greater than Moses: "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich;" and that "He took upon him the form of a servant, and humbled himself, and made himself of no reputation." If Christ has denied himself for us, do we ever deny ourselves for him? If he sacrificed so much for us, let us ask ourselves what have we ever sacrificed for him? Let One more lesson let us learn in the case alike of Joseph and of Moses; they obtained dignities which they did not seek. Joseph was unexpectedly carried to Pharaoh's right hand. Moses was as unexpectedly educated by Pharaoh's daughter, and in the splendor of Pharaoh's palace. riches follow us; it is unworthy of us to follow them. Let honors seek us; but let us not seek them. Take the place that God may assign you, and in that place seek to glorify and honor him; but remember that there is as much faith in being satisfied with the position which God has given us as there is in renouncing at his bidding the glory and the honor that God has added. Jesus waited thirty years in obscurity before he went forth to preach, to suffer, and to die. Joseph, who had qualifications for a prime minister, was hid for a long time in a dungeon. David, who was able to sway a sceptre, learned first to feed the ewes and follow the sheep. And Moses refused the greatest honor when the time was come to renounce it. God will exalt us when it is good for us; and, if he has not yet exalted us, it is in love, and not in anger. A Christian can serve God best just where God's providence has placed him. Many persons say, "Ah! if I were raised to be a master, then how much better I should serve God!" But you will learn, my dear brother, that, if your wish were gratified, the old longing would revive, and you would wish again, “Ah! if I had a few hundreds a year!" and, having obtained these, you would next cry, "If any one would give me a lofty title, what influence I should have!" The man who cannot honor God in the humblest by-path of private life will not be able to do so in the high road of public existence; and the very way to lead God, in his favor, to elevate you to the highest place, is to discharge faithfully and tenderly all the duties of the low place. Do not think about a change of place; but be sure of a change of heart. This is the great thing. Wherever Christian character is, it shines beautiful as a star, whether it sweep a crossing, or sway a sceptre, or lead great armies to battle and to victory. Our present character alone is that which determines, and is the certain antecedent of, our everlasting state. We are now sowing what we must reap; we are now creating, in the providence of God, that character which will remain for ever and ever. If we prefer the splendor and the pomp of office in the palace of Pharaoh, and repudiate all allegiance to God, and scorn the people that belong to him, we laugh now, but we shall weep then; we have our good things now, but our evil things are yet to come; we barter an immortal crown for the wild field-flowers that lie in our path; we exchange, for an indulgence of the world's fleeting happiness, the joys which endure forever. Peals of bells may follow us on earth; the firing of cannon may announce our arrival; but, if we are not children of God, all the elevation of our present dignity will only make more terrible and disastrous our ultimate and everlasting ruin; and if we are passing to a judgment-seat with unregenerate hearts, with unbelieving minds, without an interest in the Saviour, without sympathy in his cause, whatever be the pomp, the place, and the splendor of our present position, yet dirges and funeral anthems are all that await us in the shape of weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. But I trust I address many a reader who desires not to be in the place of Moses; and who, if there, would have no hesitation, at Christ's bidding, in instantly surrendering it. I trust that I write to some who, in poverty, can battle with it, who, in prosperity, can make a holy use of it, and who, whether rich or poor, offer up this daily prayer: that, in poverty, they may be patient; that, in their riches, they may be kept from temptation; and that, if they weep, they may pray to God; and that, if they rejoice, they may praise God; and that all that betides them may only bring them closer to him, with whom to walk on earth is to walk surely, with whom to be in heaven is to be in joy unspeakable and full of glory. Such are some unspent echoes of the voice of one who "being dead yet speaketh." May they linger as sweet and sanctifying strains within us! CHAPTER VIII. THE REPROACH OF CHRIST. "O thou who mournest on thy way, The dear Lord ordereth all things well."" "Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt."-HEBREWS 11: 26. THERE shone before Moses in the future a recompense of reward that attracted him upward and onward continually. In reference to the past, he had a faith resting on the promises of God, which sustained and strengthened him, and became the victory that overcame the world. We have, in this verse which I have selected as the subject of reflection, the true estimate of what the world dreads as its great calamity, "reproach;" and of what the world loves as its choicest treasure, "the riches of Egypt." We have here the instance of one who is not a solitary fact, but a precedent, a model for us; for nothing was done by the saints of God of old that may not in the same strength be done by God's arm is not shortened, God's ear is not heavy. It is still true, "My strength is made perfect in weakness." My grace is sufficient for thee." us. " The two things that are brought before us in this passage correspond to the two we have considered, namely, "affliction |