caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither."

What more Jehovah may have said to Moses, at this time, we are not informed. A mysterious silence broods over the closing scene of his life, as if to guard it against the profanation of our too curious gaze. We only know that the lonely summit of Pisgah furnished his dying couch. Its sublime height pointed upward to the heavenly Canaan which he was about to enter; and, sustained and cheered by the presence of his Almighty Friend, he peacefully breathed out his soul into the hands of Him who gave it.

So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died : his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days."

Thus ended the life of this wonderful man; and such was the tribute of deep and universal sorrow which a whole people paid to his memory. We have followed him, step by step, from his very infancy, through the long course of his eventful career, to its mysterious close. It only remains to take a brief view of some of the prominent traits

of his character, and to derive from it those salu tary instructions which it is so well adapted to impart. May the divine blessing attend us in doing it; and the example of Moses serve to inspire us with a livelier faith in God, and a warmer zéal in his service.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

The character of Moses. Conclusion.

In the course of the history, we have already been led to notice not a small part of the character of Moses, in connection with the incidents of his life as they occurred, and to make such practical reflections as, it was hoped, would be attended with benefit to the reader. We only need, therefore, to bring before our view, in as concise a manner as possible, such of the more striking characteristics of this great and good man, as will be best adapted to leave an abiding and salutary impression on the mind.

Did time permit, it might be shown without difficulty to what an elevated rank Moses is entitled, among the most extraordinary men who have ever

lived; if not, indeed, claiming a decided pre-eminence over them all. We cannot help thinking that his very countenance, and person, and mien, presented those aspects of dignity and grace which would correspond with the nobleness, the courage, the tender sensibility, and the ever-active benevolence, which belonged to him in so remarkable a degree. When an infant, the Scriptures tell us that he was "a goodly child," and "exceeding fair;" at the time of his death, being one hundred and twenty years old, he still retained the full health and vigor of manhood; and that his bodily presence was of the most engaging and commanding kind, there is every reason to believe.

And what might not be said of his natural talents; of his acquirements; of his capacity to sway the minds of men; of his decision and intrepidity; of his constancy, firmness, and fortitude; of his inflexible perseverance; of his consistency, wisdom, and prudence; of his exalted character as a writer, historian, philosopher, governor, legislator, and judge. These were, indeed, the gifts of the Almighty, who thus endued him with them for the discharge of his peculiar and arduous duties; and to whom no one would be more ready to render all the glory of their origin, than the meek and unassuming individual that possessed them. But under the divine blessing, he also cherished and cultivated these gifts; and they could