which in our text is called the seventh month, had been always deemed the first month of the year ; but when God brought his people out of Egypt, he ordered them, in remembrance of that event, to reckon their year differently, and to begin it in the spring, instead of the autumn*. Still however, in their civil and political matters, they retained the original mode of reckoning ; and, except in their ecclesiastical concerns, this continued to be the first month in the year. This day then was the first day in the new year; and the feast of trumpets was to them " a memorial ; " a memorial of mercies received, and of mercies promised:
1. Of mercies received —
[It is possible that the creation of the world, which was supposed to have been in the autumn, (when so many of the fruits are ripe,) was then particularly commemorated. But we apprehend that the mercies of the preceding year were then reviewed ; and grateful acknowledgments were made to God for them. This seems to be a fit employment for the com- mencement of a new year; and every succeeding year must of necessity bring with it many renewed occasions for praise and thanksgiving. Even though the nation should have been visited with judgments, still those judgments are so dispropor- tioned to men's ill desert, and are always blended with so many mercies, that there could not fail of being always abundant reason for joy and gratitude.
The blowing of the trumpets would awaken the attention of the people to the duties of the day, and bring to their recol- lection some at least of those mercies, which they were now called upon to acknowledge.]
2. Of mercies promised —
[In this sense the term " memorial" is often used in Scrip- ture. The stones on Aaron's breast-plate were a " memorial," to remind the people, that God regarded them as his peculiar care, and bore them upon his heart b. The atonement-money, which was to be paid on numbering the people, was also a " memorial" of the security which was assured to them under God's protecting handc. The frankincense which from week to week was put upon the shew-breadd, was of a similar nature ; for whilst it reminded God of his people and their necessities, it was a pledge to them that he would supply their wants. Moreover, the Psalmist, expressly referring to this feast, says,
a Exod. xii. 2. t> Exod. xxviii. 12, 29.
c Exod. xxx. 1G. d Lev. xxiv. 7.