After the earnest inquiries to which such a meeting would lead, of their mutual health and welfare, Moses conducted them to his tent, and there gave his father-in-law a particular account of all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh, and to the Egyptians, for Israel's sake; of the difficulties and dangers which they had encountered on the way; and what deliverances they had obtained through the divine interposition.

Jethro expressed his great joy at the recital; and, breaking out into a pious ejaculation of thanksgiving, added, that now he knew that the Lord was greater than all gods, for that in the thing wherein the Egyptians had dealt proudly, in tyrannizing over his people, the Lord had shown himself superior to them and their false deities.

This first affecting interview was concluded by a solemn, religious ceremony, expressive of their gratitude to God, at the remembrance of his various acts of mercy towards them. Jethro, who was himself a priest, appeared before God with the burnt-offering and sacrifices; and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to partake with him of the sacred social feast which it was customary to make, on such occasions, of the peace-offerings. This devout worshipper of Midian has thus left an example on record, that is well worthy of imitation. Let those who enjoy the delight of a happy meeting, again to mingle the sympathies of friendship and domestic affection, after a season of

separation, not fail, while acknowledging the preserving goodness of God, to offer up their united tribute of thanksgiving to the Author of all their mercies.

The whole of the ensuing day was occupied by Moses, in hearing and deciding cases of dispute between the people. It is easy to conceive, that these would be numerous among such a vast multitude in their various intercourse with each other; especially if we may judge of the character of the Israelites, as it respects the performance of their duties to their fellow-men, from what we have seen to have been their conduct towards Moses, to whom they were under so many obligations, and still more towards God, their divine benefactor.

Jethro, observing the weighty and fatiguing cares that thus devolved upon his son-in-law, in his capacity of judge, in addition to all the others which he had to sustain, as leader and governor of the Israelites, expostulated with him on the subject. The reply of Moses shows how anxious he was to do his duty, and to lead his countrymen to do theirs. He told Jethro, that he found it necessary to perform this arduous service, because the people wished, through him, to ascertain the will of God, as the supreme authority in their concerns. "When they have a matter," said he, "they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God and his laws."

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'The thing that thou doest is not good," said

Jethro. "Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone." Each case demanded time, patient attention in hearing those who came before Moses, and often deliberate reflection in forming a right judgment.

Such a multiplicity of questions Jethro thought would exhaust his strength, as he had alone to decide them, and weary the patience of those who must of necessity wait long before they could be heard.

Jethro then advised him to take a course which, he said, would, in his opinion, insure the divine blessing. He recommended to Moses, indeed, still to be the medium of intercourse between Jehovah and the people, and to bring before the Lord, for decision, those matters which demanded such an appeal; while he was to promulgate and teach the divine ordinances and laws, and to point out to the Israelites their duties.

But for carrying this into effect, it was the further counsel of Jethro, that Moses should provide from among the people, able men, such as feared God, men of truth, and hating covetousness, and make them in their respective spheres, rulers of tens, of fifties, of hundreds, and of thousands. "And let them judge the people," said he, "at all seasons and it shall be that every grea alter

they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee." To this he added, that in case Moses should find such advice to be in accordance with the will of God, and follow it, it would greatly relieve both him and the people.

The whole tenor of this friendly counsel, on the part of Jethro, and the manner of giving it, is a fine illustration of his character. It shows him to have been a very intelligent, wise, conscientious, and modest man; one of sound discretion, yet not disposed to dictate; and especially careful to have the will of God ascertained, even if it should be found to contravene his own judgment.

Oh! that we had, at the present day, many such judicious and humble counsellors, as was the priest of Midian! It was not the first time, doubtless, that Moses had been benefited by his instructions. A long previous intercourse must have often furnished the occasions of receiving them. And, among the other striking providences which attended the leader of the Israelites, to prepare him for his high and arduous station, we cannot but notice that of his learning the lessons of practical wisdom from such a man as Jethro, while tending his flocks for forty years in the land of Midian.

After due deliberation, and prayer to God for guidance, Moses followed the advice of his father

in-law. As appears from a reference to the same transaction in the first chapter of Deuteronomy, he directed the people to take from among themselves the proper officers to rule over them, whom, after being thus chosen, he invested with the necessary authority, and superintended their proceedings.

Moses appreciated so highly the benefit of having Jethro with him, that he urged him strongly to remain, and connect himself with the Israelites. "We are journeying," said he, "unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you; come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel. Leave us not, I pray thee, forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee."

It by no means follows from the silence of the Scriptures on the subject, that Moses did not propose in the invitation which he gave to Jethro, to send for his family, that they also might take up their lot with the people of God. Jethro, however, felt it to be his duty to return, at that time, to his own home: which he did after taking an affectionate farewell of his son-in-law, his daughter, and his grandsons. That himself, his family and