arrived in which he could take ample vengeance for all his wrongs. Believing their escape to be impossible, he encamped with his army behind the Israelites, waiting only the approaching day to attack and put them to the sword. But his career was now verging rapidly to its close. That remarkable pillar, which accompanied the Children of Israel in their flight, was by day a cloud only, to convince them of the presence of their great deliverer. This cloud, which was also a fire by night, placed itself between the two encampments, and involved the Egyptian host in impenetrable darkness, while it communicated sufficient light to enable Moses and the Israelites to pursue their destination. By the divine command Moses stretched out his rod over the sea, and a strong EAST WIND arose, which divided the waters, so that the Israelites marched through the sea on dry land, Moses leading the way and exhorting them not to fear; for, said he, "the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more for ever."*

The Egyptian army followed their course amidst the darkness, furious as the tempest which tears down all that impedes its progress; rapid as the cataract pouring down its waters from the summit of a lofty mountain, determined either to compel

* Exod. xiv. 13.

them to return, or utterly to destroy them; and knew not their danger until they were all inclosed within the waters; for the waves, on the right hand and on the left, were invisible, from the effects of that divine cloud which overshadowed them. At length their chariot wheels were encumbered by the mud at the bottom of the sea, so that they "drave heavily;" which, obstructing the general movements of the soldiers, reduced the whole army into confusion. In this situation the cloud was removed, the morning light appeared, and they beheld the threatening waves ready to burst upon them, and the Israelites safe on the opposite shore. They were allowed but little time to deliberate on the means of escaping the calamitous death which they saw suspended over their heads. They fled; but what could flight accomplish for so unwieldy a body of chariots, horses, and footmen, incumbered with armour; their ranks broken, their chariot wheels entangled with each other, and forcibly wrested off, and themselves paralyzed with confusion and dismay! Harassed by a long and expeditious march, after three days spent without rest or refreshment, and alarmed at the dreadful appearances before them, to augment which the heavens sent forth all their artillery of thunder, lightning, and rain,* their

* Ps. lxxvii. 18.

escape was altogether impracticable. Besides all this, the Lord looked upon them in anger, and infused a deadly fear into their hearts, which made them irresolute and wavering; until Moses, who saw the Israelites in safety, and all the host of the Egyptians inclosed beyond the power of escaping, stretched his rod again over the sea, and God, by a strong WEST WIND, suddenly brought the waters upon them with irresistible impetuosity, which utterly overwhelmed and destroyed them, with their horses, and chariots, and horsemen ; "and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore."*

* Exod. xiv. 30.

PERIOD V.

CHAP. ix.

ON THE FIVE POINTS OF FELLOWSHIP.

IN In every well regulated society, some bond of union, some reciprocal and mutual interchange of benefits forms a distinguishing feature, which no vicissitude of circumstances can remove. Masons profess to be united in an indissoluble chain of sincere affection, called the five points of fellowship; by which, when strictly adhered to, they are bound heart and hand so firmly, that even death itself cannot sever the solemn compact, because in another and more glorified state those relations are perceived and acknowledged, which have characterized the union here on earth. These five points refer to certain virtues requisite to be practised in this world in order to the enjoyment of happiness in a future state, and mark distinctly the difference between virtue and vice.

1. BROTHERLY LOVE.

The first point is that on which all the rest principally depend, for they are but emanations

from the great virtue of charity or brotherly love.

Brotherly love is an active principle, which encloses all mankind in the same bond of reciprocal union, however they be otherwise diversified by birth, climate, or education. The inhabitants of this globe proceed from a common parent, and hence, how remote soever the connection may appear, all mankind are brothers, and as such are bound to execute the duties attached to this tender and endearing relation. This general relationship is not broken by distance, climate, form, or language; but all the world are brethren, and the hand of mercy ought to be extended equally to the destitute stranger, as to an immediate friend or relation. Nay, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, are superior objects of man's benevolence. Masonry inculcates love to the human species as the certain indication of uprightness; it teaches that without this love we are nothing. Though we speak with the tongues of men and angels; though we have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge; though we have faith so that we could remove mountains; though we bestow all our goods to feed the poor, and though we give our bodies to be burned, if we are not possessed of brotherly love, or charity, all this extent of power, all these acquirements of knowledge, will

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