and the organ of vision is the same: but light, the medium through which the eye sees, is wanting; and I look for the river, for the meadow, for the mansion, for the hill, for all the beauties of the scenery in vain-I am presented with

an universal blank." It is in vain that, as an intelligent creature, I am surrounded by the works of God, and am furnished with reasoning powers, with a capacity formed to contemplate, to examine, and to admire them, unless I am furnished also with some medium through which they may be seen. Revelation is that medium. Were the Were the eye of reason quenched in the spirit, the mind would be in that state of incapacity to discern the invisible God, as is the man born blind to examine his works. And were the light of revelation extinguished, although the man were in full possession of his intellectual powers, he would resemble the person on the summit of the mountain at midnight, in vain attempting to explore the landscape he would possess the organ, but be destitute of the medium; he would have the eye, but not the light. And, for this reason, the apostle represents the heathens, as "feeling "after, if haply they might find God, although "he was not far from every one of them :" as men involved in perfect darkness, although possessing the organ of vision, are compelled

:

to feel for the object of their pursuit, even when that object is at their side, or before their face.

It will be readily acknowledged, that through the medium of revelation alone, we can form any conception of things which are "not seen

as yet." We can know nothing, we can anticipate nothing of futurity, but as revealed religion removes the curtain, and unveils a portion of invisible objects. But we will venture to assert, that the visible creation itself is not beheld to perfection but through the medium of revelation. "The heavens declare the

glory of God, and the firmament sheweth "his handy work:" but the man who has never received this divine medium, discerns not that glory. Day unto day uttereth speech, night "unto night sheweth knowledge :" "There is "no speech nor language, where their voice " is not heard"-but he understands not their testimony. For this reason many have beheld their beauties, and have heard their voice, who have not acknowledged the existence of God; and, from these alone, none have understood his perfections. And if revelation be necessary to the developement of creation, how much more is it necessary to unfold the mysteries of Providence! After all, but little is at present discovered. Our curiosity is repressed, and our impatience controulled, by the declaration,

"what I do, thou knowest not now, but thou "shalt know hereafter." Yet we are permitted, sometimes, through this medium, to comprehend a part of the scheme, that we may form some conception of the magnificence of the whole. God decyphers a little of his own mysterious handwriting, to prove his perfect ability to construe the entire volume. He makes known a portion of his purposes, as a pledge, that he will, hereafter, fulfill his engagement to shew the harmony, the propriety, and the wisdom of all.

The chain of Scripture facts to be illustrated this night, is, THE JOURNEY OF ISRAEL IN

THE WILDERNESS; THEIR ESTABLISHMENT IN CANAAN; AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING THESE EVENTS.

This subject will completely confirm the preceding observations; for we shall see, in some instances, the wisdom and harmony of Providence, while so deep obscurity rests upon others, as to compel us to acknowledge, that "secret "things belong to God." Our Lecture must comprehend more or less of that history comprised in the last four books of Moses, from the fifteenth chapter of Exodus, to the twentyfourth chapter of Joshua inclusive, embracing a period of about sixty-four years. We shall adopt, in the present instance, our general mode

of discussion, which is, to consider these events, with their concomitant circumstances, as they are related in the scriptures: to set before you such foreign testimonies as appear calculated to elucidate and to confirm the scriptural narration; and to attempt an answer to some objections which scepticism has raised against this part of the sacred records.

1. WE SHALL CONSIDER THESE EVENTS, WITH THEIR CONCOMITANT CIRCUMSTANCES, AS THEY ARE RELATED IN THE SCRIPTURES.

Our object, at present, is to produce an epitome of the narrative to be considered, in as brief a form as possible; and for a more complete history of the wanderings and establishment of these singularly preserved people, we must refer you to the Bible itself, whose unadorned, and faithful record, may be consulted at your leisure.

In tracing the Israelites through all their journey, and regarding them as eye-witnesses of the wonders performed for their preservation, we shall find their character to be precisely such as David represented it, when he said, "They sang his praises, but they soon forgat "his works!" When they beheld the Egyptians

dead upon the sea-shore, under a grateful impression of the miraculous deliverance wrought on their behalf, they joined in the sublime anthem of their leader: and if we were to form our judgment upon the appearance then presented of attachment to the God who fought for them, we should conclude that his goodness could never be obliterated from their remembrance, and that their thankfulness could never by any dangers be extinguished. Scarcely, however, had three days elapsed, before they murmured, because the waters of Marah were bitter and no sooner was this evil remedied, than their provisions failed, and their complaints were renewed with indecent violence. With indulgent kindness, the Lord supplied their necessities, by sending, with the dew of the morning, a substance bearing some resemblance to a small pearl, which answered the purpose of bread, and which, not knowing by what name to call it, they termed MANNAa word implying, "what is it ?"-in the evening, a prodigious flock of quails came up, and covered the camp. This event took place about the middle of April, at which period these birds are observed to cross the Red Sea in vast numbers. The miracle therefore consisted, not so much in the immense multitudes which fell in the camp of Israel, as in the direction of them