Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-12-08

loss of privilege and opportunity,
which came of his one sin. On his dy.
ing day he Is reminded that on account
of it God was wroth with him. In all
this there is stern severity. And our
God is thus seen 10 be stern God,
even in his dealings with his own chill
dren. What If all our sins should be
set before US in our dying hour ?
Could we endure the sight? What if
we should not only see them, but
have to think of them as unforgiven
4. The lesson gives us an intimation
of his last support and cheer. 1t was
needful for others sakes that God
should deal sternly with his servant.
Nevertheless he regards him as true
servant, and mingles great goodness
with the severity. In the last verse of
our lessou is the promise that, from the
mountains summit, he shall see the
goodly heritage. And, two chapters
further on. we find the promise fulfil
ed God is with him in the Mount.
And there he grants to him a vision of
all the land, makes for him a grave,
and, possibly by angel hands, buries
him in valley. In all this there are
indications of great tenderness.
Doubtless, Moses was made to see that
not only was his sin forgiven, but God
had provided some better things for
him than had entered his thought. His
land of promise was larger, fairer, more
glorious. than that which lay bask-
ing at his feet. He had dreamt q
dream of Canaan, and his God took
him where alone such dreams could be
fulfilled. We may be assured that his
spirit rejoiced when the summons
came, as the mature and holy are
glad when they catch the tread of the
angel of death" But this was not
ali. Was not Moses prayer to be per-
mitted to enter the promised land lit.
orally aud gloriously answered when,
ages after, he stood with Christ on the
Mount of Transiiguration9
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
/. 1t is worth noticing that, among
the very last things Moses did, was to
give to the people an inspiring song.
Impressions thus conveyed are deep
and lasting. The poetry we love and
the songs we sing have much to do
with the characters we form.
>. The work. of good men must
have its end, but happily their teach
ings and example often long remain.
3. The truths, precepts and prom
ises of God are Of benefit to those
only who give them earnest, believing
and loving attention.
!. Moses would have the parent
command" his child. if need be, in
the way of Gods commandments,
kindly of course, and yet firmly.
Was he wrong? The parent COM
mands in secular things, why not in
those of more importance
). To observe to do" and not to
observe merely to know, is the proper
end of ali moral instruction. The
child's knowing and doing should 90
along together, otherwise he forms the
often fatal habit of deliberate trifling
with known truth and duty.
6. We have not done with sin when
it ! l1committed, nor yet when it is
seepNngly out of mind. 1t turks in
thG|memory. IL will return upon us
WEN the memory will be most painful.
T. Even forgiveness does not give US
back lost opportunities, nor does it
cancel the i'll effects of sin.
8. In dealings with his penitent and
believing children, God mingles good.
ness with severity; judgments are
made to serve purposes of discipline ;
be hurhbles and reiiues by disappoint-
ment and pain; then, when the work
of purifying is all done, he grants
visions Of beauty and delight. Best
of all, he translates the perfected
spirit to that fairer Canaan which is
above.