our knowledge, we wander carelessly through life, leaving the mighty interests of hereafter to ignorance and chance, we shall be left to lament our madness in time, through the endless torments of eternity.

"And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him."

IF we except that pure and perfect model of every human excellence, who while possessed of all the attributes of God, condescended in the likeness of man to be tempted like as we are, yet without sin; there is, perhaps, no character introduced to our notice by the sacred historians, from the study of which we may arise with

greater profit, than that of the patriarch Abraham. Whether as a chosen servant or an humble follower of God, his history is replete with interest, and abounds with instruction. He is not, indeed, exhibited to us as one in whom was no guile; yet, if in some minor points he fell before the temptation that assailed him, he still shines forth in the weightier matters of the law, as a bright example for us to imitate.

Remembering mercy in the midst of judgment, the Almighty obscurely hinted to Adam, that in the course of time the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head, and a Saviour hereafter come, to gain a victory over that grave which his transgression had planted, and to pluck the sting from that death which his rebellion had introduced. The walk of Enoch terminated in the mansions of glory, without conducting him by the beaten road which passes through the valley of the shadow of death; and raising him at once from earth to heaven, placed him in possession of those joys, which are incorruptible, undefiled, and which fade not away. The

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righteousness of Noah found such acceptance before the throne of grace, as bore himself and kindred over the ruins of the world, when the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened; and when rescued from a temporal death, a subsequent command to be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, was the reward of him who had found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

But when the earth glowed with renewed existence, and the evil race of an evil parent again caused the savour of corruption to ascend; it was reserved for Abraham to be snatched as a brand from the burning, and to arise at the command of God, out of the midst of an idolatrous and wicked generation, to leave his country, his kindred, and his father's house, and go into a land which God should show him. But this command, which must have severed all the tender ties which time and nature had united, was softened to him whose age exceeded three score years and ten, by an accompanying promise from Jehovah, that

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He would make of him a great nation and bless him, for from him should spring the promised seed, through whom each family of the earth was to be blessed. With such a promise to animate his obedience, and such a revelation to strengthen his faith, the pious patriarch went on his way rejoicing; assured that in the fulness of time the purpose of Jehovah would be accomplished, as He was faithful who had promised. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither he went; by faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles; for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Under the guidance of His almighty and protecting arm, but ignorant whither his footsteps led him, he journeyed onward till he arrived at a land which was the glory of all lands; a land flowing with milk and honey; and as he contemplated the fertile plains upon which the clouds dropped fat