CHAPTER III.

THE COMMAND AND THE CONFLICT.

"GO IN," said the SPIRIT, "speak unto Pharaoh, king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land." Moses felt his inefficiency: he knew the stubbornness of Pharaoh, and he replied, "Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumsized lips?"

And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them.

By miracles God proposed to reveal his power, and he said to Moses: "When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew us a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent."

It is because of the importance attached to this scene, the fulfillment of determination, the effort and partial success of the magicians to imitate the power of the Lord; the final victory,

obtained by the Children of Israel, and its analogy with modern events, that we are thus precise in introducing the history.

The two principles herein revealed, with their nature and effects, are now active in the world. One is heralding the doctrine of salvation through Jesus, the Savior; the other is seeking to counteract it, and to move the human mind by manifestations claimed equal to those offered in support of the Inspired Word.

According to command, "Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. And Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods." Ex. vii, 10-12.

Herein consists the Law, the Principle, the TEST, by which Scriptural doctrine is exalted to the Divine, and its opposite overcome. This power alone can demonstrate and confirm the superior nature of Bible religion, and render it worthy of its claims. If the christian Religion is truly of God, and the antagonistic spirit from perversion and evil, then it is capable of victory in every important test. To this we invite the reader's attention, as the principle herein in

volved is the great criterion connected with external manifestation. And we especially emphasize, because, when considering modern spirit manifestations we shall recur to it again.

As the spirit of the Lord gave commandment, the waters were turned into blood. And the magicians of Egypt did the same with their enchantments. "And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron stretch forth thine hand over the streams; and Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt." But the magicians failed to bring forth the loathsome parasitic insect. Neither could they imitate in the succeeding grievous plagues: nor stand before Moses.

At the command of the Lord, a fierce and destructive storm of hail came upon the land. For as "Moses stretched his hand toward heaven, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along the ground. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail smote throughout the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every

tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail." Ex. ix, 23-26.

This was the work of the Almighty. The materialist or magician, could turn water into blood, and entice frogs from their viscous pools, but could not give life, create the thunder tempest, cause the lightnings to leap from the clouds, mingle with the hail, and flash along the ground. And most of all, could not condense the tempest upon Goshen, spare the Egyptians and afflict the children of Israel. Presumptuous mortals! how frail their power! Envious spirit, how short his arm, and how soon subdued when Jehovah proceeded to execute his purposes.

When the magicians failed, and the judgments were heavy, Pharaoh was humbled, and entreated Moses to pray to God for mercies. But the blessings, when granted, were misimproved and converted to selfish ends, thereby his heart was hardened. And with determinate obstinacy he resisted until the Angel of destruction slew of the Egyptians the first-born throughout the land. “And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt: for there was not a house where there was not one dead. Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up and get you forth from among my peo

ple, both ye and the children of Israel; and go serve the Lord, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also." Thus, subdued, he hastened the people forth. Nevertheless, when it was told him that the children of Israel had truly fled, he made ready his chariot, and took warriors and pursued until lost with his host in the Red Sea; while Moses and Aaron with the released. captives stood upon the other shore and gave God thanks for their salvation.

Thus closed one of the most eventful scenes connected with the race of man, and in a manner to glorify and exalt that Divine Principle by which God's chosen people were distinguished and set apart for a special end. As the Lord had promised, Israel was taken from the power of their oppressors and led beyond the sea, in the way to Canaan, the land of Promise. And like victory has attended every important trial to this day, when God has been defied and his people faithful.