CONQUEST. o9

sion in the land of Canaan, they were to assemble the
people on two mountains there, Mounts Gerizim and
Kbal, to sacrifice to the Lord, and to hear the law read.
Joshua and all the Israelites assembled now to obey this
command.

George. But they had not conquered all the country
at that time.

Grandfather. Not nearly the whole of it, but they had
conquered so much of it as to enable them to reach the
place appointed. Had they been unwilling for the duty,
they might have sought for a pretext to put it off to
what might seem a more convenient season. They were
almost surrounded by hostile nations, who, by their de-
laying to attack them, might have had time to band
themselves together, which would have rendered their
attack more formidable. The Israelites were commanded
to take possession of the land of Canaan, and they might
urge that the more speedily they proceeded with their
conquests, the more easily the land would be subdued.
But they had learned—and it would be well if we could
learn the same lesson—that that is a bad business which
hinders us from minding the one thing needful. They
built an altar on Mount Ebal, and offered sacrifices to
God, sacrifices of thanksgiving for the favour He had al-
ready shewn to them, and sacrifices of supplication for
His guidance in what was yet before them. We learn
from this that the way to prosper is to live ever near to
God, acknowledging him by prayer and praise. While
they were engaged in the reading of the law, six of the