March 21

Exodus xix. — 1. In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

3. And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4. Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 5. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine: 6. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. 7. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him. 8. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord. 9. And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee forever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord. 10. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to-day and to-morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

11. And be ready against the third day; for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai. 12. And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death. 13. There shall not a hand touch it but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. 16. And it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. 17. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. 18. And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. 19. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. 20. And the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mount; and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount, and Moses went up.

There is a peak of Horeb known as Ras Sa'bah, which answers remarkably to the conditions of this narrative. In front of it is the broad plain of Ez Rabah, which, with the adjacent wades, would afford room for a vast encampment. The mountain, from base to summit, is in full view from every part of the plain; and it rises so sheer, that it "might be touched" by one standing below. Here, in all probability, was made that display of majesty and might, the very thought

of which fills one with awe as to-day he stands before the bare and silent precipice. Such warning, such reserve, such sanctity, such dread, were needed to impress a rude people with the power and the holiness of their God. But through all the grandeur and terror of this manifestation his gentleness appears, infolding, protecting, uplifting his people as with eagles' wings.

APPROPRIATE HIMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 155, 170, 176.

Almighty God, who in times past didst speak unto the fathers by the prophets, we bless thee that in these latter days thou hast spoken unto us by thy Son; that the glory which the patriarchs beheld afar off, and the promise which the prophets waited for, have been revealed in Christ; and, above all, that we have in him the forgiveness of sins and the life everlasting. Grant us grace, we beseech thee, ever to walk in thy light and to keep thy testimonies. May thy gospel this day minister to our peace and comfort, our faith and hope, our instruction in righteousness, our sanctification through obedience of the truth! May it quicken souls that are dead in trespasses and sins, and comfort and edify thy saints! May children hear the voice of Jesus their Saviour, and come unto

him! While in thy house, may we have the spirit of prayer and praise, and give earnest heed to the things that we shall hear! O thou God of peace, who didst bring again the Lord Jesus from the dead! grant us peace, we pray thee, through pardon in his blood and the hope of his resurrection. May none of us neglect his great salvation!

We give thee thanks, O Lord our preserver! for rest and refreshment in the night: grant us, this day, rest from the toils and cares of life, — rest in thee. Fulfil unto this household, and to all believing households, the mercies of thy covenant, through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with thee, O Father! and the Eternal Spirit, be glory everlasting. Amen.