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النشر الإلكتروني

which is supposed to be discovered in the high veneration of Israel for their great legislator. Had they known the place of his interment, they would have held it sacred, and have transgressed the bounds of allowable respect for his remains.

CATHERINE. Is this account of Moses's death in the book of Deuteronomy-a book of his own writing?

MRS. M. It is in the last chapter of that book; and some have not scrupled to believe was prophetically written by himself, as many other prophecies are found in the Pentateuch. But we are not driven to this conclusion by the absence of every other mode of explanation. The last chapter of Deuteronomy was most probably composed by Joshua, the writer of the following book, and injudiciously placed with the writings of Moses, by those who arranged the sacred canon, because it concludes his story.

But if the bereaved congregation were not permitted to weep over the grave of their inestimable benefactor, they were allowed to remain inactive in their encampment thirty days, indulging their sorrow, although they were in sight of their ultimate object. Their affliction was deep and sincere, and embittered by the reproachful conviction, that but for their own insupportable provocations, they might still have enjoyed his society, and profited by his wisdom. For although he was an hundred and twenty years old, he possessed all his faculties in their native strength. "His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.”

For many years after his death, his people adhered faithfully to his precepts, and, through all their revolutions, they continue to revere his authority. While the world endures, he will remain the greatest of historians and prophets. His writings are his most expressive eulogy. They

reflect the wise and upright man, and the loyal servant of his Master. His style is plain and perspicuous, such as the importance of his subject demanded; yet interspersed with the most beautiful and sublime strains of poetry, where they could be used with propriety. His prophetic ode in the thirty-first chapter of Deuteronomy is said, by an elegant and learned writer on Hebrew poetry, to be "singularly magnificent, and scarcely to be paralleled from all the choicest treasures of the muses.' As a prophet, he has this testimony to his transcendent dignity—that there arose in Israel not one like him, "whom the Lord knew face to face." His whole ceremonial law is a prophecy of that divine Teacher, who he predicted should come, in these remarkable words :- -"The Lord your God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me: unto him ye shall hearken.”

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From the midst of the brethren of Moses, the descendants of Israel, the Lord our God has raised up unto us a Prophet," in whom he is well pleased;" and happy are we if we hearken unto him.

JOSHUA.

MRS. M. The incident with which the Book of Joshua -the subject of our ensuing conversation-commences, exemplifies a consoling truth, presented every day to our observation—that the evils to which we are inevitably subjected in this life, are ever accompanied by circumstances which mitigate their severity—and sometimes even produce results the most beneficial. The loss of a friend with whom we have passed many years in delightful intercourse, is an affliction so common, that almost every heart can tell its bitterness. If his wisdom has illumined our path-if his power and his zeal have promoted our interest—we feel that a right hand is cut off; but if many failures in our own duty to this friend, cloud the recollection of past pleasure-now too late to make any reparation-what is there left to complete our humiliating regret? To embitter the sorrow of the Israelites for the death of their illustrious legislator, the history of whose virtues was but the history of their own ingratitude-all these distressing reflections were combined, yet the sad event brought with it a cheering consolation. The voice of their immutable Protector reminded them that the last remaining obstacle to their entrance into the promised land was now removed; "Moses

my servant is dead, now therefore arise and go over this Jordan."

FANNY. Then about to encounter hostile nations, they would most sensibly feel the loss of their experienced chief.

Mas. M. That loss, irreparable as it might seem, was supplied by the substitution of Joshua, appointed by God himself, and consecrated by the hands of Moses, to succeed him in the command of the Israelites.

That no diffidence, however, might retard the movements of Joshua, “The Lord," who had supported Moses by his presence, now appeared to his successor, and assured him, that he should "divide the promised inheritance to the children of Abraham." 60 Only be thou strong, and very conrageous" (said he) "that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee. Turn not from it to the right hand, nor to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This Book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein, day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein, for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, then thou shalt have good success.”

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Thus graciously encouraged, the new commander began his arrangements for taking possession of Canaan. Two confidential young men were dispatched to examine the strength of the city of Jericho, which lying very near to the opposite shore of Jordan, must be taken before they could penetrate into the country.

CATHERINE. That would seem to have been an unnecessary precaution. The Lord their God, had promised

to go with them-what strength or power could counteract his will?

MRS. M. It is not generally the will of Heaven to bestow blessings on those who do not seek them. Had the Israelites been put into the possession of Canaan without any extraordinary exertions of their own-the indolent might have taken encouragement to fold their arms and presumptuously expect the unclouded sunshine of prosperity. I just now recited a part of the charge that was given to Joshua for the purpose of shewing you, that the favourable designs of Providence exempt not us from the performance of duty, and as "the book of the law" was given to him for a guide, so the sacred scriptures are given to us, to point out the "way" in which we may hope for "good success." So well was Joshua instructed, that although he knew himself to be engaged in an enterprize that would ultimately be successful, he proceeded with as much caution as if his own sagacity, or the valour of his men, were his only dependence. When he had despatched the messengers, he called together his officers and directed them to go through the camp, and command the people to prepare their provision, for within three days they should pass over the Jordan. The tribes who were already located on the eastern bank, in the blooming land of Gilead, were reminded of their engagement to leave their families and assist their brethren until they too should have a permanent habitation. They readily declared their adherence to their promise-and their loyal resolution to obey and to support Joshua, as the lawful successor of Moses, devoting themselves even to the punishment of death, should any be found disobedient. Whilst Joshua

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