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their way over sterile wastes； that seemed even more dreary after a glimpse
of the green spots among the hills and valleys of Edom。 From the mountain
range overlooking this gloomy desert； rises Mount Hor； whose summit was to
be the place of Aaron's death and burial。 When the Israelites came to this
mountain； the divine command was addressed to Moses
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〃Take Aaron and Eleazar his son； and bring them up unto Mount Hor： and strip
Aaron of his garments； and put them upon Eleazar his son： and Aaron shall be
gathered unto his people； and shall die there。〃
Together these two aged men and the younger one toiled up the mountain
height。 The heads of Moses and Aaron were white with the snows of sixscore
winters。 Their long and eventful lives had been marked with the deepest
trials and the greatest honors that had ever fallen to the lot of man。 They
were men of great natural ability； and all their powers had been developed；
exalted； and dignified by communion with the Infinite One。 Their life had
been spent in unselfish labor for God and their fellow men； their
countenances gave evidence of great intellectual power； firmness and
nobility of purpose； and strong affections。
Many years Moses and Aaron had stood side by side in their cares and labors。
Together they had breasted unnumbered dangers； and had shared together the
signal blessing of God； but the time was at hand when they must be
separated。 They moved on very slowly； for every moment in each other's
society was precious。 The ascent was steep and toilsome； and as they often
paused to rest； they communed together of the past and the future。 Before
them； as far as the eye could reach； was spread out the scene of their
desert wanderings。 In the plain below were encamped the vast hosts of
Israel； for whom these chosen men had spent the best portion of their lives；
for whose welfare they had felt so deep an interest； and made so great
sacrifices。 Somewhere beyond the mountains of Edom was the path leading to
the Promised Landthat land whose blessings Moses and Aaron were not to
enjoy。 No rebellious feelings found a place in their hearts； no expression
of murmuring escaped their lips； yet a solemn sadness rested upon their
countenances as they remembered what had debarred them from the inheritance
of their fathers。
Aaron's work for Israel was done。 Forty years before； at the age of
eighty…three； God had called him to unite with Moses in his great and
important mission。 He had co…operated with his brother in leading the
children of Israel from Egypt。 He had held up the great leader's hands when
the Hebrew hosts gave battle to Amalek。 He had been permitted to ascend
Mount Sinai； to approach into the presence of God； and to behold the divine
glory。 The Lord had conferred upon the family of Aaron the
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office of the priesthood； and had honored him with the sacred consecration
of high priest。 He had sustained him in the holy office by the terrible
manifestations of divine judgment in the destruction of Korah and his
company。 It was through Aaron's intercession that the plague was stayed。
When his two sons were slain for disregarding God's express command； he did
not rebel or even murmur。 Yet the record of his noble life had been marred。
Aaron committed a grievous sin when he yielded to the clamors of the people
and made the golden calf at Sinai； and again； when he united with Miriam in
envy and murmuring against Moses。 And he； with Moses； offended the Lord at
Kadesh by disobeying the command to speak to the rock that it might give
forth its water。
God intended that these great leaders of His people should be
representatives of Christ。 Aaron bore the names of Israel upon his breast。
He communicated to the people the will of God。 He entered the most holy
place on the Day of Atonement； 〃not without blood；〃 as a mediator for all
Israel。 He came forth from that work to bless the congregation； as Christ
will come forth to bless His waiting people when His work of atonement in
their behalf shall be ended。 It was the exalted character of that sacred
office as representative of our great High Priest that made Aaron's sin at
Kadesh of so great magnitude。
With deep sorrow Moses removed from Aaron the holy vestments； and placed
them upon Eleazar； who thus became his successor by divine appointment。 For
his sin at Kadesh； Aaron was denied the privilege of officiating as God's
high priest in Canaanof offering the first sacrifice in the goodly land；
and thus consecrating the inheritance of Israel。 Moses was to continue to
bear his burden in leading the people to the very borders of Canaan。 He was
to come within sight of the Promised Land； but was not to enter it。 Had
these servants of God； when they stood before the rock at Kadesh； borne
unmurmuringly the test there brought upon them； how different would have
been their future！ A wrong act can never be undone。 It may be that the work
of a lifetime will not recover what has been lost in a single moment of
temptation or even thoughtlessness。
The absence from the camp of the two great leaders； and the fact that they
had been accompanied by Eleazar； who； it was well known； was to be Aaron's
successor in holy office； awakened a
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feeling of apprehension； and their return was anxiously awaited。 As the
people looked about them； upon their vast congregation； they saw that nearly
all the adults who left Egypt had perished in the wilderness。 All felt a
foreboding of evil as they remembered the sentence pronounced against Moses
and Aaron。 Some were aware of the object of that mysterious journey to the
summit of Mount Hor； and their solicitude for their leaders was heightened
by bitter memories and self…accusings。
The forms of Moses and Eleazar were at last discerned； slowly descending the
mountainside； but Aaron was not with them。 Upon Eleazar were the sacerdotal
garments； showing that he had succeeded his father in the sacred office。 As
the people with heavy hearts gathered about their leader； Moses told them
that Aaron had died in his arms upon Mount Hor； and that they there buried
him。 The congregation broke forth in mourning and lamentation； for they all
loved Aaron； though they had so often caused him sorrow。 〃They mourned for
Aaron thirty days； even all the house of Israel。〃
Concerning the burial of Israel's high priest； the Scriptures give only the
simple record； 〃There Aaron died； and there he was buried。〃 Deuteronomy
10：6。 In what striking contrast to the customs of the present day was this
burial； conducted according to the express command of God。 In modern times
the funeral services of a man of high position are often made the occasion
of ostentatious and extravagant display。 When Aaron died； one of the most
illustrious men that ever lived； there were only two of his nearest friends
to witness his death and to attend his burial。 And that lonely grave upon
Mount Hor was forever hidden from the sight of Israel。 God is not honored in
the great display so often made over the dead； and the extr