The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-11-28
For the Register.
The Death of Moses.

Never had morning more leauteous
dawning, nor tho sun arisen with greater
glory, or seemed with moro gadness to
chase the dews away. The white tents
of Israel dotted the plains of Moab, and
above them lowered Mount Pisgah, cap
ped with neecy clouds which seemed as If
conscious Of the scene about to transpire
there vt the foot Of Nebo stood the as.
sembled lost Of Israel before their mighty
leader who for the last time was to say
flrcwell-to give them his last blessing.
As he casts his eye over the vast assem-.
bly,, he thinks not Of them os rotellious
and ungrateful, but as his children, whom
he has made free as companions and
brethren to whom lie is bound by thous
and sacred ties dearer to him than life.
Mcthirks lis voice faltcrs, and his
stern lips tremLlc as he turns to address
them. 'Ts but for moment, and the
struggle is over holy calmneSs settles
upon his brow, anl in the moment of
deepest distress lie utters exclamations
Of joy. " Happy art thou, o, Israel
The eternal God is thy refuge, and un-
derncath arc the everlasting arms who
is like unto thee, o, people, saved BY the
Lord, the shield Of thy help, and who is
the sword Of thy excellency" Then he
badc them last alden. Oh the an
guish Of that moment-language has
not meaning deep enough to describe it
imagination fails to depict IL aud one can
only realize It when he bids his last long
adcu TO earth, aud earthly friends. No
wonder, then, that the stern nature Of
Moses shook like cedar in tempest, as
he parted with Israel.a and turned from the
weeping multitude to ascend the noun.
tain alone without friend to support his
tottcring frame Alone Was not God
his friend Did not His strong arm up
hold him? Was it not lie wLo unfold
ed, to his spirit vision, Canaan in beauty
and mognicence unsurpassed He
pointed out to him the Jordan, roll
ing BY in its rocky channels, the groves
of palm aud cedar, and the vineyards
aud plains, and cities, which spread 10
endless beauty before him. But was this
all he saw ? Oh, no Methiuks he saw
with prophetic eye. lie looked upon the
future lie saw the glory and downfall
of Israel lie saw her when God smiled
upon her and when he turned away his
face in wrath lie saw a bright light
and voice saying, Fear not, for unto
you is born this day,in the city Of David,
a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" He
heard tho birth song Of the heavenly
host; he saw the bright star that stood
over Bethleham, and the babe i'll the
manger lie saw also the garden Of
Gethsemaue, and thc Son of man in deep
anguish. lie saw the Mount of Olives,
and from its summit heard n low plain.
tive voice praying in deep agony of spir-
it, Father, if it be possible let this cup
pass from me-" Again he heard it in
tones of resignation, Father, not my
will, but thine be done He sau anoth-
er mount wrapped in dark clouds-they
parted, and he saw tho bleeding form of
the Saviour hanging on the cross just in
the agonies of death He saw the angel Of
light descend and olaway the stone from
the door of the sepulchre, and the arisen
Saviour come forth, aud with glory as
cend into heaven.
The scene closes, ard Moses lays him
self down to die. His last words--his
last prayer are known only to God and
the angels who buried him, aud sung his
fuueral dirse. Thus the mighty law
giyer Of Israel passed from earth to hely.
en- and the spot that marks his last re-
pose ia unknown to mau, and unyisi'ed
save by the passing wind and the angry
tempest IL h Z.