leprosy; he was again ordered to put it in his bosom, when it became well, as before. Still Moses feared. He prayed to be excused, because he never was eloquent, that is, never could persuade people with smooth words, neither before the Lord called him, nor since. He was reproved for this. "Who hath made man's mouth ?" saith the Lord, "or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind?-have not I, the Lord ?" Still Moses, although the Lord promised to teach him what to say, begged to be excused, and prayed that some other messenger might be sent. As this proceeded from true lowliness of mind, which the Lord loves, he was not very angry with Moses for his repeated refusals, but ordered him to take his brother Aaron, who was a good speaker; and that when he returned to Egypt, he would find him coming to meet him. After this, Moses returned to his father-in-law, Jethro, and asked his leave to go back, who bade him go in peace. The Lord bade him go boldly forward, as those who sought his life were dead; and to take his rod, with which he should do wonders and signs. He departed with his wife and sons, and the Lord spoke also to Aaron, the brother of Moses, and ordered him to go and meet Moses, and they met near the Mount of God.

There they communed together, and Moses told his brother all the Lord had commanded him to do. They called together the elders of

the people, and told them all the Lord had commanded, and did those signs which God had enabled them to do. The people rejoiced to think that the Lord had visited the affliction of his people,-and they worshipped, and believed all that he told them. Thus appointed by the consent of the Israelites, as their leader, he, with Aaron his brother, went to the king of Egypt, and asked permission for the children of Israel to go into the wilderness, to hold a feast and to worship their God. No longer timid and fearful, his resolution never more failed, his faith and trust in God was immoveable. He fearlessly approached the presence of an angry king, to ask him to break his own laws; his trust was in the Lord, whose command he was obeying. Pharaoh wickedly replied, he would not let the people go, for Who is the Lord ?" said he, "that I should obey his voice to let Israel go. I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go." Exod,

V. 2.

He doubled their labors, afflicting them more and more, ordering Moses and Aaron, with the rest, to return to their burdens. How must the faith and feelings of Moses have been tried at this time! Instead of doing his countrymen good, he had brought more hardship upon them. They feelingly complained to him of the evil he had done them. What in this case could Moses do but approach the Lord in humble supplication who graciously

heard and answered his petition. He again promised to deliver his people, and ordered him to go and comfort and encourage them, and to assure them of a perfect deliverance from bondage. Exod. v. 1—13.

Before I conclude this chapter I would beg my little friends to consider this account of Moses, if there is nothing in it which may profit them in their little trials. I trust that the little boys or girls who read this history, love the God who made them, and who preserves them in life, and who gives them friends and food and raiment, and very many mercies and blessings. Let me beg of them, to delight in prayer and reading their Bible, as Moses did in prayer and meditation; and then surely, the same God who called to Moses out of the fiery bush, and who sees the inmost thoughts of their hearts, will bless them, and will speak to their souls by his Holy Spirit, warning them when they do amiss, and gently breathing into their bosom good desires.

Oh, my dear children, do not think as Moses did at first. He thought that he never could be a fit leader for the Israelites, not being a good speaker; so perhaps you think on your part, that it is impossible for you ever to love study, or to overcome a hasty temper, or an immoderate love of play or dress or perhaps that you cannot break off a disposition to envy your richer companions their indulgences, or any of those things which the word of God

will teach you are sinful. Do not, because that evil heart which every little child inherits, from the sin and disobedience of Adam and Eve, will be ready to grow weary sometimes of prayer and holy reading, of your good father's and mother's affectionate remonstrances; do not then think you never can be religious, that it is too hard for you.

Remember it says in the Bible, "those that seek me early shall find me." King Josiah, we are told, began to seek the Lord when he was only eight years of age, 2 Kings, xxii. and our Blessed Lord at twelve, was found in the temple with the doctors or wise men ; St. Luke ii. 42. 52. Samuel the prophet was devoted to the Lord's service by a pious mother, and was called by the Lord while quite a child: 1 Sam. i. 27, 28. ii. 26. and if you are blessed with pious parents, parents who teach you to pray, and pray with you and for you, then thank God, and show your gratitude by striv ing at all times, and in all places, to behave as a Christian child ought to do,

CHAPTER III,

PHARAOH LETS THE ISRAELITES GO.

PHARAOH still continued to grieve and op press the Israelites, and the Lord again ordered Moses to assure them that they should be delivered. But "they hearkened not" to him "for anguish of spirit." Then the Lord commanded Moses to go in to Pharaoh, and tell him that He, the Lord, commanded him to let His people go. Moses, whose fearful temper seems to have returned, replied, that if the children. of Israel would not hearken to him, how should Pharaoh, since he was not able to persuade, not being a good speaker. But the Lord now gave him a charge to deliver all He told him to the Israelites and to the king of Egypt, and to take with him Aaron his brother, who was an eloquent man, who should say all that Moses should command him.

And the Lord promised to be with them and strengthen what they said, by giving power to Moses to work miracles in the presence of the unbelieving king, which should (after both he and the Egyptians had suffered greatly) force him to let the Israelites go free. The Lord