INTRODUCTION. THE lives of distinguished persons, whether recorded for their mental abilities, the success that attended their plans, or being more immediately under the Divine control, for swaying the sceptre over a mighty nation, or for executing God's punishments, offer lessons of instruction which cannot be too often read, for they tend to establish and fortify the mind in principles which never fail to ennoble man. In the history of the human family its pages are often stained by crime so black, so foul, and so diabolical, that the mere mention of the deeds of some of its principal characters harrows up the feelings, and one is led to inquire, how is it that so much wickedness, hypocrisy, and cruelty, is permitted without immediate retribution? Unable as we are to solve the question, it is gratifying to find that history bears ample testimony to the fact, that however the wicked may succeed and riot in their wickedness, spreading misery and calamity around, they seldom close their earthly career without smarting under the retributive justice of God; then, destitute of inward comfort, and gnawed by remorse, they with Cain exclaim, "My punishment is greater than I can bear!" thereby leaving to all succeeding ages an admonitory lesson against the folly of being led captive by passions which they ought to have subdued. On the other hand, biography opens a rich mine ; B a mine in which there is little or no alloy. Many of its leading characters were the eminent of the earth, whose lives and deeds have been the means of benefiting the age in which they lived, and often succeeding ages, and the world at large. Narrowed by no selfish views, bounded by no limits, tied to no fraternity, they have gone forth in their might, diffusing knowledge, hurling from his height the oppressor, rescuing the oppressed, and disseminating laws and maxims which have been blessings continued from age to age. How apparent was this in the life of Moses, that eminent servant of God. The cruelty of Pharaoh brought forth all the amiable qualities of Moses, his meekness, his wisdom, his piety, and his valour. The ordinary mind can no more look at the heavenly qualities that Moses exemplified in his daily walk without feeling abashed, than the Israelites could gaze on him, on his descent from Mount Sinai, from the glory that emanated from his countenance. What we have said of Moses, with some limitation, may be said of all the Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Priests, Patriots, and Statesmen, in whom the fear of the Lord had been implanted. It was ever their delight to honour God; to maintain true religion; to serve their country; and to be benefactors to mankind. Their mode of procedure in the great work of national regeneration was most dissimilar, yet from apparently trivial causes, they effected glorious results. The ark of bulrushes was but a link in the Divine chain which brought Moses to confront Pharaoh, when he delivered his people from bondage; the virtue of Joseph raised him to be the second man in Egypt, and to become the saviour of nations; the piety of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, delivered one |