bly of Egyptians and foreigners, who were induced to accompany them. A moderate estimate, including the old men, the women, and the children, would make the whole not less than two millions, or two millions and a half, of persons. There were, also, flocks and herds, even very much cattle. Some arrangement of this immense host, setting out on their journey, was absolutely necessary. To attempt it without a settled plan of movement, on such a track as they would have to take, and through such a desert as lay before them, would produce utter confusion and discomfiture. Moses was too sagacious a leader, to be guilty of such folly. He, doubtless, gave directions in season, and throughout the various residences of the Israelites, that they should assemble, as many as were able, at one point, and as speedily as possible, before taking their final departure. There they would be arranged, under suitable subordinate officers, for the great enterprise; and receive such general instructions as were needed for the preservation of order and safety. Rameses was probably the first and principal place of rendezvous. It is supposed, that it was one of the most considerable cities of Goshen, in the middle of the great valley into which the waters of the Nile flowed, at some distance east of this river; and about forty miles from what is now called Suez. at the northern extremity of the western arm of the Red Sea. There are, it is true different opinions, with regard to its location, but the above seems to be the one which is best sup. ported. On this supposition, it occupied the site of the modern Aboukeyshid. It is difficult for us to conceive the deep and thrilling interest which must have attended the assembling together of the Israelites at Rameses. Such an immense concourse, arriving, with anxious haste, in separate bands, one after another, from their respective portions of country, with their numerous flocks and herds, entering the city in different directions, and filling it and its environs to overflowing, was, in itself alone, a most novel and wonderful spectacle. What inquiries, and congratulations among former acquaintances and friends, long separated from each other, must have taken place. How many accounts of the affecting incidents that had just attended the leaving of their old homes, and their coming to Rameses. What an interchange of narratives and reflections, with regard to the various circumstances of their lot; the dealings of Providence with them; and especially the late miraculous interpositions of God in their behalf, in inflicting such tremendous judgments upon their oppressors, and in delivering them from their long and cruel bondage. And yet even all these recollections of the past, were soon lost in The great object their anticipations of the future. of their meeting; the journey which they were to take; the scenes that were before them; the carrying back of the bones of Joseph, of which Moses had the special charge, and probably, too, of those of the twelve sons of Jacob, (each tribe taking care of the remains of its own patriarch,) to the land of their fathers; the occupying of this land; and the unfolding there of the coming destinies of their nation, as year after year should roll by ;-these, and kindred topics filled their imaginations, and awakened their hopes and fears. What, too, must have been the emotions that agitated the breast, and the thoughts that crowded upon the mind of Moses, at this eventful moment. How deep and overwhelming his feelings of responsibility, as he viewed the mighty assemblage, and knew that all eyes and hearts were turned to him, as the leader of the momentous enterprise in which they had embarked. Nothing but a strong faith in God, and in his promises, could have sustained him. It did sustain him. He relied on the arm of Jehovah. He looked back at what had just past with grateful wonder. He looked above with a sure belief, that all needed guidance and strength would be given him. He looked forward with resolution and a cheerful confidence. His arrangements for the disposition of the people, with their flocks and herds, into convenient bands, or companies, so that order, regularity, and despatch might be preserved, were made as quickly as circumstances would permit. The proper officers were appointed and placed at their posts of observation and authority. The necessary orders were given. At length, the procession began to move, and, in a little while, the long line of these triumphant emigrants was in motion. There were two routes from Rameses to Pales tine. The more direct one lay along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The other, and the most circuitous, was by the head of the Red Sea and the desert of mount Sinai. It was this which Moses was directed to take with the Israelites. "God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea." After one day's march, a distance probably not exceeding fifteen miles, the Israelites pitched their tents, and encamped at Succoth. Succoth means, tents or tent-places, booths or tabernacles, and comes from a root signifying to hide, cover, defend. For here it was that the Israelites made temporary accommodations of the boughs of trees, and, in commemoration of the event, were commanded to keep the feast of tabernacles, annually, as a religious or dinance, through succeeding generations. Whether there was any ancient town called Succoth, is uncertain. No remains of such an one, in the desert, on the route from the Nile to Suez, are found at the present time. It probably was only a customary place of encampment; obtaining its name after that period, and so called in the Scriptures, from the booths, or tents, which the Israelites there erected. ९९ While halting here, they had a little time to get ready some food; though in a way which shows with how much urgency and haste they had to conduct all their movements. They baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual." Here, too, it is very probable that they were overtaken by some remaining parties of their countrymen, who had not reached Rameses in season, or who found it nearer, without going there, to join the main body at Succoth. Before leaving this their first encampment, Moses gave the Israelites another ordinance of God, as an additional and striking memorial of their departure from Egypt. It was to be observed when they had arrived in the land of Canaan, to remind them and their descendants of the most affecting incident attending this departure, the merciful interposition of the Almighty, in sparing their first-born during the |