sonal benefit, many lessons of practical wisdom from the lips of Moses; and, under the influence of such a model, was continually forming his own character.

Thus trained and qualified, in an eminent degree, to become the successor of the illustrious leader of the Israelites, Joshua was chosen by God himself to fill that high office, and was solemnly set apart for it, a few months before Moses was called upon to leave the world. The ceremony took place, by the imposition of the hands of the latter upon the head of Joshua, with the delivery of a charge, in the presence of the high-priest, and of the whole congregation. He was, at the same time, associated with Moses in the government of the people, and thus began to exercise a portion of that authority with which he was soon to be entirely invested.

As the departure of Moses drew near, these two servants of the Lord were summoned to the tabernacle. There the divine presence appeared to them in the pillar of a cloud, and Joshua, in addition to the instructions which were given to Moses, received this memorable charge: "Be strong, and of a good courage; for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them; and I will be with thee."

Moses, soon after, ascended Mount Nebo, and there yielded up his spirit to Him who gave it.

Joshua now stood alone, the governor and guide of his countrymen. His very name (the import of which is, he shall save, or the salvation of Jehovah) seemed to indicate his character, and to invite their confidence. He was well entitled to it. Venerable in age,-eighty, or it may be, one hundred years having rolled over him,-still vigorous in body and in mind,—matured in judgment by a long course of experience; wise in counsel; enterprising and courageous; accustomed to command; of long-tried fidelity in the service of Jehovah; looking to him for direction and support; and having the pledge of Omnipotence that he should be sustained, and made successful, in his arduous career; who could be better qualified to consummate the mighty undertaking which his distinguished predecessor had brought so near its completion?

The thirty days of mourning for Moses had ended. All eyes were turned upon his successor; and under Joshua as their leader, the hosts of Israel, still encamped near the banks of the Jordan, were impatient to pass it, and enter upon the possession of their promised inheritance. Nor is the fulfillment of their wishes to be long delayed. The eventful crisis approaches. Joshua receives the divine mandate to proceed. "Moses my servant is dead;" he no longer lives to carry the consummation of my great designs into effect;

thou art to do it" now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness," (the desert of Arabia Petræa on the south,) to "Lebanon on the north; and from "the river Euphrates" on the east, to "the great Sea," (the Mediterranean,) on the west, "shall be your coast "the limits of the extensive country which you shall finally possess.

"There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth," (it must so rule thy heart, that in all thy conversation and conduct, both private and official, it shall not cease to flow forth from thy lips, habitually and constantly, showing that thou dost own it as thy

sole guide,) "but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Implicit obedience to the commands of God, and an unwavering confidence in his promises, were to be to Joshua the grounds of assurance, that he should succeed in the enterprise which was before him. He was to make the book of the law his constant study. He was to endeavor, with divine aid, to conform to all its requisitions. Then, and only then, the hand of Omnipotence would guide, sustain, and bless him.

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The same obedience and faith, my young friend, on your part, will alone secure to you blessing of God upon the enterprises in which you may engage. What the world calls success may, indeed, sometimes attend your plans for the attainment of wealth and distinction, for the enjoyment of luxury and pleasure, while you neither love nor obey God. Your desires in these respects may be gratified, and yet the gratification prove your greatest calamity and curse. For it will bring with it no true peace of mind, no

substantial and enduring happiness, and may end in the loss of your soul.

Real success in life is the result of plans formed for promoting the glory of God, the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and the welfare, temporal and eternal, of our fellow

men.

He who makes his various enterprises,all his employments and efforts, subservient to the accomplishment of these objects; who takes the Bible as his counsellor and guide; and reposes a filial confidence in the divine promises, will be sure of the protection and blessing of God. He will often have the unspeakable satisfaction of witnessing the consummation of his projects; and if he is deprived of it, he knows that even the apparent failure is ordered in wisdom by Him who understands the best modes of accomplishing his benevolent designs.

Be thus obedient and faithful, and thou shalt truly prosper whithersoever thou goest, and in whatsoever thou doest.