184 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



their smaller duties in the law, might be compared 

 to the cloud which continued to be their daily 

 guide in the wilderness, directing them when to 

 halt, and when to advance ; for the law was their 

 sure guide to lead them blameless through 

 the journey of life, could they but have been 

 obedient to it, and restrained their unruly and 

 stubborn dispositions. 



" But, perhaps," he continued, "there is not 

 any where in the history of man a stronger proof 

 of the corruption of his heart, and at the same 

 time of the perfect free will bestowed on him, 

 than in the simple facts recorded in the history 

 of the journey of the Israelites across the de- 

 sert ; when at the very time they were under the 

 immediate guidance of God, they so frequently 

 murmured and even rebelled against his com- 

 mands. Thus exercising their own will, notwith- 

 standing the threats and prohibitions, as well 

 as the promises, conveyed to them by Moses. 



44 The book of Numbers, you know, is so 

 called because it contains an account of the two 

 numberings of the people ; the first of which 

 took place in the second year after their depar- 

 ture from Egypt ; and the second, in the plains of 

 Moab, near the conclusion of their wanderings. 

 It comprehends about thirty-eight years; but 

 the principal historical events which it records 

 happened at the beginning or the end of that 

 period, such as, the death of Aaron, and 



