others by their national institutions, and some of them seem to have no other object.

The beginning of their year was then changed, from the autumnal, to the vernal equinox, and their sabbath was removed one day back, substituting the seventh day of the week, according to Adam's reckoning, for the first, that being engaged in their ordinary occupations, they might be less exposed to the temptation of participating in the forbidden worship of the heathens, on their holy day, (agreeably to our supposition, the first day of the week, the same which is now called Sunday*) than they would be, were it also their own day of rest. The moral nature of the obligation, which required a seventh part of their time, was not affected by the change.

Again, at a place called Rephidim, to which they had come, after eleven encampments, when they found no water, they repeated, with additional bitterness, their accustomed reproach.-"Thou hast brought us and our children, and our cattle, up hither, to perish with thirst." The bounteous hand that had fed them when hungry, now supplied them with drink.

The touch of the rod of Moses, brought water from a rock, and the copious stream refreshed the remainder of their journey. The Pillar of Light seems, from that time, to have led the people along its margin, for we hear no complaints of scarcity of water, for many succeeding years, although they travelled in a dry and barren land.

All these magnificent events could not be confined to the knowledge of the persons for whose correction or relief they were originally displayed. Their fame went

The name Sunday, was given in honour of the Sun, which was worshipped-perhaps not at so early a period.

abroad, and Jethro, the prince of Midian, a worshipper of Jehovah, came to unite with Israel in homage to their almighty deliverer,-and to restore, at the same time, his daughter, and her sons, who had been sent back to his guardianship, whilst Moses was engaged in his perilous mission to Pharaoh.

Remaining with the Israelites some days, Jethro took a friendly interest in their affairs, and assisted them by his prudent council. He saw with concern the incessant labours of his son-in-law in the government of Israel, and suggested the propriety of calling to his aid inferior magistrates, who might take cognizance of the lesser causes, while the greater only, should be referred to his own decision. And " able men,” he added, ought to be selected-" Such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness." Such were accordingly appointed, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. Bread and water, the most imperative demands of nature, having been already provided, Moses was now left at greater liberty to attend to the great work of legislation, for which they were chiefly detained in an inhospitable wilderness-and it commenced in the third month after their departure from Egypt.

Encamped in the Desert of Sinai, before the celebrated mount of that name, the whole congregation were gathered together, and solemnly reminded, that their enemies had been signally chastised for disobedience, while they "had been borne as on eagles' wings." "Now, therefore," said Jehovah," if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my Covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure to me, above all people-for all the earth is mine." "All that the Lord commands we will do," was the ready answer of

"if

a people, unacquainted with their own weakness, and ignorant of the purity and extent of the laws about to be promulgated.

But when assembled at the foot of Sinai, to receive on a subsequent day, the covenant they had not hesitated to subscribe, the terrible ensigns of infinite power and rigorous justice were exhibited to their view-they shrunk dismayed from the Divine presence! Fierce lightnings flashed through the dark cloud that enveloped the mounttremendous thunderings shook its base-an invisible trumpet sounded, long and loud-and amidst these appalling circumstances, an audible voice pronounced the Ten Commandments, the substance of the Hebrew code, and the immutable foundation of all subsequent law. The terrified people listened with reverence---but entreated that Moses might thenceforth be their mediator, and themselves be excused from again hearing the voice of Jehovah !

They were permitted to retire, and their leader alone was summoned to ascend the burning summit, to receive further instruction: and forty days this highly honoured mortal remained in more intimate communion with his Creator, than had ever been vouchsafed to man, since the fall of Adam.

As the decalogue exacted first, the homage due to the Sovereign of the universe: so now the medium by which that homage should be offered was first appointed. The pattern of a Tabernacle, or place for public worship, with all its apparatus, both for ornament and convenience, was exhibited to Moses, and instructions the most minute, were given him, to construct one of similar form, and of costly materials, together with every necessary utensil for offering sacrifices.

F

CATHERINE. In what manner do you suppose tern of a Tabernacle was exhibited to Moses ?

the pat

MRS. M. Whether we supposed Moses to have been favoured with a full revelation of the meaning and end of his emblematical dispensation, or taking the words literally, understand, that a Tabernacle with its whole apparatus was represented in vision, on the mount-the words are explained, for their meaning is clearly, that by this view of the pattern he was enabled to institute a corresponding ceremonial of worship.

In this awful interview Moses was commanded, also, to make vestments of a particular form, for Aaron and for his sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazer and Ithamar, and when they were arrayed, to consecrate them all to the service of the Altar.

The habits of the inferior priests were to be of white linen, because that material might be kept perfectly clean, and by this elegant emblem, the worshippers were instructed in that purity of heart, required of all who approach the sanctuary.

Aaron, who was constituted the High Priest, was to be more splendidly dressed. Several robes extremely fine both in colour and texture, were to conceal his whole person-a girdle curiously wrought, confined them to his waist, and two onyx stones engraved with the names of the sons of Israel decorated the shoulders. For his head was a mitre, or crown, with a plate of pure gold on the forehead inscribed with the words, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

But the most remarkable part of this magnificent habit was a breast-plate whose mysterious properties have exercised the ingenuity of critics.

Twelve precious stones, set in gold, and engraved each, with the name of a son, or a head of a tribe of Israel, were placed on its surface-and something which was called the URIM and the THUMMIM inserted within.

CATHERINE.

Thummim?

What were the words the Urim and the

MRS. M. The words Urim and Thummim, signify light and perfection; but whether in this place they denote a substance within the breast-plate, or whether those abstract qualities were for special purposes imparted to it, we know not. All that the words of Moses enable us to discover is, that when the high priest appeared before the Mercy Seat, arrayed in his pontifical robes, to ask council in momentous affairs, the Urim and the Thummim were the medium by which the answer was received.*

FANNY. And what was the design of so splendid an ornament as twelve precious stones?

MRS. M. Some have supposed, that containing in the engravings all the letters of the alphabet, the superior sparkling or occasional protuberance of certain letters, might indicate the answer to the inquiry of Aaron. But this hypothesis is supported by no evidence from the words of Moses. It is probable that no more was meant, than to represent by this silent metaphor, the whole congregation of Israel, in whose behalf the priest officiated. To my mind, this emphatic breast-plate is a beautiful emblem of a parent;-almost forgetting his own necessities, he comes to the Throne of Grace with the names of his children engraved on his heart, and for them he implores counsel, protection, and pardon?

*See Prideaux's Connections.