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some who, like the plain surrounding the Israelites, present no hindrance, or encouragement; characters who do not offer to oppose his progress, and are too fearful or too ignorant to encourage: but there may likewise be some one, or some class of people, who present an insuperable mountian to human eyes; whose judgment perhaps he fears; whose example makes him hesitate; from whom, far from hoping to receive advice or support, he looks rather for rebuke and contempt; who are in fact a dry and barren rock in the way. And now, let me praise and glorify the power and wisdom of God. Behold from this very rock do the waters flow. He knows my wants-He hears my prayers-He knows whence to bring what is most suitable to my case--and He is also able to make the man I dread, a very present help, an instrument of good. He does not command Moses to dig in the plain, to search for water there; but sends him at once with the rod in his hand to the flinty rock; and there proclaims His power and glory, by "turning the hard rock into a springing well." My soul, learn to be instant in prayer, and to follow in unwavering faith His commands, however hand they may seem to human wisdom.

The historian proceeds. "Then came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim."

Here then is the first enemy to oppose their progress. It is often the same in the experience of the returning sinner; he may go on for some time without meeting any particular opposition, except from his own desires and inclinations, the indulgence of which is now almost natural to him. God does not permit the enemy to bring all his army against him at once; but tries him by small things, that he may gain strength and confidence in his Helper, before the greater trials come upon him: but sooner or later comes the opposition of the world--the sneer-the ridicule the coldness of friends-the contemptuous pity -a fiery trial-"Amalek comes to fight against Israel" here begins indeed the warfare.

And Moses commanded Joshua to go and fight with Amalek, while he went to the top of the hill. Joshua with the people immediately went; and as long as Moses'

hands were lifted up, Israel prevailed; but when they hung down, Amalek prevailed: and Moses' hands were heavy, and were supported by Aaron and Hur; "and were held steady till the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword."

Here I may remark that when Moses commanded the Israelites to fight with Amalek, they do not hesitate, but immediately obey. They had always murmured at former grievances, but now they are ready at once to attack the enemy. One reason may be, they had learned from former deliverances, and especially that recorded in the same chapter, and which therefore they could not have yet forgotten, to trust in the arm that helped them. My soul, do thou also learn to throw thy daily cause and thyself upon him, who hath delivered and preserved thee hitherto. He that commanded the water to flow, can also strengthen the weak arm.

"Joshua fought with Amalek." Waste no time in considering whether you can avoid the combat; attempt not to go round about to avoid the enemy. The Israelites were in a wilderness, unknown to them-so are you; and you have but one way to go-think then on the city you are travelling to, and shrink not, though the world oppose you. You are not going in your own strength-but in the strength of the Lord. "Go forward" then, according to his word, and remember that his eye is upon you.

Here is an apt illustration of the power of prayer. Let me reap the benefit; and as I advance to fight with the spiritual Amalekites, let it be in the power and spirit of prayer. It will be well too to engage in my behalf the prayers of the children of God, my fellow-travellers, especially Christian leaders; but more than all, let me seek an interest in the intercessions of that one great leader, whose hands are never weary, never hang down; and as long as I can see him engaged on my side all will be well -Amalek must fall. Neither may I be discouraged, though the conflict is long and obstinate. Hitherto the Israelites had seen the word of God all-powerful without their help-" He spake and it was done," while they re

mained inactive spectators; but now they must work, and yet give all the glory to God. Even so, my soul, expect not an easy contest. It must last long enough to cut off some of thy present seeming friends--some of those dear thoughts and desires, which have murmured against the strictness of the holy law of God, and retarded thy progress-yea, "until the going down of the sun," must the fight be continued-the prayer lifted up. Many and sharp are the trials; so numerous and mighty are thine enemies, that thou shalt be "faint" and weary, and often tempted to despair: yet arise-look forward to the close of thy day-the hour of victory.

"Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And the Lord said unto Moses, write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua." And so shall thy fights and thy victories-thy prayers and thy tears-be entered into a book of remembrance; yea, and shall be rehearsed in thy ears. Thou shalt be acknowledged and commended by the great Captain of thy salvation, before the assembled armies of the world-yea, even thy poor name shall Christ deign to utter to notice thy weak labours in his cause; yea, the hosts of heaven shall shout the song of victory, and welcome thee to their happy mansions of bliss, as a good and faithful soldier. "Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

To return to the history. The conflict is over-the battle is won-peace is restored. Very numerous were the troops of the enemy, and very haughty were their looks; but all are conquered. All have either fled, or are lying low before thee; once more the way is clear; but, ere you proceed, pause, and look upon thy victory. "Moses built there an altar to the Lord, and called it Jehovah-nissi." Here, my soul, thou wilt do well to imitate the leader of the Israelites. Reflect the reasons which induced Moses to this act.

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1st. It is the hour of victory; and also, the hour of pride. Beware lest you fall even in victory. They who

were so ready to murmur in the hour of need, are not likely to be more mindful of their God, in the hour of conquest. The enemy has fallen, and they have been the instruments of his defeat; and it is more than possible the flushed heart is saying to itself, "By my might and by the power of mine arm, have I gotten this victory." Haste then and delay not, even now to raise the altar. Check the rising passion-resist the ensnaring temptation -let the field of battle be also the place of praise; even now, ere the weapons of war are put aside, ere the armour is ungirt; let heart and hand be employed in erecting the trophy of praise, and let it be dedicated by the name"Jehovah-nissi-the Lord--my banner." "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high refuge."

But again: though the enemy be once conquered, think not he will never rise again. Again and again will he return, and more and more terrible will be the array of his army. Now on this side, and anon on that side, nay at every step and turn of the way will he harass and endeavour to stop thy progress; not as at first, seen at a distance and allowing time for preparation, but coming upon thee unawares "as a roaring lion." Oh! then sit down and "count the cost." Now as you contemplatethe first conflict, the first victory, raise the altar of prayer, as well as praise, and let it be also the monument of memorial, to which in future trials thou mayest look back and find encouragement. Here, from the recollection of former triumphs, let the drooping arm find strength, and the wavering faith, support; remember the overthrow of the fierce enemy; call to mind that thou hast conquered; and again gird on the invincible armour; and "Jehovahnissi" be thy watchword. "Because the Lord hath sworn, that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." Qa-on then to the warfare--whenever and wherever the Lord may lead. "Forward and fear not." Take "the breastplate of righteousness"-"the shield of faith"-"the helmet of salvation"--and "the sword of the Spirit" and "Jehovah-nissi" be thy standard.

Be not dismayed at the fiery darts of the enemy; seek not to hide your banner, but bear it aloft. They will struggle hard to wrest it from you-but the post of danger is also the post of honour. We hear of those, who in national contentions, rather than relinquish their colours, have folded them round their bodies, and fallen a mark for the enemy. Could they do this for the fading glory of man --and shall not the glory of God, the praise of God excite to as noble deeds? Oh! let not the Christian soldier yield in courage. Faint and almost overpowered by the repeated assaults of thy spiritual enemy, fold around thy soul the banner under which thou art fighting-"the Lord, my righteousness"--and then, welcome the arrow of death, whenever it arrives; "in death thou art more than conqueror." Happy indeed shall be the soldier who falls in such a winding sheet. "He that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it." VIGILO.

22

ON FERVOUR IN DEVOTION.

MY DEAR CHRISTIAN FRIEND,-I am truly glad to hear that you have made a beginning in the ways of the Lord, and have been led by the Holy Spirit to see the evil of sin, the lost and ruined condition of your soul by nature and practice, and your need of a Saviour. I rejoice greatly that you have been led to the Saviour, that you have sought his mercy and have obtained it; and have felt peace and hope in believing. Your changed state resembles that of a traveller, who had lost his way in the windings of a forest; his fears had arisen that he should be lost in it; when a light at a distance guided his steps to a place where a guide could be procured, by whose friendly guidance he was again restored into the king's highway. Surely joy at the deliverance and gratitude to the deliverer, would be the uppermost feelings of such a traveller, while he would also listen with attention to the cautions given him, as to the further difficulties he had yet before him.

Take the friendly hint, my dear Christian friend, from this familiar illustration. You can now sing with David, "he hath

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