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 gra cious, 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

possible, of accomplishing it. Is there another blessing of greater importance to a people than such a man? Has he ambition? it is not to preach eloquently, or pray eloquently, that he may gain some brief applause, but that he may honor his Master, and save souls. These objects mingle in all his plans; in all his labors; in all his thoughts. They enter with him into his closet; they go forth with him into the streets, and into whatever circle he visits.

By him, in strains as sweet

As angels use, the Gospel whispers peace.
He 'stablishes the strong; restores the weak;
Reclaims the wand'rer; binds the broken heart;
And, arm'd himself in panoply complete,
Of heavenly temper, furnishes with arms,
Bright as his own, and trains, by every rule
Of holy discipline, to glorious war,

The sacramental host of God's elect:
Are all such teachers?

Well does the poet inquire: "Are all such teachers ?" Oh! if they were, what a different aspect would our churches and congregations assume? We see the influence of one man among millions. We see his prayers answered, in respect to them all. Not one family; not a single individual in the whole nation, but, is blessed through him.

And if the ministers of Jesus Christ, in their preaching, would more forget themselves; if they would lay aside that ambition, which so mars their piety; if they would banish all feelings of rivalship; all unholy aspirations for worldly praise; if they would pray more, and far more intensely, and with such importunity as corresponds with the magnitude of the object in view; if they had the pure, patriotic feelings the perfect self-denial of Moses; his holy, ardent, enduring love, would not the church shine far brighter? would not many more sinners be saved?

Let us not be misunderstood. The ministers of Jesus

Christ have a life of toil and sacrifice; and, as to good accomplished, who compares with them? But, then, might they not accomplish yet still more? Might not the ministerial standard be still higher? Might not ministers cultivate a purer and more fervent piety? Might they not secure, by more importunate pleading, far greater measures of grace? Let them take stronger hold upon the promises. Let them employ some such arguments as Moses used. Let them honor Jesus Christ more, by a firmer conviction that he is willing to fulfill all that he has pledged. Let them confide in him more, and put a far higher value upon the power of the Gospel. Let them depend less upon human wisdom, and human learning, and more upon the Spirit. Let them preach in expectation that the word will take effect. Let them pray as if they knew that, for Christ's sake, they will be heard and accepted.

They must preach, and they will carry up the

Ministers must have more faith. pray, and labor, as if, God willing, people to the New Jerusalem. And why not this faith? why not this resolution? And, if one blessing be bestowed; if one soul be converted, or one revival be enjoyed, let them use that as an argument with God, why more souls should be renewed, and another revival should be begun. Said Moses: "Thou, Lord, hast forgiven thy people all their transgressions, since the time thou broughtest them up out of Egypt, and, therefore, forgive them again, I beseech thee.” So let the ministers of Jesus pray: "Thou hast converted some, therefore, convert others; we have enjoyed a rich and powerful revival, therefore, may we enjoy such a blessing again."

And let the faithful minister assume some more boldness. He must, indeed, be humble, and, in all his approaches to God, remember in whose presence he stands; but let him recollect, also, that he is an embassador of God. He holds a high and sublime commission. To him are guarantied