September 20

Exodus xv. — 22. So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23. And, when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah; for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

24. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

25. And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them.

26. And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

27. And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm-trees; and they encamped there by the waters.

Exodus xvi. — 2. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

3. And the children of Israel said unto them,

Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh-pots, and when we did eat bread to the full! for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

4. Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

5. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

6. And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the Lord hath brought you out from the land of Egypt;

7. And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord; for that he heareth your murmurings against the Lord: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

8. And Moses said, This shall be when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.

There is evidence from history and from physical signs and remains that the Desert of Sinai was once much better watered and more fertile than it now is. Even now there are spots of good pasturage, and occasional wells and springs, which are surrounded with a scanty but most welcome verdure. In thirty days, so vast a multitude had made severe inroads upon the cattle and other supplies brought from Egypt. Still their murmurings were exaggerated; for, as serfs, they had not had so very abundant fare in Goshen: and their com-

plaint of Moses was unjust; for he shared their privations. Moses rightly accused them of murmuring against the Lord. Jehovah had given already abundant proofs that he could and would provide for them. It is human nature to forget past mercies under present trials. Hunger and thirst, indeed, are a terrible ordeal, and the spirit of complaint is infectious; but, through all threats and trials, Moses maintained a meek and steadfast faith, — the one link between the rebellious people and their Preserver.

APPROPRIATE HYNNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 88, 114, 117.

O Lord Jesus! we do hunger for thy Word; we do thirst for thy Spirit. Weak, empty, perishing, in ourselves, we cry unto thee for the bread of heaven, for the water of life. With longings for good that this world can never satisfy, we turn to thy fulness that we also may be filled. Confessing our folly in forsaking thee, mourning our sin in grieving thee, we come with broken and contrite hearts, and entreat thee to grant us forgiveness, comfort, and peace. Oh! strengthen us to resist temptation, to overcome evil, to renounce the world. We beseech thee, show us the Father; make us pure in heart, that we may see God.

Most merciful God, who in Jesus Christ thy Son has! revealed thyself as our reconciling Father, grant us grace, we beseech thee, to be followers of God as dear children. [May the children of this family love and obey the precepts of thy gospel,

and follow the example of their Lord and Saviour!] And, oh, may the numbers of thy children be multiplied throughout the world, until the whole family of man shall be made one in Christ Jesus! Bless the peace-makers, and let the nations learn war no more. Have compassion, O Lord! upon the poor and the sorrowing; deliver the persecuted and the oppressed; have mercy upon all prisoners and captives. Grant us grace to endure with patience any trials and afflictions that may come upon us for thy cause, and to conquer the world by faith. And do thou, O Lord! forgive our enemies, and forgive us as we forgive them. O Lord our Preserver, who hast kept us through the perils of the night! keep us from evil this day and always; and finally bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom, through thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.