cessible to the victors by the same Almighty hand. Its inhabitants had taken every precaution for their security. "It was straitly shut up," enclosed by its massy walls and bolted gates, "because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in." Joshua, as he viewed its fortifications, at a distance, might have regarded them, to say the least, as demanding the most skilful and longcontinued assault, to insure an entrance, and feared that even this would not be accomplished without a deadly loss on his side. But all such forebodings were now dissipated; and the vision departing, Joshua returned to the camp, to make immediate preparations for taking possession of Jericho.

If God does not, at the present day, interpose by his miraculous agency, to encourage under the pressure of appalling difficulties those who put their trust in him, yet he not unfrequently does this, and quite as effectually, by his providential arrangements. At any rate, where faith is in exercise and prayer unremitted, resolution and wisdom are imparted to remove these difficulties, or patience and fortitude to endure them, until a way of relief is opened.

The Captain of the host of the Lord-Jesus the Guide and Protector of his people-goes before them to point out the way, and to strengthen them for all their conflicts with their spiritual

enemies. Joshua imbibed fresh resolution from the assurances of such a leader, in view of the difficulties and dangers that were before him. We shall soon see that his faith and his courage were equal to the crisis.

And how is it, my young friend, with you in some trying emergency? When you are met with what appear to be insurmountable obstacles in the way of duty; when affliction weighs down your spirit to the earth; when resolution falters, and hope sickens; and dicouragement paralyzes; can you not see the great Captain of your salvation near you, and hear his gracious words, and rely on his promises, "exceeding great and precious," and adapted to all the necessities of your case?

All who trust in him, shall be conquerors, at last, and more than conquerors, over the world, the flesh, and the adversary of their souls. What a victory! What a triumph! How far, far beyond any of an earthly kind that Joshua achieved. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."

If you have, indeed, trusted in this Saviour, go forward in his strength. Be faithful unto death, and he will give you a crown of life. But what if you have not trusted in this Saviour! Who, then, is your leader and protector? On whom can you rely, if you do not rely on Jesus? Who,

what, will sustain you amid the trials of life, the scenes of a death-bed, and the coming wrath of the Almighty!

CHAPTER VI.

Jericho taken, and its inhabitants and the city destroyed, but Rahab spared with her kindred. Reflections on this

event.

The command of God with regard to the destruction of Jericho was immediately carried into execution. Joshua called the priests, and gave them directions how to proceed. He issued orders, also, to the armed men, of whom there were six hundred thousand, to be in readiness, and to a certain number of the people to join the procession. For it is not at all probable that the whole host of the Israelites, amounting to between two and three millions, and including women and children, were engaged in the undertaking; especially as they had, on the seventh day, to make seven circuits round the city. Injunctions were given to preserve entire silence.

There was to be no shouting or noise of any kind, not even a word spoken, till the day when Joshua should give orders for the general acclamation of triumph.

At length, the procession round the walls of Jericho was in motion. The principal part of the immense army of the Israelites went first, marshalled in distinct divisions under their respective leaders. Seven priests, blowing the seven trumpets of rams' horns, followed. Then came the ark of the covenant; and behind this such of the people as were directed to go, while the rearward, consisting of another portion of the army, closed the procession. After completing one circuit round the city, they returned to the encampment, and lodged there.

Early the next morning, all again were in motion, and marched round Jericho in the same order; the trumpets still sounding, while nothing else was heard but the tramp of the immense multitude. This was repeated once a day, during six successive days.

It must have been a strange sight to those who were in the city; and who, doubtless, from its walls gazed in wonder at the mysterious procession. What could it portend? Was it an object of ridicule, or of terror? Was it to taunt the besieged, and provoke them to come out, and attack their enemy? or was it to furnish a full dis

play of the force of the Israelites, and compel a prompt surrender when it should be demanded? Or might it be a religious ceremony of this new people, to make their God propitious, and enkindle their own courage before they commenced the attack? Doubt and amazement prevailed among the inhabitants of Jericho; while each succeeding day, every blast of the shrill-sounding trumpets, and every echoing tread of the immense host that marched round their walls, but increased the alarm within the city. They waited the result in anxious suspense, and without any attempt to assail the enemy from whom they had so much to fear.

The seventh day arrived. It had been anticipated with deep interest by Joshua and the Israelites; for it was to furnish the fulfilment of the divine declaration, that Jericho would be delivered into their hands. They began their march at early day-dawn, and continued it till they had compassed the city seven times. Whatever was the size of Jericho, the circuit which the Israelites made round it, considering their numbers, must have been of no small extent.

The repetition of this circuit seven times, occupied, doubtless, a considerable portion of the day, while its novelty added fresh perplexity to the minds of those within the walls.

At length the eventful moment was at hand.