Christ sent forth two and two before his face. And it is probable from the great

This tree is now called the Date.

"In Egypt the Date Tree is very lofty, and from the singular formation of its bark, it is as easy to ascend to the top of one of them, as to climb a ladder. Wherever the Date Tree is found in the dreary deserts of that country, it not only presents a supply of salutary food for men and camels, but nature has so wonderfully contrived the plant, that its first offering is accessible to man alone; and its presence is a never-failing indicative of water at the root. Botanists describe the trunk as full of rugged knots; the fact is, that it is full of cavities, exactly adapted to the reception of the human feet and hands; and these cavities are formed by the decay of the leaves, the stems of which are as thick as branches. It is impossible to view these trees without believing that He who in the beginning fashioned “every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed,” as “food for man," has here manifested one among the innumerable proofs of his benevolent design. The Date Tree is a curious subject for consideration. Many of the inhabi

tants of Egypt, Arabia and Persia, subsist almost entirely upon its fruit. They also boast of its medicinal virtues. Their camels feed upon the Date stones. From the leaves they make couches, baskets, bags, mats, and brushes; from the branches, cages for their poultry, and fences for their gardens; from the fibres of their boughs, thread, ropes, and rigging; from the sap is prepared a

multiplication of these trees, that the Psalmist alludes, when he says, "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon." O that we might sit, like Deborah, under the shadow of his wings, and that a portion of that light, life and comfort which he communicated to the twelve apostles, by which their doctrine and example not only assisted, but comforted and encouraged the Christian travellers, in their journey to that land of peace, may also refresh and invigorate us, as these twelve fountains did the Israelites in their way to the promised Canaan. that both the Jews and Gentiles may unite to sing the song of Moses, and the Lamb in the heaven of heavens; and may we with them bear our part in this glorious and eternal triumph.

So

spirituous liquour; and the trunk of the tree furnishes fuel. When the tree is grown to a size for bearing fruit, the leaves are six or eight feet long. The stems of the leaves are the only branches the tree has."

Dr. Edward Clark's Travels.

Journey VEL. v. 10.

And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red Sea, or Sea of Weeds.

HERE we see how the wonderful power and strength of the great I AM was forgotten, for we find them encamping by that Sea of Weeds where so many were consumed. How do fresh difficulties produce fresh murmurings; and how apt are we to distrust that Almighty Being when brought into straits, and how ungrateful to murmur or repine after we have been delivered from such great enemies of soul and body? May we by their error be instructed to join ourselves unto the Lord, in a perpetual covenant, that shall not be forgotten. (j) Blessed are they that join

(j) Jer. 50. 5.

themselves to the Lord; and taketh hold of his covenant, even that everlasting covenant, which God hath made with us in Christ; the new covenant, of which Jesus is the mediator, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (k)

(k) Isai. 56. 2, 6. Isai. 55. 3. Heb. 12. 14.

And they removed from the Red Sea, and encamped in the Wilderness of Sin.

It

SIN signifies a Thorn, Bush, &c. was here Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron for want of food. (See Exodus, c. 16.) Does not this afford us a striking proof that if they had not seen such wonderful miracles wrought in Egypt, they would not from their carnal state, have been easily persuaded to quit it? And can we wonder that it should be so, when we consider their long slavery therein? Their minds would become degraded, and their souls corrupted by the influence of sin, which is too frequently the case with slavery Here their fleshly appetite was a thorn in their flesh, for they wandered in the wilderness, in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. They spake against God; they said, Can God