had hitherto done. Soon after Moses repaired to the tabernacle, which he had no sooner entered than it was surrounded by the cloudy pillar, which had so much assisted the Israelites in their departure from Egypt. This additional token of the divine wrath made the people particularly attentive to the motions of Moses; and therefore when he went out of the camp to the tabernacle they rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, looking after him till he had got in. And when they saw the cloudy pillar, which they knew was a token of God's presence, they all fell down and worshipped. While Moses was in the tabernacle he was visited by God, who permitted him, in a very familiar manner, to converse with him; which favor Moses improved to the advantage of the people, endeavoring, with the greatest importunity, to obtain a reconciliation between them and their justly offended God. A short time after this the Almighty commanded Moses to prepare two new tables of stone, like the former which he had broken, and to come up alone with them in the morning to Mount Sinai; "and I," said he, will write in those tables the words that were in the first.” Moses strictly obeyed this command, and, early in the morning, repaired to Mount Sinai with the two tables, where, prostrating himself before the divine Majesty, he with the greatest fervency besought him to pardon the sins of the people. The Almighty was pleased to listen to his request, at the same time promising that he would make a covenant with his people on these conditions: That they should keep his commandments; that they should not worship the gods of the Canaanites ; that they should make no alliances with the people of that country; that they should have no strange gods; and that they should strictly keep the sabbath, the passover, and other festivals ordained by the law. For forty days and nights did Moses at this time continue (as he had done before) on Mount Sinai, without either eating or drinking, at the expiration of which he returned to the people, bringing with him the two tables of the law. By the long converse he had held with God, his face had * The directions given at this time were the same with those which Moses received on his first going up to the mount; but, by reason of the contracted such a lustre that the people were not able to approach him; and therefore whenever he talked with them he covered his face with a veil, but took it off when he went into the tabernacle to receive the divine commands. Agreeably to the instructions Moses had received from God during his last stay on the mount, he called the people together, and informed them that it was the Lord's will to have a tabernacle built for the performance of religious worship; and that he had commanded him to speak to them to bring in their offerings, which were to consist of such articles as were necessary for accomplishing the work.* These offerings were not to be exacted, but the people were to present them voluntarily; and so desirous were they of making some atonement for their past sins, that they soon brought in more than was requisite, so that Moses was obliged to cause proclamation to be made to restrain their liberality. Having thus obtained a sufficient collection of all kinds of materials, Moses placed them in the hands of Bezaleel and Aholiab, the two great artists in building, whom God had before made choice of; and so expeditious were they in executing the work, that, in less than six months, the tabernacle, with all its rich furniture, was entirely completed; and of which the following is an accurate description : The tabernacle was formed somewhat like a tent, though much larger, and the whole was covered with curtains and skins. It was divided into two parts the one covered, and properly called the tabernacle; and the other open, called the court. The covered part was again divided into two other parts, one of which was called the "holy of holies," and the curtains belonging to it were made of embroidered linen of several colors. There were ten curtains, twenty-eight cubits long and four broad: five curtains together made the two coverings, and the other five, being joined to these, covered the whole tabernacle. Above the rest were two other coverings, the one of goat's hair, the other of sheep-skins. These veils or coverings were laid on a square frame of planks resting on bases. There were forty-eight large planks, each a cubit and a half wide and ten people's transgression in idolizing the calf, they were not then delivered to them. nacle by a curtain made fast to four pillars, | in length, and that on the east and west four standing ten cubits from the end. The cubits. whole length of the tabernacle was thirtytwo cubits; the upper curtain which hung on the north and south sides was eight cubits The court was a spot of ground a hundred cubits long and fifty in breadth, enclosed by twenty columns, each of them twenty cubits high and ten in breadth, covered with silver, and standing on copper bases five cubits distant from each other, between which there were curtains drawn and fastened with hooks. At the east end was an entrance twenty cubits wide, covered with a curtain hanging loose. The ark was in the sanctuary; it was a square chest made of shittim-wood, two cubits and a half long, and one cubit and a half wide and deep. It was covered with gold plates, and had a gold cornice which bore the lid. On the sides of it were rings, to put poles through to carry it. The covering was all of gold, and called the propitiatory or mercy-seat. There were two cherubims on it, which covered it with their wings; the tables of the law were in the ark, which was therefore called the ark of the testimony, or of the covenant. The table was made of cedar covered with gold, two cubits long, one in breadth, and one and a half in height. About the edge of it was an ornament; it stood on four feet, and had wooden bars plated with gold to carry it on. On it was laid the offering or show-bread (which was changed every day), six loaves at each end, with incense over them. It was not lawful for any but the priests to eat of that bread. The candlestick was of pure gold, had seven branches, three on each side and one Golden Candlestick. (From Photograph.) in the middle: each branch had three knobs like apples, and three sockets in the shape of half almond-shells: that in the middle had four. On each branch was a gold lamp, and there were gold snuffers and nippers to dress them. There were two altars: one for the burntofferings, five cubits long and wide, and three in height, with the figure of a seraphim at each corner. It was hollow, covered both within and without with brass plate, and open both at top and bottom. In the midst of it was a copper grate, standing on four feet, a cubit and a half high, and fastened with hooks and rings. On this grate were bound the offerings, for the performance of which there was every necessary article, such as kettles, ladles, tongs, hooks, &c. The altar for incense was but one cubit in length and breadth, and two cubits high. It was plated with gold, and over it was a crown of the same metal. This altar was in the sanctuary with the ark, but that for burntofferings was placed on the north side of the tabernacle. On a pillar in the court was a large copper basin, with several cocks for the water to run out, that those who ministered might conveniently wash their hands previous to the discharge of their priestly function. The vestments of the high-priest were, the breast-plate, the ephod, the robe, the close coat, the mitre, and the girdle. The ephod, the robe, and the close coat, were of fine linen, and covered the whole body from the neck to the heels. Over all was a purple tunic, a vestment larger and finer wrought, but not reaching so low, the bottom of which was ornamented with the representation of pomegranates and bells. The ephod consisted of two bands made of gold thread, and fastened to a kind of collar which hung down both before and behind from each shoulder, and, meeting, served as a girdle to the tunic or vestment. On the shoulders were two large precious stones, which joined the front and hind parts of the ephod, and on them were marked the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, six on each. The breastplate was made of 'the same materials as the ephod, to which it was fastened with gold chains. It was a square ornament, very thick, and covered the whole breast. girdle was likewise made of the same materials with the ephod. The mitre was made of fine flax, and covered the head; and in the front was a gold plate, on which were carved these words: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. These were the solemn ornaments belonging to the high-priest: the others were only a simple tunic or vestment, a linen mi The tre, and a girdle. They had all garments made of linen and cotton, which were fastened at the waist, whence they reached down to about the middle of the legs. Such was the form of the tabernacle, and such the vestments appointed for the highpriest; the whole of which, as soon as completed, was presented to Moses for his inspection and approbation Having viewed them attentively, and found that all was done as the Lord had commanded, he first praised God, and then bestowed his benediction on the people, for having so diligently attended to the divine injunction. All things being now ready, on the first day of the first month,* in the second year * MONTH, a space of four weeks, or the period of the revolution of the moon. Gen. xxix. 14. The Israelites reckoned their time by months, of which they had two series: one for civil purposes, commencing the year in their month Ethanim, the seventh of the sacred year (1 Kings viii. 2), computing from the creation of the world, and answering to our September; the other for their after the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, the tabernacle was, by God's immediate command, set up, and all its rich furniture disposed in the proper places that had been appointed. But no sooner was this done, than the pillar of the cloud (which is called the Glory of the Lord) covered the whole, so that Moses himself, for some time, was not able to enter it. The Almighty, at length, promising Moses to enter the tabernacle, gave him instructions (which he communicated to the people) in what manner (according to this new institution) he was to be worshipped by sacrifices and oblations; what festivals were to be observed, and how celebrated; what meats were sacred purposes in their festivals, commencing the year in their month Abib, the seventh of the civil year, computing from the redemption from Egypt (Exod. xii. 2-18, xiii. 4), and answering to our March. The following table exhibits the order of the Jewish months, with the principal religious festivals of the Israelites and Jews: forbidden; what the instances of uncleanness | a basin, and with it the priest was to sprinkle were; and what the degrees of consanguini- the vessels and corners of the altar, throwing ty prohibited in marriage. The creatures appointed to be offered in sacrifice were of five sorts, namely, oxen, lambs, goats, doves, and young pigeons, all of which were to be males and without blemish. The person who presented the offering was to do it at the altar, laying his two hands on the head of the creature, and then cutting its throat. The blood was to be received in the principal part at the foot of it. The victim was to be flayed, cut in pieces, and laid on the altar, where, either the whole, or some part of it (according to the several sorts of sacrifice), was to be burnt. Libations were likewise added to the sacrifices. All the wine, or flour, offered with the victims, was called effusion, or pouring out. There was to be also a separate PROBABLE FORM OF THE TABLE OF SHOW-BREAD (AFTER BERNARD LAMY). PRIESTS REMOVING THE OLD, AND PLACING THE NEW. offering of fine flour and oil, baked on an iron, or in a pan, and sprinkled with oil and frankincense. The sacrifices were of four sorts, namely, 1. The burnt-offering, every part of which was to be consumed by fire on the altar, after washing the feet and entrails. 2. The peace-offering, of which only the inward fat or tallow was to be burnt on the altar, made up with the liver and kidneys, and the tails of the lambs. The breast and the right shoulder belonged to the priests, the rest to him who offered the sacrifice. 3. The sacrifice of sin, committed either wilfully or ignorantly. In this the priest was to take some of the blood of the victim, dip his finger in it, and sprinkle seven times toward the veil of the sanctuary. The same parts of the victim were to be burnt on the altar in this as in the former sacrifice; the rest, if the sacrifice was offered for the sin of the high-priest, or for the people, was to be carried without the camp to be burnt there, with the skin, the head, the feet, and the bowels. If it was for a private person, the victim was to be divided, one half to the |