also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: and that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death."

The two spies felt deeply their obligations to Rahab. Their lives were precious not only to themselves, but to their whole nation, and she had already incurred the risk of losing her own in secreting them from danger. They perceived, too, her full belief in the true God whom they and the Israelites worshipped, and the implicit trust she was disposed to place in the assurance they might give her of protection, when the city should fall into the hands of Joshua and his army. She was, surely, entitled to their confidence and favor. They told her, that on condition of continued and entire secrecy on her part and that of her kindred, they would comply with her request. "Our life for yours," said they, "if ye utter not this our business." They were willing to forfeit their own lives, if they did not see to it that hers was preserved, in case the whole subject of their visit was kept concealed. "And it shall be," they added, "when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee."

It would not do to prolong the interview. Every moment was a critical one, as new inqui

ries might be prosecuted for the Israelitish strangers. Rahab advised them to make their way to the retirements of the mountainous regions in the neighborhood of Jericho, as speedily as possible, and there to hide themselves for three days, until their pursuers should give over the search and return. Then they might venture to proceed, and take their course back again to the other side of the Jordan.

Before going, they assured her, that they would scrupulously perform the promise which they had made. But, in order to this, she must be careful to follow their directions in one respect. Some mark would be necessary to designate her house, when the Israelites should take possession of Jericho, so that it might be recog nized by the soldiery, and herself and those who were in it be secure against violence. For this purpose, they told her to bind a line of scarlet thread in the window, and bring her kindred within her dwelling, where if they were careful to remain they should be safe; but that if any one went out of it, his blood should be upon his own head, and they accounted guiltless. They, then, again reminded her that if she divulged their secret, they should leave her to her fate. Having assented to this, she let them down by a cord through the window, on the outside of the city wall, and they departed. Not improbably it

was the same cord, or line, made up of bright scarlet threads twisted together, which she was to fasten in the window as the safeguard of her dwelling. It was the instrument of their escape, as it would be of her preservation.

The spies followed the advice of Rahab, and speedily reaching the mountains, secreted themselves there "three days;" that is, according to the import of similar expressions in the Scriptures, one whole day and a part of two others. The search after them proved fruitless; and, on the third day, they passed over the Jordan, returning in safety to the camp, and communicating to Joshua the results of their excursion. "Truly the Lord," said they, "hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us." This information was well adapted to inspire the Israelites with confidence in the success of the enter prise that was before them, and with courage in prosecuting it.

Joshua rose early the ensuing morning, and giving orders to that effect, the whole body of the Israelites were soon in motion. Leaving Shittim, in the plains of Moab, where they had been for some time, and proceeding to the banks of the Jordan, about eight miles distant, they encamped near them for the night.

Nothing but this river now separated them

from the land of promise. But as it rolled rapidly along, and swollen to its fullest extent from the melting of the snows on the mountains of Canaan, it seemed to oppose an insuperable barrier to those whose long-wished-for possessions lay beyond it. A new trial of their faith had come. They were soon to go forward, and in some way, as God might appoint, meet these deep, fastflowing waters, and pass across them to the opposite shore. The particular orders for doing this were given. The people throughout the encampment were told, that, when they should see the ark of the covenant, (borne on this great occasion, not by the common Levites as was customary, but by the priests alone,) moving towards the Jordan, they must prepare to commence their march. They were not, however, immediately to follow it. A space of about three quarters of a mile was to intervene. The ark, the symbol of the Divine presence, would thus guide and encourage them on their way. Being at some distance, they would see it the more distinctly, and have those feelings of reverential confidence which this token that Jehovah himself was their leader, would be adapted to inspire. The protection afforded the unarmed priests who attended it, and their fearless reliance for safety on the Divine arm, would be an additional means of confirming the faith of the

multitudes who followed them, and of preventing any delay or hesitancy among the more timorous.

The better to be prepared for the occasion, Joshua commanded the people to sanctify themselves; "for," said he, "to-morrow the Lord will do wonders among you." They were to separate themselves from whatever might unfit them for witnessing this display of the peculiar presence and power of God; to perform the necessary ceremonial ablutions; and to cultivate those pious affections of soul which would comport with the interest and solemnity of the scene. This command, it is worthy of recollection, was similar to that given by Moses to the Israelites just before they received the law from Jehovah at Mount Sinai, showing that God intended now to have intercourse with them by some striking manifestation of his agency, and interposition in their behalf.

Nothing is more remarkable, as we go along in the history of Joshua and his countrymen, than the wise arrangements of providence which God was continually making, to carry into effect his purposes with regard to his peculiar people. Their preparation for entering Canaan, with all the circumstances attending it, is a forcible illustration of this truth.

And God still takes care of his people-constant and peculiar care. His presence, as did the