JOSHUA; OR, THE YOUNG MAN'S

COURAGE.

"And he gave Joshua, the son of Nun, a charge, and said, Be strong, and of a good courage."-Deut. xxxi. 23.

COURAGE is of essential importance in a world like ours, for cowards never succeed; how can they? A coward is a discreditable character; a courageous man is always honourable. True courage is calm, patient, and persevering. It looks difficulty in the face, examines its resources, fixes on its end, and perseveres until it is obtained. Some people take passion for courage; but passion is hasty, boisterous, and fitful; it seldom succeeds. Passion is often united to cowardice, and sets the coward boasting and swaggering; but it fails in the field, it is extinguished in the heat of battle. Courage will always have plently to do, and it will do it. The courageous are a blessing to many. Joshua was

a type of Jesus,-his name signifies a Saviour. Joshua is an example for young men, -his life is a copy they should strive to write after. Aged Moses, just about to leave Israel on the edge of the wilderness, on the borders

of the promised land, called the young man Joshua and gave him a charge, and said, "Be strong, and of a good courage." COURAGE WAS REQUIRED. Look at the work, he had to win Canaan for Israel. The inhabitants were many. They were used to war. They would fight for their homes, their families, and their own lives. They would fight like desperadoes. Each nation must be conquered. Every foot of land must be won before it could be possessed. Look at his troops. They were unused to war. They were undisciplined. Under Moses their

courage failed, and more than once they wished to return to Egypt. They had no war-horses or war-chariots like their foes. Looked upon with the eye of sense, they were unequal to the conflict. Look at his office. It was to lead, to command, to inspirit, and to save them. What a task for a young man! What a work for any man! Surely, if ever man needed courage, Joshua did; Moses knew that, therefore he said, "Be strong, and of a good courage.”

Moses was

COURAGE WAS COMMANDED. God's mouth to Joshua, and he commands him in God's name to be courageous. God commands all his servants to exercise courage. He has a right to command. He will not command unkindly. He cannot command wrong. His love, wisdom, holiness, and justice, forbid the possibility of this. commands what he loves. He commands

He

If we saw things

what is for our good. aright, we should see that there is as much love in a precept as in a promise. He intended to bestow the courage he required. Like every other good gift, it comes down from the Father of lights, in whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. His commands tell us what he requires,-his Spirit teaches us what we need,-his promises shew what he is willing to bestow, and in answer to prayer we receive grace, whereby we may serve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Let us never shrink from a precept, draw back from a duty, or fear to engage in any enterprise for God's glory; for though we may feel unequal to the task, unfitted for the work, in answer to prayer the Lord will make the feeble among us as David, and give us the courage of a Joshua. Only let us make sure of our call, and find our warrant in God's word; then we may fearlessly exclaim with Paul, "I can do all things, through Christ which strengtheneth me. The Lord will be honoured by our faith and obedience. He is often trying our faith, and asking the question, "Will you believe me ?" As often he tries our docility, and asks, "Will you obey me?" God loves to see his children believe his promise, and unhesitatingly take him at his word. He loves also to see his children obedient, and endeavour to do what he bids them. Faith honours God's veracity, obedience honours God's

authority, and God honours both with the crown of his blessing. Young friends, God commands you to display courage in his cause, to play the man; he has a right to command; he will give what he commands if you seek it, and he wishes you to honour him by your faith and obedience.

COURAGE WAS OBTAINED. Joshua became courageous, and is an example for us. He obtained courage partly through his intimacy with Moses. He attached himself to that venerable servant of the Lord. He saw him work, he heard him speak, he observed him pray. Partly by his fellowship with God. He appears to have been much with God; to have found almost a home in the tabernacle. He lived at the fountain of strength and courage; no wonder, therefore, if he became courageous and strong. If we were more with God, we should be more like God. If we were more devout, we should be more devoted. If we were more prayerful, we should be less careful of man's opinion or of man's power. The way to be what God requires, is to live in close fellowship with the God who requires. Partly by his faith in the promise. God gave him his word that he would be with him, that he would go before him, and would drive out his enemies from before him. He believed this. He felt satisfied that God meant just what he said, that he would do just as he promised. The pillarcloud was withdrawn after the death of Moses,

it was no longer necessary; but the ark and the mercy-seat remained. God was present in the camp; and a present God, realized by faith, fortified his mind, encouraged his heart, and emboldened his spirit. Faith will make a man invincible. Nothing can daunt, discourage, or drive back, a strong and steady believer; therefore said one, when he knew that in every place bonds and afflictions were awaiting him, "None of these move me, neitheir count I my life dear unto my myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry that I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Partly by power in prayer, Like all devout persons, he had power with God."

He first fought his battles on his knees before the mercy-seat; he conquered his foes in secret before God; and then went to meet them in the open field, and chase them as the hunted hart. If we can succeed with God, we are sure to prevail with men. What is begun with powerful prayer, is almost sure to end with joyful praise. In addition to his intimacy with Moses, his fellowship with God, his faith in the promise, and his power in prayer, he was favoured with the co-operation of the great Captain of salvation. Hence we read, "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand and Joshua went unto him, and said

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