principal towns and fortresses, and the general state of cultivation in which the laud appeared. Having spent forty days in making their observations, they returned to the camp of Israel, at Kadesh, and after producing some of the fruits of the country, they proceeded to report the result of their observations. In the first part of their statement they all agreed in declaring, that the fertility of the land was fully equal to the expectations which had been entertained, and that it was in fact, precisely the kind of country which God had promised to bestow upon them. But as to the remainder of their instructions, they were not so unanimous ten out of the twelve stated, that the difficulties which were to be encountered were too formidable for them to expect success; that the fortifications were remarkably strong, and well garrisoned; that the inhabitants were a hardy and warlike race, that many of them exceeded the ordinary growth of the human stature, and that in their judgment, nothing could be expected from hostilities with them, but defeat and disgrace.

A report of this nature was productive of the most injurious consequences. The people, in general, were much addicted to a fretful peevish murmuring disposition. On hearing the abovementioned statement they uttered loud complaints against Moses and Aaron, expressed their regret that they had not ended their days in Egyptian bondage, or at least during some former part of their journey in the wilderness. They even arraigned the Divine conduct, and were ready to

break out into open mutiny. Moses and Aaron were deeply affected at this fresh instance of their rebellion and ingratitude, they fell prostrate before the whole assembly to deprecate the divine vengeance which they feared would be speedily manifested against the people.

In this dilemma Caleb and Joshua were the only two who continued faithful to the trust reposed in them. They endeavoured to convince the people that however powerful their enemies were in appearance, there was in reality no room for apprehension as to the result; they warned them against manifesting a spirit of rebellion aud mutiny against God, and urged them to obedience to the divine commands and confidence in the divine protection, and assured them they had every reason to hope for an easy as well as a certain conquest.

It might have been expected that such considerations as the above would have produced a salutary effect upon the mind of the people, but the bulk of the Israelites manifested, at this period, precisely the same disposition which the wicked in every age are prone to discover. How often do the ministers of Christ in particular meet with obloquy, reproach, and persecution from those very persons to whom they are offering the most salutary advice. How often is it needful for them to address their hearers in the words of the Apostle: " Am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth." And how often have pious parents been exposed to the scoffs and in

sults

sults of ungodly children when they have manifested a real concern for their best interests, by warning them against temptations, and pointing out to them the true the only way to honor and happiness. Should any of our readers be found among such characters, we will indulge the hope that the reading of these remarks will not be altogether unprofitable, and that the good effects thereby produced, will be visible in their futureconduct.

Incredible as it may appear, Caleb and Joshuainstead of receiving the thanks of the assembly,. for their noble and patriotic conduct, were put in immediate hazard of their lives, and probably they would have fallen a sacrifice to the fury of an ungovernable mob, had not the Lord interposed at the critical moment to vindicate their reputation, to reward their fidelity, and to punish all those who were against them.

The divine procedure, on this occasion, was marked with that wisdom and equity which are inseparable from the divine nature. Those who were the original occasion of the mutiny were immediately selected as the proper objects of speedy and condign punishment-they were suddenly cut off by a plague from God, to mark his abhorrence of the enormity of their guilt. "The men which Moses sent to search the land, who returned and made all the congregation to murmur against them, by bringing up stander upon the land: even those men that did bring up the evil. report died by the plague before the Lord." But Caleb

Y. 2

Caleb and Joshua were not only preserved alive, but commended of God, who gave them an assurance that they should live to enter into the good land, and take possession of it, which they accordingly did, as we shall see in the sequel.

As to the residue of the people, it was denounced to them, that on account of their ingratitude and unbelief, they should wander about in the wilderness for the space of forty years, and that not one of them should enter the promised land. Also, their children (whom they had imagined would become a prey to their adversaries) should possess the country which they themselves had despised. Every part of this awful denunciation was punctually inflicted by him who hath said "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (To be Continued.)

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

QUESTION 1.-What is it to be saved? It is to be delivered from the love of the world, and the love of sin; to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and brought into the love of God. By nature we are born in sin, and children of wrath ;' estranged from God; lovers of pleasure, more than lovers of God. To be saved, is to become new creatures; there is a new creation, whereby we become the reverse of what we were before. Hence we read in the Holy Scriptures, that those who were saved, had been formerly alienated' from

God,

God, and enemies in their minds,' manifested by wicked works,' but that they were then reconciled.' Thus the apostle, ' If any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.' To be in Christ and to be saved are one and the same thing; hence to be saved is to undergo an inward change; a full and entire change of thoughts, affections, desires, &c. a conversion from the world and sin, to God, and things spiritual and divine. To be saved, is to be delivered from the power of sin. Naturally we are 'carnal, sold under sin;' enslaved to sin, and under the power of Satan;' the prince of the power of the air,' whose seat our heart is; here he sets up his kingdom, rules, and reigns; working his own will in the children of disobedience.' To be saved, is to be delivered from this kingdom of Satan, his rule and authority, ' to be brought from the power of Satan unto God,' to be translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son; it is to have the kingdom of Satan in the heart thrown down, and the kingdom of God, a kingdom of righteousness,' set up in its place: it is to have the Spirit of God dwelling in the heart. Before, sin reigned and grace strove; now grace reigns and sin strives. We are 'made free from the law of sin and death,' Sin has no longer dominion over us, but now, being made free from sin, and become servants to God, we have our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.' To be saved, is to be delivered from the practice of sin. He that loves sin, and is under the power of sin, is its

willing