But notwithstanding the happy Jochebed was now sure of a powerful protector for her child, she did not venture to assert her right to detain him, but restored him when he was weaned to the Princess, and accepted a compensation for the delightful service she had performed. By this lady he was called Moses, because she drew him out of the water-and by her care he was educated in the learning of Egypt.

Egypt was, at that time, the residence of the arts-the seat of science. Science had not, indeed, made much progress in the world; but all that she had done was, perhaps, confined to that country.

CATHERINE. It is very remarkable that Moses should have been not only preserved, "but even qualified for his work by the very people who were endeavouring utterly to destroy his nation. Was he ignorant in his youth of his connexion with that people?

MRS. M. During his earlier years it is probable he thought himself to be in reality what he was called, “the son of Pharaoh's daughter;" for while he was nursed in the house of his father, he could not have been made acquainted with the dangerous secret of his adoption by that prinBut he had learned it some time before his fortieth year. At that time we find he had such a decided predi lection for his brethren, that seeing, as he passed along, an Egyptian and a Hebrew engaged in a quarrel, he promptly took part with the latter, and slew their enemy.

cess.

This act of violence immediately became public and endangered his life. The next day attempting to interpose between two of his own countrymen, whom he found contending angrily together, he was abruptly repulsed with the question" Who made thee a Judge over us—wilt

thou kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday?"This contemptuous rejection of his offered mediation at once suggested to Moses the necessity of providing for his own safety. He saw the publicity of his rash deed, and the indisposition of his brethren to protect him from the vengeance of Pharaoh. If at this time he was informed of the part he was to act in the emancipation of Israel, he saw that they were not yet prepared to co-operate with him. Retirement from Egypt for a time was then the obvious dictate of prudence, and Midian, contiguous and inhabited by the descendants of Keturah, the last wife of Abraham, presented a convenient retreat. Thither he fled, and found a happy asylum in the house of Jethro, the priest or the prince of that country, in consequence of having assisted his daughters in watering their flocks at a well where he had rested in his way. In process of time, he connected himself with this family, by marrying one of the daughters, and seems to have remained contentedly with them during the life of the king of Egypt, and until another Pharaoh had ascended the throne.

CHARLES. I observe, mother, that you call all the kings of Egypt by the name of Pharaoh.

MRS. M. That was a common appellation by which their sovereigns were distinguished in those days, and in the Egyptian language, signified king. He who now wore the crown was hardened in iniquity, and the consequent suffering of the Israelites became intolerable. Their prayers and complaints ascended to the God of their fathers, and the period approached when they were to be delivered, and their unfeeling oppressors to receive a just retribution.

(B. C. 1491.) Preparatory to this grand event, whils

Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, on a memorable day, at the foot of Mount Horeb, he was surprised by the appearance of a Bush in flames; and continuing to burn, yet not consumed! While he gazed on the phenomenon, a voice proceeding from it, commanded him to put off his shoes, for he stood on holy ground.* "I am," continued the speaker, "the God of thy fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob-I have seen the affliction of my people, and am come down to deliver them. I will send thee unto Pharaoh that thou mayest bring my people out of Egypt, to a land flowing with milk and honey." Astonished at the presence of the Deity, and humbled by a sense of his own insignificance, yet encouraged by the gracious communication, Moses exclaimed, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt ?"-" Certainly I will be with you," said the great Supreme; "and thou shalt say to the children of Israel, I AM, (that is, whose existence is not derived) hath sent me unto you, and when thou hast brought them forth, thou shalt worship in this mountainGo, gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, 'The Lord God of your fathers has visited you, and will bring you out of affliction, into a land flowing with milk and honey;' and they shall harken to thy voice, and ye shall say to the king, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath met us, let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice unto the Lord our God.' I am sure he will not let you go, and I will smite Egypt with all my wonders, and after that he will let you go."

* A ceremony in the East to this day: in some circumstances a token of respect, equivalent to uncovering the head among us.

"And that they may believe that the Lord God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent thee, cast the rod that is in thy hand on the ground." Moses obeyed, and it became a serpent. "Put forth thine hand and take it up,”—he did so,-" and it became a rod in his hand."

These, and other manifestations of transcendent power, ought to have silenced the timid Hebrew, yet perhaps, remembering that his brethren had once rejected his offered friendship, he hesitated. "I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou has spoken to thy servant, but am slow of speech." Nor did he obey till he was reassured, that the Lord would be with him, that Aaron his brother, "who could speak well," should be associated with him, in the mission to the king, and that he might visit his father's house securely, for those who sought his life were now dead.

His fears thus graciously removed, he took his wife, and his two sons, and he immediately began his journey. In the wilderness on his way, he was met by his brother, already instructed in the great work on which they were about to enter; and communicated to him the awful interview to which he had been admitted, at the foot of Horeb.

Empowered by supreme authority, and enlightened by divine inspiration, a short conference matured their plan. They proceeded into Egypt, gathered the elders of their people together, and laid before them the command they had received, performing in their presence several miracles, the signs and the seals of their mission.

CATHERINE. What kind of an officer was an Elder of

Israel at that time? A people completely subjugated, having authority at all, seems to be a paradox.

MRS. M. Though their condition in Egypt had become very discouraging, and might almost preclude every ray of hope, yet many of them would doubtless confide in the promise, that they should in due time become an independent nation. To this end it was necessary, that they should be held together by some peculiar regulations, otherwise they must have been lost in the course of several centuries among the natives of that country. These would naturally be dictated by the heads of their tribes, or principal families, who were in all circumstances, honoured and obeyed in ancient times. They are here called Elders, and were the representatives of their nation, when they acknowledged the goodness of God, in sending Moses and Aaron to their relief. ·

The acquiescence of the chiefs being secured, the ambassadors repaired to the king, and demanded, in the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel, the liberation of His people, that they might go into the adjacent wilderness to sacrifice. But the demand was rebellion! Possessed of absolute power, and satisfied with his own sufficiency, the king of Egypt recognized no authority in the voice of Jehovah!" Who is Jehovah ?" said the imperious despot, "that I should obey his voice?" Vainly then did Moses and Aaron repeat his command, and urge the necessity of obedience—a sacrifice was but a pretext to indulge the idleness of the Hebrews, and their advocates were the instigators of insurrection! New burdens were therefore added, and their tasks were encreased beyond the possibility of performance.