Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-21

MOSES AND AARON.

NatlOn.
The call of Moses, and his response
TO the divine summons, was our last
topic; and close upon it follows that of
today.
From so great task as that assigned
him he drew back. lie plead personal
unworthiness. Then he would know by
what name God would be known to his
people. The Lord patiently replied to
his questionings and removed his diff
cultles as we have already seen.
Moses was then directed to go to
Egypt, and make known to Israel,
through their elders, Gods good pur-
pose concerning them. lie Is assured
that they will hearken to his voice.
Pharoah will refuse to let the people
10. SO reasonable request as that
they may 90 three day. journey into
the wilderness To offer sacrifice, will
be denied Nor will he yield until the
land shall he sorcy smitten and his
stubborn will i broken. Israel shall
then 90 out, not so much by the King
consent as with triumph, and laden
with the spoil OF victors.
Moses still shriuks from the under.
taking, and starts new difficulty. The
people will be iucredulous it is forty
years since he went into exile; they do
not know him. To meet this plea he
is empowered to work three miracles,
we'll suited to confirm his own faith
and to prove both to Israel and to
Pharoah his divine commission. Yet,
again, Moses drew back. \ leader
should be eloquent able to kindie
enthusiasm, and he Is "slow OF speech
and of a slow tongue And again God
replied with patience. and assured him
of divine and allsutiicient aid. Here,
finally, the deep reluctance of Moses
came out in the plea that, after all,
another may be sent. Upon this the
anger of the Lord was kindled against
him. Nevertheless he still bore with
the great weakness of his servant, and
now at last announced that he should
not go alone. Aaron "can speak well"
lie shall be his helper. Already he is
on his way to meet Moses in the viii.
derness.
This brings Us to the opening words
of the present lesson.
The story now goes back little. 1t
starts with the call of Aaron. Wonder.
full indeed are the ways of God Tn.
der his guidance "all things work to.
gether.p Egypt and the wilderness are
equally under his eye. Aaron there
aud Moses here are both being prepared
for the same work. The same hand
leads them. Ia due time they meet.
The signs which are now done by
Aaron are those to which allusion has
already been made. lie speaks for
Moses, and acts for him. The staff of
Moses was to be thrown upon the
ground, when it should become a ser
pent, causing him to draw back then
he should take it by the tail, and it
should become again staff. Heshould
put his hand into his bosom, and find
II leprous as snow, and then, putting it
into his bosom again, he should find 1t
restored. lie should pour water from
the Nile upon the ground, and it should
become blood. So it was done.
Concerning these miracles it is to be
noticed that, so far as appears from the
Scripture record, they were the first
ever wrought br the agency Of man.
This is altogether remarkable. The
oldest books OF other religions are full
Of man.wrought marvels. both trivial
and grotesque. Not one such is record
ed in patriarehal Bible history. When
miracles, by human agency, do appear.
1t is that they may serve a great and
worthy end. The Church of God is
now to enter upon its first great conflict
with the world. II is needful that her
leader should bear credentials attesting
his divine commission. Such was the
first purpose of these miracles. They
were medicine applied to the detected
soul Of the great prophet while to
Israel and to Pharoah they were signs
OF the divine presence and power
cheering to the one, appalling to the
other.
The effect of the signs upon Israel
was Just what had been promised "All
the people believed" But Pharoah's
heart, as had been predicted, was only
hardened, Thus the same gracious in
Propositions have in all times been to
some "savors OF life unto life" and TO
others "savors Of death unto DEATH
There is, at first glance, an appearance
possibly OF shrewd policy, if not of de.
ception, in the particular request ad.
dressed to Pharoah. 1t was for leave
TO go q three days journey into the
wilderness to hold religious feast, the
real intention being that they should
never return. But, plainly, God had
no need OF strategy or deception. lie
had no lack Of resources or power. The
purpose no doubt was to make obedi-
ence on Pharosl's part more easy.
Had he acceeded to the first and small
er request, the next and larger would
have been less difficult. This Is ever
Gods way. To-day he sets before US
to-day's duty. This prepares us for
that of tomorrow. Life Is unfolded
step by step, hour by hour. Such is
the wisdom and grace Of God. lie con.
descends to our weakness.
All this help us to see the great wick.
edness Of Pharoah in his response TO
the divine command. That command
was Just; 1t was by no means extrava.
CANT OF hard. IL was by the lips of mi
Taculously accredited messenger. Only
the most determined unbelief could
have 80 shut it's eyes upon the clearest