uble miraculously smoothed away, had naturally
been excited by their late adventure. Their song had exulted in the
prospect that their enemies should melt away, and be as still as a
stone. But their difficulties did not melt away. The road was weary.
They found no water. They were still too much impressed by the miracle
at the Red Sea, and by the mysterious Presence overhead, for open
complaining to be heard along the route; but we may be sure that
reaction had set in, and there was many a sinking heart, as the dreary
route stretched on and on, and they realised that, however romantic the
main plan of their journey, the details might still be prosaic and
exacting. They sang praises unto Him. They soon forgat His works. Aching
with such disappointments, at last they reached the waters of Marah, and
they could not drink, for they were bitter.

And if Marah be indeed Huwara, as seems to be agreed, the waters are
still the worst in all the district. It was when the relief, so
confidently expected, failed, and the term of their sufferings appeared
to be indefinitely prolonged, that their self-control gave way, and they
"murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?" And we may be
sure that wherever discontent and unbelief are working secret mischief
to the soul, some event, some disappointment or temptation, will find
the weak point, and the favourable moment of attack, just as the seeds
of disease find out the morbid constitution, and assail it.

Now, all this is profoundly instructive, because it is true to the
universal facts of human nature. When a man is promoted to unexpected
rank, or suddenly becomes rich, or reaches any other unlooked-for
elevation, he is apt to forget that life cannot, in any position, be a
romance throughout, a long thrill, a whole song at the top note of the
voice. Affection itself has a dangerous moment, when two united lives
begin to realise that even their union cannot banish aches and
anxieties, weariness and business cares. Well for them if they are
content with the power of love to sweeten what it cannot remove, as
loyal soldiers gladly sacrifice all things for the cause, and as Israel
should have been proud to endure forced marches under the cloudy banner
of its emancipating God.

As neither rank nor affection exempts men from the dust and tedium of
life, or from its disappointments, so neither does religion. When one is
"made happy" he expects life to be only a triumphal processio