their garments girded on them; with staves in their hands as travellers on a journey; they were soon ready, and taking their bread unbaked in the trays, as they had it unleavened, they set forward on their way, following Moses as their leader.

And the people of Israel went out of Egypt, six hundred thousand foot, besides children, and large flocks and herds, and all that the Egyptians had willingly given them, after having lived four hundred and thirty years in Egypt. I will here bring to the remembrance of my little readers, the commandment of God to the Israelites, that they should explain these things to their children. Deut. vi. 7. This duty is still more pressing on us who are living under the blessings of the gospel. I have tried to show you how the passover of the Jews was made to be a type or sign of our greater sacrifice, the death of Christ; and how much greater cause for thankfulness we have than the Israelites. They had a great deliverance from the death of the body, we still greater, from the death of the soul; since whosoever believe in the name of Jesus, as their Saviour and Redeemer, and repent them truly of their sins, confessing them and praying to God for grace to forsake them, "shall not die, but have everlasting life."

We can teach our children that the Lamb of God has been slain, that he has risen from death, and that he now lives in heaven, to

intercede for and bless his praying servants, whether grown people or children.

That

when he was on the earth he loved little children, and rebuked those who would have kept them away from him; that he took them in his arms and blessed them. Dear children, be assured that the same compassionate Redeemer, who delivered the oppressed Israelites, who heard their cries and witnessed their tears, and listened to their prayer, is still the same long-suffering God. The passover is still observed by the Jews, as well as their present state will permit; the lamb is still slain, and the unleavened bread is still eaten with bitter herbs; and thus this wonderful people are a living witness to the truth of its first institution by Moses at the command of God; and of the plagues of Egypt, and the most dreadful of them, the destruction of their first-born children. By this, dear children, you may learn that your lives are in the hand of God, that you know not how soon his providence may call you from your families, to lie down in the silent grave. Let these recollections make you humble and pious, thankful to God, who has hitherto preserved you in life and health, and who has given his only Son as a sacrifice, holy and acceptable in his sight, to redeem you from the bitter pains of eternal death,' the just penalty of sin and disobedi

ence.

CHAPTER IV.

PHARAOH AND HIS HOST DESTROYED.

Now Moses regulated and ordered the companies of Israel. They marched five in a rank, and carried with them (as their fathers had promised) the bones of Joseph. They did not, from what we read, go as in flight or fear, for they knew the Lord was with them. The presence of God was manifested by the appearance of a pillar of fire by night, and a cloud to overshadow them by day, and to protect them from the burning heat of the midday sun. If the Israelites had chosen their own path, they would, without doubt, have gone the nearest way, through the land of the Philistines. But Moses led them, by divine command, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. Their Almighty Protector knew their disposition better than they knew it themselves. They had become enervated and debased in body and mind, by their long residence in Egypt, so that if they had met with opposition by the warlike Philistines in passing through their country, they might

have revolted from the command of Moses, and have been scattered among different nations.

But it was the will of God, not only to bless them, but to teach them how they might worship him in an acceptable manner; and besides, Ile who reads the heart and knows the thoughts of the children of men, knew that neither Pharaoh, nor the Egyptians, had let his people go, out of a proper feeling of sorrow for their presumption, but that it was only a sudden dread of His almighty vengeance, "lest they should be all dead men. He, therefore, withdrew this dread when the Israelites had departed, and left the Egyptians to their own evil tempers, and to be a monument to the latest posterity, of the saving mercy of God to those who fear him, and of his dreadful vengeance upon the presumptuous obstinate sinner. Whilst the Egyptians were yet mourning for their children, on hearing that the Israelites did not return but continued their journey, they pursued after them as fugitives, although they themselves had entreated them to be gone, and furnished them with the means to go, and had even prayed for their blessing at parting.

I would beg my little readers to notice this setting out of the Israelites towards the promised land; how it may be compared to their setting out on the journey of life, towards their promised inheritance in heaven. Their

parents are to them, what Moses was to the Israelites; the word of God is to them, as the pillar of fire and the cloud to the Hebrews. It will guide them by night, and shelter and protect them by day. Be obedient, dear children, and suffer your parents to guide your inexperience. Let their will govern you in all things, and be thankful for those restraints, which they know your particular disposition may need. And when you are disposed to murmur at any of their commands or restraints, remember, that your future good is their constant study; that were you now to be indulged in things which seem to you most desirable, it is more than probable you would grow up self-willed, proud, and idle, a torment to yourself, and a grief and sorrow of heart to your indulgent but weak parents. Submit, therefore, my dear children, your will, to the wills of those whose duty it is to govern and direct you; and study your Bible, for the light and strength which you need: then may you walk as did the Israelites, without fear; and the presence of God will be with you.

Moses, commanded by the Lord, ordered the children of Israel to encamp between Migdol and the sea, and told thein (as God had made known to him) that Pharaoh would pursue after them, thinking they were entangled in the wilderness, and that He would, by a most signal and dreadful judgment, make the Egyptians know, by their own most unhappy