The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-20


conduct at Meribah- -Iiadlsh (Deut. xxxil,
50-5i). Accordingly his grave was made
near Beth-peor, and no man knew where.
| 1t was an unmarked spot dude ~. which
no one in all after centuries might visit,
sepulchre appointed by the Lord him
self, secret resting place far removed
from the habitations of Israel. God him
self performed the funeral rites.
| ADVANCED AGE.-(verse ~. Long
evity Is promised as n reward of right
| eousness psalm xci, 16; Prov. Ill, 16). 1t
| came to the patriarchs in most remark
| able way df the statements may be re-
ceived as historically, probably through
simplicity of life, or physical righteous
| ness tGen. V. 2O. Moses at the time of
| his death had reached one hundred and
twenty years. fifty-ive years less than
Abraham (Gen XIV. y. and ten years
more than Joseph Gen. l. 26). The life Of
Moses was divided into three equal parts
forty years In Egypt, forty years in
Midian. and forty years In the exodus.
1t Is noted here as n matter of special in
terest that he came to the end with much
vgor His eye was not dim, nor his
natural force abated.' This indicated
that lie might have lived longer. but that
he passed away at this time because 1t
was the will of the Lord that he should
go. His work was done. and another
must lead Israel where he was not per-
mitted
NATIONAL MOURNING. .--(verse 81.
When Jacob died there were three pc
RODS of mourning, forty days by the
1sraelites, seventy days by the Egyptians,
according TO their custom to fulfill re-
ligious obligations, and seven days on
In nDtt y-1O ~ n f.
ter the death of Moses the public ex-
preston of grief and respect was limited
to thirty days as II was in the case of
Aaron who died at Mount Hor Numb.
NS. 29). The exercises connected with
such occasion were exceedingly varied
comprising the beating of the breast or
other part of the body, weeping and
screaming in an excessive degree. wear
ing sad colored garments, dressing in
sackcloth. uttering songs of lamentation,
funeral feasts the employment Of pro-
fessional persons to lament. There can
be no doubt that much of this originated
In superstition. There was an opinion
that the soul of the departed fingered
near the body for a time and was con-
scious of any expression of sorrow, and
that by 1t release was found to enter into
the habitation of departed spirits. With
the superstition there was probably much
genuine grief.
APPOINTED SUCCESSOR.-(Verse 81.
The death of Moses had been anticipated |
One who came up from Egypt with him, |
Joshua, the son of Nun, had been ap-
pointed to leadership (Numb xvii. 1S), |
a year before ard solemny consecrated |
to the office by the imposition of hands |
which signtied the transfer of authority |
Q Tim. iv, 1D. Joshua had long and |
varied training for the position. He COM
manded the military organization as a
lieutenant, and his abilities We're dis
played in the battle with Amalek (Ex.
xvii. 13). He had been in close relations
as minister or private secretary to Moses
(EX. XXiv 13). He had been admitted to
secret consultations in the tabernacle
tEX. xxxii. ID. He was one of the spies
who went to explore Canaan Numb. xiii
l6). And now when the great leader dis
upon whom all had trusted so
long. here stood the man ready to take
up and carry forward the work which the
other laid down. He was full of the
spirit of wisdom, that special grace which
completed his equipment for service
(Dan vi. -. And Israel turned to him
with confidence.
INCOMPATIBLE PRoPHET.-(vcrses
10. II. 12). Now comes the final estimate
of Moses which, like an inscription upon
tombstone. forms the closing section
of the last book. Brief. comprehensive
md beautiful it is in five great parts. 1.
He was a prophet, an inspired teacher.
me who gave Gods word as he received
t. prompted by the Holy Ghost GI Pet. i,
ID. overflowing with the message. 9.
lie was superior to any who came after
lin to the time of this writing. date un-
inown although another like him Deut.
WILL 1o), was promised at a later date
He knew God face to face. being ad-
nitted into the closest intimacy of asso-
iation and speech (EXod. viii, 800, dur
ng the long period in which he presided
ver the interests of his countrymen. d. |
hat intimacy enabled him to fill two Of {
ICES successfully-tirst as Gods represen-
ntive at the court of Pharaoh by signs
nd wonders. and second as the special |
gent to make known Gods judgments
o Israel If we gather up and put in one !
entence these five points we may write, 6
The Incompatible prophet, who con- I
ersed with God, who administered Gods i
Ill to the Egyptians and the Israelites" u
CONCLUS1ON.-There Is a place and /
lission for every man, adapted to his '
ilents. appointed by the Almighty. a S
lace which should be prayerfully sought
Acts. TX. %. and cOnscientiousy filed. 1t Il
ften occurs that one is cut short in his II
areer, denied the privilege of complet- v
ls what he began. through some weak n
ess or indiscretion. Nevertheless. for all | II
'ue work well done there is a reward,
le lasting honor due from posterty
'sal I'm nc. 10. The work of one pre- n
ares for that of those who come after, so n
lat continuity and completeness are se- u
lred by succession John iv, 3S). After
loses came Joshua. Happy the man
no carries forward a cause that an
her may take up and continue T Chron L
xii, @. 1t is well for every one to feel s.
lat he is a co-worker with those who q
ent before and those who came after, II
~ little time toilhg at an unfinished
sS, obligated so to toll that Gods pur- n
,se may not be frustrated nor Gods n
an marred but all may go forward to- 7.
ard the far off but unseen end that lies o.