569. It is difficult to believe that 12,000 of the Hebrew soldiers, could accomplish so much. The booty they obtained was immense. The number of the slain must have been immense also. But the discipline of 40 years in the wilderness, and especially the recent service in the battle-field, had given them a confidence and a hardy bravery that had rendered them invincible. They were not the weak and timid creatures their fathers were in Kadesh-barnea. They had come up under circumstances well fitted to give them strength and vigor of body, and a hardy bravery, that could not but contribute to success in their conflicts with surrounding nations.

570. That Moses should have ordered all the male children, and all married women and others that were corrupt to be put to death, and others unmarried and incorrupt, to be saved, has been often referred to as a dark spot on the pages of revelation, and especially that this should have been done by express command of God.

A few things may be offered in palliation of this transaction, if not as a full and complete excuse for it. One of the recent rebellions in the Hebrew camp, had been occasioned by the women of Midian; and that a very large number of women were engaged in this enterprise is certain, from the extent of the revolt among the Hebrew people. We know farther, that, among the idolatrous practices of all nations, lewdness the most disgusting, has been a prominent part of the worship paid to their divinities, and that the whole nation of the Midianites was exceedingly corrupt, under such circumstances, cannot be doubted.

571. The destruction of the women, therefore, may be regarded rather as a just judgment upon them for their abominable wickedness, than as an act of cruelty. The destruction of the children, now that their parents were destroyed, may be considered as a mercy rather than otherwise; and though it is a revolting transac

tion, under any circumstances, it is not to be too severely condemned when it becomes a necessity.

572. That the female children should have been saved alive, was in accordance with the usages of war, as we learn from the history of ancient nations, not as far back as the time of Moses. All that were taken captive in war, men, women and children, were considered the property of the conquerers, to be disposed of at their pleasure. They could destroy them or save them alive, as best suited their interest or convenience. They could not, in general, save alive the men, for that would endanger their own safety. And if they destroyed the men, why not their wives? It has been, to a considerable extent, the doctrine of the pa- . gans, that both should go into the other world at the same time. Hence the practice of burning the wives on the funeral pile of their husbands.

And the fathers and mothers gone, it was better to destroy the children than to leave them to perish by a lingering death.

573. It may be added that the reproach attached to the modes of warfare among the Indian tribes of our own country, would no doubt be wiped out, if we could understand the real motive by which the Indian warrior is influenced. It is not, I venture to assert, because he delights in the slaughter of innocent babes, that he destroys them with the parents, but he feels that that is the least of two necessary evils.

574. The females were most easily kept alive, and they could be made serviceable in the camp; and if disposed of as slaves, they would command a higher price. That these females were kept for sensual purposes, which is an infidel inference, has nothing to give it the least plausibility, but every thing against it. The record says no such thing. Many of the females were mere children. They were saved because they were safe, valuable booty, and so far as we know, and so far as we have any right to judge, for no other purpose. Some of them would become the

wives of the Hebrews, according to a law of that people "in such cases made and provided." Others would become servants, to be retained in bondage, or released, according to well defined conditions.

575. I would add again, that the laws of the Hebrews, in force at the time of the transaction now under review, forbid the idea that any of the Midian captives were saved for unworthy purposes. And it is especially unreasonable to charge Moses with having allowed any such liberty, immediately after having had so much trouble in the Hebrew camp on a similar

account.

576. That God commanded Moses, in the instances here given, to slay the men and married women and male children, and to save the female children alive, is not reported in this connection; and we have no right to charge upon the record what does not belong to it. The order to Moses and to the Hebrews to destroy all the nations of Canaan, men, women and children, will be considered in its proper place, should we be permitted to enter upon that field of labor, as we hope to do, at some other time. At present it is not required. What has been said above will suffice. 577. The prey obtained of the Midianites is given as follows:

Sheep, 675,000; Beeves, 72,000; Asses, 61,000; Persons, 32,000; Total 840,000. Of this one half was given to the people, and one half retained by the soldiers. The tribute of the people to the Lord, was one part in fifty, and that of the soldiers, was one part in five hundred. Add to this, that the officers, on their own account, paid into the treasury a portion of the booty amounting to 16,750 shekels of gold.

578. That there did not lack a man, as stated in verse 49th, must be restricted to the officers, as the language which follows, seems to require. The offering there referred to, was on their own account, and not as constituting any part of the tribute required by the army. And it was presented as a token of grati

tude, because they had none of them perished in the battle field.

SECTION XII.-THE TRIBES OF REUBEN AND GAD AND HALF OF MANASSEH SETTLE EAST OF THE JORDAN.

NUMBERS XXXII.

13. And the LORD's anger was kindled against Israel, and he 3. Ataroth, and Dibon, and made them wander in the wilderJaazar, and Nimrah, and Hesh-ness forty years, until all the genbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,

4. Even the country which the LORD Smote before the congrega-in your fathers' stead, an increase tion of Israel, is a land for cattle, of sinful men, to augment yet the and thy servants have cattle. fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel.