| 151 had wrought out for them, in bringing them from the land of Egypt, and delivering nations, greater and stronger then [than] they, into their hands.
Their heroic actions, and warlike achievements spread far and wide, and spread terror and dismay amongst the people through whose country they had to pass.
The King of Moab, terror struck like the rest, and thinking it would be folly to hazard a battle with them; resorted to means the most extraordinary to stop the journey; and blast the expectations of the promised seed. Having called the Elders of Midain [Midian] together and loaded them with presents, he sent them to Balaam, who at that time dwelt in Pether, requesting him to come and curse the seed of Jacob. Extraordinary as was the conduct of Balack in sending for Balaam; yet, more so was that of Balaam in consenting to go on such a mission, after he had been forbid to do so by the God of heaven; and the remarkable circumstances which took place on his journey. On his arrival he would undoubtedly be received with the highest marks of respect, while every enducement [inducement] would be held out to him, provided he would curse the promised seed. After Balack had shown him, from the mountains of Moab the extended plains below, where the thousands of Israel had taken up a temporary abode, he requested altars to be erected and offered a bullock on every altar, but notwithstanding his frequent sacrifices, and his desire to oblige the King of Moab, he was not suffered to curse the favorite people of the Lord; but was constrained to bless them. Realizing that all attempts of cursing them were futile; he was obliged to exclaim, and by the spirit of inspiration too. "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, there is no divination against Israel, according to this time shall it be said of Jacob and of Israel what has God wrought."
To the children of Israel, heaven had indeed been favorable and manifested a peculiar regard, and had exerted a power in their behalf, sufficient to surprise the world: the facts of the plagues in Egypt, crossing the red sea, water issuing from the rock, the raining down of manna the over throw of Ammon, Moab and many other nations; and the final settlement of the children of Israel, in the land of Canaan; conspire to show forth the attributes of Jehovah, and cause every considerate man to exclaim "what has God wrought."
Nor has the Almighty ceased to be kind to the children of men; but since those events referred to, he has manifested his love and made known his power for the good of his people, in a great many instances, which might be enumerated, and will continue to display his power and shew [show] forth his glory to the end of time.
In our own day and generation, we have been favored with the manifestations of God, by the renewal of the new and everlasting covenant, the developement [development] of the principles of truth, the bringing forth of the ancient records, and the establishment of that kingdom, the glories of which have been the theme of the prophets, apostles and the saints of the most high, in every age. Although its introduction has not been attended with the thunderings of Sinai, the dividing of waters, and other circumstances as conspicuous to the work, yet there has been a glory, and a display of the love and power of the Almighty, not inferior to any preceding dispensation, and when all the circumstances which attended its introduction, and the almost overwhelming tide of opposition which it has since met with, are taken into consideration, as well as the great event which have already been accomplished, we may well exclaim "what has God wrought."
Twelve years have not yet rolled round since the world was in comparative darkness, ignorance, and superstition, and the fear of God was taught by the precepts of men,. and when the way of peace was not known, nor the principles of the gospel understood, each one was pursuing the way he thought best, all destitute of that principle which bringeth life and immortality to light; surely "darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the people."
Amid the variety of religions and the contention of the sects, a new era broke forth upon the world, and a light burst forth, which like the star which led the amazed shepherds to
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