September 1

Exodus ii.—11. And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens; and he spied an Egyptian snitting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.

12. And he looked this way and that way; and, when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

13. And, when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together; and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?

14. And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

15. Now, when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.

16. Now, the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.

17. And the shepherds came and drove them

away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

18. And, when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon, today?

19. And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.

20. And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.

21. And Moses was content to dwell with the man; and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.

22. And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom; for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.

23. And it came to pass, in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried; and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

24. And God heard their groaning; and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

25. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

That one trained at court, and having wealth and honor at his disposal, should identify himself with the despised sorts of the country because he was of their race, showed true nobleness of character. To avenge the first case of wrong that came under his eyes, and at the risk of his own life, showed a quick sense of justice and a generous spirit of self-sacrifice. Still, upon moral grounds, the act itself can hardly be defended; and, since Moses had no visible power of effecting a revolution, as a signal of revolt it was at least premature. As Stephen said, "He supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them; but they understood not." Certainly he could not hope to rouse his race against their oppressors if they were quarrelling among themselves, and would not rally under a leader, who, for their

sakes, was ready to hazard fortune, honor, life itself. Moses, in the ardor of his temperament, had anticipated the call of Providence as to both the time and the method of his work. He needed the discipline of disappointment and solitude. Still it was a sublime faith which caused him to refuse to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. In any event, that was a wise and noble choice, which must lead to some great and good result.

The scene at the well exhibits the peculiarities of desert life in contrast with life in Egypt, and shows Moses to advantage as the helper of the weak.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 22, 110, 120.

O Lord Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith! we give thee thanks for all thy servants departed in the faith, who, having witnessed a good confession, have entered into rest. Grant us grace, we beseech thee, to be faithful unto death, that we also may receive a crown of life. May we have such a sense of thy presence and glory as shall lift us above the love or the fear of this world! Assist us by thy grace to do this day such things as are pleasing to thee. Deliver us from anxiety about earthly things, from a discontented and unthankful spirit.

Strengthen, O Lord! our faith in the promises of thy Word. Enable us to stay our minds on thee. Thou knowest our exceeding weakness, and the numberless dangers which every day surround us. Supply all our needs. If it should please thee to visit us with affliction, oh! make it work for our

real and eternal good, and give us a patient and submissive spirit. Be thou our defender through all the trials of life, our hope in death, and our portion forever.

We thank thee for thy loving-kindness in the night-season. Be pleased, O Lord! to bless all who are near and dear to us. Lead all whom we love into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Bless our neighbors. Look graciously upon this part of thy vineyard, and grant that true godliness may increase and abound among us. Help us to shine as lights in the world, and to commend the religion which we profess by the meekness and gentleness of our conduct, and by the holiness of our lives. Make us happy in our own souls, and useful to all around us. These mercies we ask for ourselves and others in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.