“’And it came to pass, that when the people removed from their tents to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, that as they that bare the ark were come into Jordan, and the feet of the priests were dipped in the brim of the water, that the waters that came down from above stood and rose up upon a heap; and the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground.’

“’And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood; and they are there unto this day.’

“’When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land; for the Lord your God dried up the waters from before you until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up, until we were passed over; that all people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty:  that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever,’ Amen.  Josh. 1:11; chap. 3, 4.

“Oh, thou Jehovah; Israel’s God, and by thy new covenant, my God; thus far hast thou brought me through the wilderness:  bearing, chastising, forgiving, restoring.  Well hast thou made out thy wilderness name to me:  ’The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.’  Great have been my provocations, but greater still thy covenant mercy.  I have not perished with them that believed not; sore bitten I am, but thou hast fixed mine eyes on the lifted-up Healer, and I am in his hand for further cure.  My journey has been long, and my way devious; but my blessed Joshua is still in view.  I must be near to Jordan’s flood; I have been preparing victuals from thine own repository of truth.  And now, my blessed High-priest and Ark of the covenant, lead on my staggering steps the little further.  I have not gone this way heretofore, but thou hast measured these waters while they overflowed all their banks.  Thou hast passed through, and made the passage safe for thy people.  At thy command the waters stand up upon a heap, and they pass through in thy presence on faith’s firm ground.  Keep then mine eye upon thee, and I shall fear no evil.  And Oh, my, blessed Leader, if it might please thee, I would ask a boon, yet with submission, that thy sensible presence might be with me all the way through; and that thou wouldst bring from my quivering lips a testimony to the glory of thy grace, that my children may know that thou hast pardoned, restored, perfected, dried up the waters of terror, carried me triumphantly through, and put me in possession of the purchased inheritance.  Amen.

“’This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.’ 1 Tim. 1:15.