Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-21

dressing in sackcloth and singing songs
of lamentation. funeral feasts. the en-
pioyment of professional persons to la
ment. There can be no doubt that much
or TINS originated in superstition. There
was an opinion that the soul OF the de-
parted fingered near the body for a time
ana was conscious of any expression OF
sorrow, and that by release was found
to enter into the habitation of the de-
parted spirit. With the superstition there
was probably much genuine grief.
APPOINTED SUCCESSOR (verse a).
The death of Moses had been antici-
pated. One who came up from Egypt
with him. Joshua, the son of Nun had
been appointed to leadership Numb,
xxvii:1S) a year before and solemnly con-
secrated to the office by the imposition
of hands, which signified the transfer of
authority q Tim, iv:1D. Joshua had a
long ana varied training for the position.
lie commanded the military organization
as lieutenant, and his abilities were
displayed in the battle with Amalek
tE1., xvh:l3t. He had been in close rela
ton as minister or private secretary TO
Moses eek, xiv:13). He had been admit
ted to secret consultations in the taber-
nacle eek, xxxiii:1D. He was one Of the
spies VINO went to explore Canaan
leader disappeared upon whom all had
trusted SO long here stood the man ready
TO carry forward the work which the
other had laid down. He was full of the
spirit or wisdom, that special grace which
completed his equipment for service
(Dan.. vi:3). And Israel turned to him
with confidence.
INCOMPATIBLE PROPHET. Oversees
10. IL. 12).-Now comes the final esti-
mate Of Moses. which, rke~ an inscription
upon tombstone, forms the closing Sec
ton Of the last book. Brief, compre-
hensive and beautiful 1t is in three great
parts: First, He was a prophet, an in
spired teacher, one who gave Gods word
as he received it, prompted by the Holy
Ghost Oh Peter, i:2D OVERLOOKING with the
message. Second, He was superior to
any one who came after him to the time of
this writing, date unknown, although an
other like him Deut., xviii:15) was prom
ised at a later date. Third, he knew God
face to face, being admitted into the closest
intimacy of association and speech (Ex,
viii:3O) during the long period in which he
presided over the interests of his country
men. Fourth, that intimacy enabled him to
fill two offices successfully-frst as God s
representative at the court of Pharaoh by
signs and wonders, and second, as the spe-
cial agent to make known Gods judgments
to Israel If we gather up and put in one
sentence these five points we may write,
The Incompatible prophet, who conversed
with God, who administered Gods Will to
the Egyptians and the Israelites.'
CONCLUSION.--There is a place and
mission for every man, adapted to his tai
ents, appointed by the Almighty, a place
which should be prayerfully sought lActs.
iX:6 and conscientousy filled. 1t often
occurs that one Is cut short in his career
denied the privilege of completing what he
began, through some weakness or indiscre
ton. Nevertheless, for all true work well
done there is reward the lasting honor
due from posterity psalm, Xc:1D. The work
Of one prepares for tina. of those who come
after, SO that continuity and completeness
are secured by succession John. iv:3S).
After Moses came Joshua. Happy the man
who carries forward cause that another
may take up and continue q Chron., xxi: 90.
1t is well for every one to feel that he Is a
coworker with those who went before and
those who come after, for little time toll
ing at an unfinished task, obligated to toll
so that Gods purpose may not be frustrat-
ed nor Gods plan TiaIred but all may go
forward toward the far-off but unseen end
that lies in the eternal mind.