might serve the
Egyptians?

And yet these men had lately, for the very promise of so much
emancipation as they now enjoyed, bowed their heads in adoring
thankfulness. As it was their fear which now took the form of
supplication, so then it was their hope which took the form of praise.
And we, how shall we know whether that in us which seems to be religious
gladness and religious grief, is mere emotion, or is truly sacred? By
watching whether worship and love continue, when emotion has spent its
force, or has gone round, like the wind, to another quarter.

How did Moses feel when this outcry told him of the unworthiness and
cowardice of the nation of his heart? Much as we feel, perhaps, when we
see the frailties and failures of converts in the mission-field, and the
lapse of the intemperate who have seemed to be reclaimed for ever. We
thought that perfection was to be reached at a bound. Now we think that
the whole work was unreal. Both extremes are wrong: we have much to
learn from the failures of that ancient church, in which was the germ of
hero, psalmist, and prophet, which was indeed the church in the
wilderness, and whose many relapses were so tenderly borne with by God
and His messenger.

The settled faith of Moses, and the assurances which he could give the
agitated people,[26] contrast nobly with their alarm. But his confidence
also had its secret springs in prayer, for the Lord said to him,
"Wherefore criest thou unto Me? speak unto the children of Israel that
they go forward."

The words are remarkable on two accounts. Can prayer ever be out of
place? Not if we mean a prayerful dependent mental attitude toward God.
But certainly, yes, if God has already revealed that for which we still
importune Him, and we are secretly disquieted lest His promise should
fail. It is misplaced if our own duty has to be done, and we pass the
golden moments in inactivity, however pious. Christ spoke of men who
should leave their gift before the altar, unpresented, because of a
neglected duty which should be discharged. And perhaps there are men who
pray for the conversion of the heathen, or of friends at home, to whom
God says, Wherefore criest thou unto Me? because their money and their
faithful efforts must be given, as Moses must arouse himself to lead the
people forward, and to stretch his wand over the sea.

And again the forces of nature are on the side of God: the strong wind
makes the depths of the sea a way for the