DIALOGUE VII.

JOSHUA-PASSAGE OF THE JORDAN

-JERICHO.

Ellen. Mamma, will you be so good as to tell me now about Joshua's leading the children of Israel after the death of Moses?

Mamma. I will presently do so, my dear child, but first I wish to tell you one or two other things relating to Moses himself. Do you remember my saying once to you that what I had been relating to you was contained in a part of the Bible called Genesis, and that Moses was the writer of that book?

Ellen. I dare say, Mamma, you told me, but I have forgotten it.

Mamma. You must try and remember what I tell you. But if you are not always able to do so, you must not be discouraged, for as you get older you will not find so much difficulty in fixing your attention. The book of Genesis ended with the death of Joseph, and all that I have been relating to you since that event is written in four other

books of the Bible, called Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These four books, as well as Genesis, were written by Moses, who was inspired by God; that is, particularly assisted by him. Therefore we may be sure that every thing written in them is perfectly true, and fit for our use and benefit. The five books of Moses are called the Pentateuch. This is a hard sounding word to you and me, because it is not one in our language; it means five books in the Greek, and it is used in English to signify the five books of Moses. The five books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Say them after me, and endeavour to recollect them in their order.

Ellen. Genesis,-Exodus,-Leviticus,-Numbers,-Deuteronomy.

Mamma. Very well;-now, listen attentively, and I will try and explain to you the meaning of these words. Which is the first book?

Ellen. Genesis, Mamma.

Mamma. Genesis comes from a Greek word

called generation.

Ellen. And what is the meaning of generation, Mamma?

Mamma. A generation means a family, or race

of men, existing in the world about the same time. You, and your cousin

and

and

are of the same generation; your Papa and Mamma, and their Papas and Mammas are of the generation before you; and your children, if you should ever have any, and your cousins' chil; dren, will belong to another generation. So that generation after generation have been born and died, and have been succeeded by others, from the beginning of the world down to the present time. The book of Genesis contains the history of the creation of the world, and of Adam the first man; and after him all the generations or families of men down to Joseph; and that is the reason why it is called Genesis. Do you under

stand me?

Ellen. I think I do, Mamma.

Mamma. Now tell me which is the second

book of Moses.

Ellen. Exodus.

Mamma. The word Exodus means going out. It contains the history of the going out of the Israelites from Egypt, after their long captivity there; and, therefore, is called the Exodus, or the going out.

Ellen. I understand that, Mamma, very well. The third book is Leviticus.

Mamma. You have not heard yet a great deal of the contents of that book. It is called Leviti. cus from the Levites, who were the sons of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, or Israel. They were appointed by God to serve at the altar, and to be, as I have before told you, to the Israelites, what our clergymen are to us. The book of Leviticus consists chiefly of directions for the Levites, and at present is not one the most likely to be useful to you. What is the fourth book called? Ellen. Numbers, Mamma.

Mamma. It is so called because it contains the account of the numbering of the children of Israel; that is, Moses was twice directed to number them, or count how many they amounted to; and the account of this numbering occupies a great part of the book of Numbers.

Ellen. I have not heard a great deal out of this book, Mamma, have I?

Mamma. Not a great deal; that is, not so much as out of Genesis and Exodus. Can you tell me the name of the fifth book?

Ellen. Deuteronomy. What is the meaning of that, Mamma?

Mamma. Deuteronomy means a repetition, or saying again of the law. In the book of Exodus

the law, or the commandments, were given to the Israelites; and in order to impress them more strongly upon the people, Moses, before his death, repeated them in the ears of the people, and from this circumstance the fifth book of Moses was called Deuteronomy. The next book in the Bible is called Joshua, because it contains the history of Joshua, with which we will now proceed.

Soon after the death of Moses, God was pleased to direct Joshua to move onwards to the land of Canaan, of which the children of Israel were now about to take possession. He also gave him directions how to proceed, and exhorted him to be strong and of a good courage, and promised to be with him and assist him in all his proceedings.

Ellen. Did the people do as Joshua directed them, Mamma, and behave better than they did to Moses?

Mamma. During the time that Joshua led the people, we do not hear of so many instances of disobedience as disgraced them while wandering in the wilderness. But they had now little to try them, for they were already within sight of the promised land, and God now signified his will that they should proceed and take possession of it. For this purpose Joshua was directed to