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At this time an enumeration was also made of the Levites, by the divine direction, including every male from a month old and upward; the whole number of which was twenty-two thousand. A subsequent enumeration of those who were between the ages of thirty and fifty, showed that there were eight thousand five hundred and eighty, who were able to take an active part in the peculiar services which that tribe rendered.

Moses was then ordered to number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel, from a month old and upward. They amounted to two hundred and seventy-three more than the whole number of males among the Levites of the same age. They were hallowed to the Lord. He claimed them as his own, and for his peculiar service. As there were no substitutes for them among the Levites, he directed Moses to have them redeemed by the payment of five shekels for each, so that they might be retained by their parents, and act under their direction. The redemption-money was to be paid to Aaron and his sons, as one of the means of their support. For in this way; and by the tithes; the offerings; their share of the sacrifices, the fleece always belonging to them; a part of the wool when sheep were shorn, and of animals when killed for use; the right to the first-born of unclean animals, and to the first fruits of trees and of the earth; and from a few other sources,-the

priests and the Levites, with their families, were maintained.

Provision, also, was made by the divine direction, when the Israelites should take possession of the promised land, for the residence of the tribe of Levi, by allowing them forty-eight cities, with a very considerable extent of land around them for their use; thirteen of which cities were to belong to the priests.

It was indispensable that the priests and Levites should be thus comfortably supported, while discharging their many, laborious duties, for they received no lands of inheritance in Canaan, as all the other tribes did, being separated from them for the peculiar service of the Lord.

Promulgation was made by Moses, at this time, of certain other ordinances, respecting the removal from the camp of unclean and diseased persons ; restitution in case of fraud; offerings of holy things ; the bitter waters of jealousy; the Nazarite and his vow; and the form of blessing the people by Aaron and his sons.

Among these various and important transactions, there was one which must not be passed over in silence. Offerings of great value were presented by the princes of Israel, the heads of the house of their fathers, and princes over the different tribes, for the service of the tabernacle, and as sacrifices to the Lord.

They first brought six covered wagons, and twelve oxen, which Moses was directed by the Lord to accept, and give to the Levites according to the nature of the duties that they had to perform. Thus, two wagons and four oxen only were given to the Gershonites, with which to convey the curtains, coverings, and hangings of the tabernacle; for although these articles were cumbersome, they were light while the Merarites, who had a much heavier load to carry, the boards, bars, pillars and sockets, received, for their share, four wagons and eight oxen.

The Kohathites had none; because they were required to bear upon their shoulders, the sacred things which it was their lot to carry.

Other offerings were also made. They were for the dedicating of the altar. Twelve successive days were occupied in presenting them; each prince, as the representative of the tribe over which he had authority, bringing them before the altar, as gifts and sacrifices to the Lord.

came.

His

On the first day, Nahshon of Judah offering was a large silver charger, (a dish or deep bowl,) and a smaller silver bowl; both of which were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meatoffering a golden spoon full of incense: one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering: one kid of the goats for a sinoffering and for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, two

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oxen, five rams, five he-goats, and five lambs of the

first year.

The other princes came, in their turn; each bringing his offering on their respective days, and each being like that which has just been described.

It seems to have been a national tribute of gratitude to God; and a public acknowledgment, by the sacrificial offerings, of the dependence of the Israelites on his mercy for the pardon of sin, and procuring the divine favor, through a future and prefigured Redeemer.

The Lord now has need of richer and more abundant offerings; not, indeed, the blood of the beast slain in sacrifice, (for the great propitiatory sacrifice has, once for all, been offered up,) but the willing tribute of the heart; the service of the head, the tongue, and the hands; the liberal contribution of the gold and the silver; in promoting the cause of his Son, our Saviour, throughout the world. Temples to him must be erected in every land, and altars dedicated in every heart. The ministry of his word, and the missionaries of the cross, must be sent forth in increasing numbers, and sustained in their labors. The Sacred Oracles must be pubhshed, and distributed to the millions who are yet The work is a vast one. The destitute of them. means needed for its accomplishment are vast also. The rulers and the people, the old and the young, you and I, are called upon for our offerings. They

should be cheerfully and bounteously made. Shall we dare to refuse them?

CHAPTER XLIV.

The departure from Sinai. General features of the regions between Sinai and Canaan.

Moses again went into the tabernacle, and "heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat, that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims." It was the voice of God, giving him some additional directions concerning the service of the tabernacle, and a command for the consecration of the Levites.

This command was immediately carried into ef fect. The Levites, having been sprinkled with the water of purifying, performed the ceremonial ablutions which were required, and taking with them their offerings, were brought by Moses before the tabernacle. The whole assembly of the children of Israel were convened, to have a part in the solemnity. Certain persons, selected for the purpose as the representatives of the people, placed their hands.