We would only observe in reply, that God hath made it our duty to “pray one for another,” * And scripture abounds with records of the prevalence of such intercessions.  We have a striking influence in our subject—­Moses prayed for Israel and was heard—­“The Lord hearkened unto me at that time also.”  It doth not appear that Israel joined with Moses in his pleadings at the throne of grace on this occasion.  Moses went up into the mount, leaving Israel on the plain below—­“I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.  And Moses returned unto the Lord,” and pleaded in their behalf.  By his individual power, he seems to have prevailed.  This is only one instance out of many which might be adduced from the history of the saints—­of this saint in particular.  Yea, there seems to have been such power in the pleadings of this man of God, while praying for others, that when God would enter into judgment with them, Moses must be prevailed with to hold his peace, and not pray for them!  “The Lord spake unto me saying, I have seen this people, and behold it is a stiff necked people. Let me alone that I may destroy them—­and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.”  Let me alone!  As though God could not destroy them without Moses’ consent!—­ And I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they!  As though Moses must be bribed to silence, ere judgment could proceed against them!

* James v. 16.

This representation is not to be received without restriction; but we may safely infer that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”—­that it often draws down blessings from above on those who deserve no good.

This should encourage us to wrestle with God in prayer, for the effusions of his grace on those who deserve judgment without mercy, and who might receive it from the righteous sovereign, did the righteous hold their peace, and “let him alone.”

II.  When we witness this holy many [sic] praying to be blotted out of God’s book which he had written, it should remind us of our state as sinners whose only hope is mercy.  “Moses’ was faithful in all God’s house.”  His attainments in the divine life were scarcely equaled; yet must have perished forever had forgiving grace been denied him.  He knew his state; and a view of Israel’s danger called home his thoughts and led him to implore divine mercy for himself, though he should fail to obtain it for an ungrateful people.  “Oh! forgive the sin of this people, but if not, forgive my sin—­pardoning grace is all my dependence—­hope would fail should it be denied me.”

If Moses was thus conscious of guilt, who can say “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?—­O Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified—­ there is not a just man upon earth, who doeth good and sinneth not.”  While praying for others, it ill becomes us to forget ourselves.