But did not Gehazi gain a great deal of money by his lying? Yes, but it did him no good. For though he gained the money of Naaman, he had it with his dreadful affliction. For he went out from his master's presence, a leper as white as snow.

There is nothing gained here or hereafter by lying. A lie cannot be hid. And God has told us, that all liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone

STORY XIII.

WHAT MOSES SAW JUST BEFORE HE DIED FROM MOUNT PISGAH.

MOSES was the servant of God, and

the lawgiver of Israel.

He was a very

great, and a very good man.

He lived a long while; for he was a

hundred and twenty years old when he died; and then his eyes were not dim, nor was his natural strength abated.

He was not taken ill, as people usually are, before they die. No. God bade him go up to a mountain called Nebo; and to climb to a point of it, which was named Pisgah. And he did as God told

him.

And God shewed him the beautiful land of Canaan, which he designed to give to his people, flowing with milk and honey; he saw it from one end to the other, and then he died.

No doubt, Moses was pleased with the sight; it must have been a very fine one. But the great God opened to the eyes of his mind, a more beautiful country, compared with which, the land of Canaan, with all its abundance and riches, was but a desert.

And what land could this be? there is none on earth fairer. there is not,-but this land is earth, it is in heaven.

Surely

O no, not on

He saw that blessed world where there is no sorrow, because there is no sin. There, the inhabitant never saith "I am sick!" No anxious care distracts any bosom. Those who live there, are everlasting strangers to all that can pain them.

MOUNT PISGAH.

35

He saw that delicious Paradise, where the tree of life flourishes, which brings forth the fruits of immortality, and whose very leaves are for the healing of the nations: where the living streams, clear as crystal, proceed perpetually from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

He saw the delightful region, into which death has never been permitted to

enter.

He beheld that glorious country, where all the friends of Jesus are to dwell together, in holy and happy society, for ever: where the great God is seen in his glory, and there is no want of any more eternally.

I do not wonder, then, that Moses was so willing to die; the very thought of this blessed land, is enough to make one long, as David did, for the wings of a dove, to fly away to it, and be at rest for ever.

STORY XIV.

WHAT A WISE KING ASKED OF GOD.

WHEN King Solomon began his reign he offered a great many sacrifices to the Lord, and humbly sought his favor and friendship. This was doing as he ought.

We begin life well, when we begin it with God. And so, when we begin any business, if we begin it with God, we begin it well, but not otherwise.

We should acknowledge God in all our ways, and then we may expect that he will direct our paths.

And

And so, the great God appeared to Solomon in a dream, by night, and said "Ask what I shall give thee!" Solomon said, "O Lord my God; thou hast made thy servant king, instead of David my father; and I am but a little child. And thy servant is in the midst of a great people. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad." And God was pleased, that Solomon had asked wisdom to do good to his people, and to glorify his

WHAT SOLOMON ASKED OF GOD. 87

holy name; and not riches or long life, or the life of his enemies.

And God heard his prayer, and gave him a wise and an understanding heart, so that there was no king like to him either before or since. And besides wisdom, the Lord gave him very great honors, and riches, and pleasures. God will ever honor those who honor him.

But does he not say to each of us, Ask what I shall give thee? Yes, he does. We may hear his voice in his holy word. And what should we ask? I know what I will ask.

I will ask him, to give me a heart to know him. Many people have heard about him, and have read of him, who have not a heart to know him; and so, though they profess to know him, they do not admire him, they do not love him, nor do they delight in his service.

I will ask him to give me the pardon of my sins. I have indeed too often sinned against him. I have indulged wicked thoughts, spoken improper and wicked words, and done, very many times, those things which I ought not to have done. The wages due to my sins, is death. It is of the Lord's mercies that I am not consumed. I will ask of him, through Jesus Christ, to pardon my sins. In the dear Saviour, mercy and