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


Central Truth The severity and
goodness of God.
The Israelites are still on the east
side of Jordon, where the children of
Reuben and Cad and half the tribe of
Manasseh have now already been as
signed their portion of the promised
Inheritance. The rest are soon to
pass over to the good land beyond.
And good land it was. Toward it
their ewes had often turned with long
ing aAd hope. 1t is easy to believe
that now there was eXulting IN many
breasts. And yet their JOY had its ad
mixture OF sorrow. One of their num-
ber was to be left behind. Their nc.
tual entrance upon the promised land
was to be preceded by the death OF
their leader. On one memorable occa-
sion Moses had sinned II sin, the pen
atty of which was that, though he
might be permitted to see the land, he
could never enter it. To them he
must now bid farewell.
The end of any wise and good man
might be a profitable as well as inter-
esting study. 1t will certainly do us
good to trace some of the last things
in the earthly life of such man as
Moses.
1. We here get - glimpse of his last
work. 1t is not an uncommon thing
to find ones ruling passion strong in
death. Pride, avarce and ambition
do not relax their grasp rs worldly
and selfish men grow old and approach
the end. The life of Moses had been
one of disinterested devotion to the
welfare OF Gods people. For their
sakes he surrendered the riches of
Egypt, endured the hardships of the
wilderness wanderings, and gave up
every merely personal interest. Ii j.
said he was very meek but the word
so rendered rather signifies "much.eu-
during" or "disinterested." This was
his spirit, and this was his work. And
he was deep in this work to the very
last. He is teaching and admonish-
ing the people not planning and do
ing for himself. Who would not pre-
fer to be found by the Messenger of
Death in the midst of such work Z?
Our Saviour said: BLESSED is that
servant whom his lord, when he S&l.
eth, shall find 50 doing"
2. We have here the record of his
last counsel. a mans last words are
likely to be sober and sincere. He may
be trusted in the face of death to speak
his deepest thought. Moses had seen
more than have most men Of any age
of every side of life. lie had lived in
q palace and in the desert. He had
known what it was to enjoy luxury
and wealth. lie was learned in the
best human wisdom. He knew every
side of this world f; he understood the
human heart he had studied the ways
of providence; he had great acquain-
tance with God. just now he has
been rehearsing to them the laws of
God; and has added to words ofreligi-
Gus instruction and admonition n
''great prophetic hymn" setting forth
the perfections and iaithfulnesss of
God. And what is his very last coun-
SELF 1t is that the people should set
their hearts" upon these things, that is.
should give them serious and habitual
attention. Moreover they are to "com-
mend their children to observe them"
accounting this to be the very best lega-
cy one can leave behind to those he
loves. And they are to do all this as
a matter Of the most serious conse.
quence--a matter of death and life, of
earthly profit as well as divine favor
'It is not vain thing; it is your
lifeI" 1t is well worth noting that
this il the final and soberest Judgment
ofa wise and great and good man.
3. Further on we learn something
of his lat experience triM sia. The
testimony to the obedience and faith.
fusness Of Moses, in both the Old Tes.
lament aud the New, is very remark.
able. He Is "the man of God"
There arose not a prophet in Israel
like unto Moses whom the Lord knew
face to face" "Moses verify was faith.
full" But he was no exception to the
saying that "All have sinned." Just
what bis sin was is not made entirely
clear in the record oft. Il was Elm
of mingled pride, unbelief ard unsub.
mission (Numbers 20;10-12.) It was
confessed, and no doubt forgiven.
Many years bad elapsed since It was
committed. But now the noteworthy
thing is that il meets him again on his
dying day. lie has not yet done with
its effects. Ii keeps him out Of tho
promised land. He has prayed that
God will 70 far forget It as to suffer
him to accompany the people he loves
to the place Of their final victories and
rest Il pray thee, let me 90 eyer and
see the good land that Is beyond Jor.