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appalling dangers, should they occur, but from the worst of all evils-sin, and the temptations which lead to it.

If you live, you will have your difficulties and trials. You may have had them already. The world is full of them. You will find that you need support. You may be hemmed in by such difficulties and trials, and see no way of escape. Remember the Israelites of old. God appeared for their deliverance. He can appear for yours. He can appear for you, in the most trying of all the scenes which are yet to await you, in the hour of death. Then, when flesh and heart shall fail you, he can be the strength of your heart, and your portion for ever. He will thus afford you every consolation and aid which are best for you, in life; he will thus sustain you, in your dying hour, if you go to him, through Christ, and put your trust in him. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help; whose hope is in the Lord his God.

CHAPTER XXΙΙΙ.

The Israelites pass through the Red Sea. The destruction of the Egyptians.

The Egyptians had doubtless seen the peculiar position of the Israelites, and felt secure of victory. Their hurried and fatiguing pursuit needed a short respite. They halted and encamped, before commencing the intended attack. What was their surprise, to see the strange and wonderful pillar of the cloud, floating sublimely round the camp of the Israelites, and overshadowing it on the side where they expected soon to rush down upon them! It filled them with amazement. They gazed, and wondered to know what the prodigy portended. There it stood, an immense column, rising high towards heaven, between the camp of the Egyptians and that of the Israelites.

Towards the former, it presented the aspect of thick and gloomy darkness, heightening the deep obscurity which the approaching night was beginning to cast on all surrounding objects. To the latter it had a luminous side, shedding a bright and cheerful light, and enabling them to make their hasty and momentous movement clearly and expeditiously. Such a barrier did the God of Israel in terpose between his chosen people and their ene mies! Such miraculous aid, at this critical juncture. did he afford them, in providing the means which were necessary for their deliverance !

Moses had made the arrangements, and now gave out the orders, for marching forward, and crossing the sea, which lay at no great distance before them. The Israelites were, probably, apprised of the manner in which this was to be effected. At any rate, they had confidence in their leader, and a persuasion that the Almighty was about, in some way, to appear for their rescue.

The necessary preparations being completed with all possible despatch, the whole body was in motion; men and women; fathers, mothers, and children; the old and the young; with their flocks and herds, marching in the stillness of midnight, (though it was no night to them,) away from their enemies, to the single avenue which was left for their escape. And this became such an avenue, as we shall see, only by the miraculous interposition of the God of their fathers.

A short interval of time brings them to the borders of the Red Sea. They make a momentary pause. Its deep waters stretch far away before them, and seem to present an impassable obstacle to their progress. All eyes fasten on their leader, who is in advance of them. He has no hesitation with regard to what he is to do, nor want of unshaken confidence in God. While the anxious multitude stand in mute expectation, he obeys the simple injunction, fully believing what the result will be. He moves his outstretched hand, with the mysterious rod in it, over the sea. A strong east wind, sent by the Almighty to execute his purpose, rises at the same time, and blows strongly across the waters. On a sudden they divide, "and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left." The bed of the sea appears between them. It is speedily made dry and firm by the wind passing so briskly and powerfully over it. The command is given, and, lost in amazement at the sight, the Israelites pass through the walls of water, on their right hand, and on their left, and reach the opposite shore in safety. What a scene of wonders! What a stupendous miracle! What a display, before the eyes of his chosen people, of the power and protection of the Almighty! We should think, it would never be forgotten by them, and that it would so establish their confidence in God, and their gratitude for so signal a mercy, that they would never after distrust or disobey their Deliverer.

The Egyptians had become aware of the movement of the Israelites from their camp, and hastened to overtake them. What must have been their astonishment, as they approached the borders of the sea, to find a passage open for them also through its waters, and to perceive, from the traces which were left upon its bottom, that those of whom they were in pursuit, had just passed over before them. They rushed impetuously forward, and went in quite "to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen."

The latter part of the night had arrived, and the break of day was advancing. Jehovah looked down upon Pharaoh and his host, through the pillar of fire and of the cloud. The side of it that was next to them, flashed fearfully with bright and dazzling coruscations, which broke so suddenly upon the thick darkness of the night, as to terrify both the horses and men, and throw them into inextricable confusion. Riders were dismounted; chariots dashed together, losing their wheels, and dragging heavily along; while many were upset, and some broken to pieces.

Horses were rushing wildly in every direction, and trampling those who had lately had the control of them under foot. No voice of authority could restore order. Officers and soldiers, Pharaoh and his commanders, were alike horror-struck; and one universal thrill of panic and dismay pervaded the host of the Egyptians.

The Psalmist, describing this scene, in a devotional address to the Most High, says, that, in the midst of its awful terrors, "the clouds poured out

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