Christians, like Abraham, are called by God to leave the things that are seen, for those that are not seen. Like him they trust God, looking for a heavenly country, and hoping for the glory not yet revealed. 1 JOHN, 3:2. "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor; and they served other gods." JOSH. 24: 2. "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." HEB. 11:8. The call of Abraham was about midway between the creation and the birth of Christ. CHANGE OF NAME. How does Abram differ in signification from Abraham? ABRAM, means a high father. ABRAHAM, signifies the father of many, or of a multitude. This change in his name was made by God himself, as a token that the divine promise which had been given him, that he should be the father of many nations, would certainly be fulfilled. God entered into covenant with Abraham, and gave to him circumcision, as a token of that covenant. GEN. 17:2, 9-11. ABRAHAM IN CANAAN. Abraham had never more any fixed habitation. He was a stranger and a pilgrim in the land of promise, often removing from one place to another. Wherever he pitched his tent, he raised an altar and worshipped God. The Lord Jehovah often appeared to him in dreams and visions, or met him as an Angel, || or in the form of man, and conversed with him as friend to friend. ABRAHAM'S FAITH. Abraham stands above all other men in the greatness of his faith. It is this which makes his name illustrious. He is called the father of the faithful. True faith will be known by its fruits: it cannot exist without being fruitful. Its fruit is obedience. Faith is accounted by God as righteousness. REHEARSAL. Nine generations after Shem, He called him, led him by the hand: And brought him into Canaan's land; To Abram and his seed alone, The glorious promises were made; WAR. The first battle mentioned in Scripture, is that of the four kings against five, in the vale of Siddim. Many wars had undoubtedly raged upon the earth; for men were wicked, nations. were corrupt, and "the earth was filled with violence." "All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea." GENESIS 14:3. Low in the Dead sea lies concealed There let it lie. Woe, woe the thought, Have scarred the earth with fields of blood! Oh, happy future, when no more "Peace to the world; peace, peace to thee !" At what period of the world's history were Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed? Four hundred and fifty years after the deluge: one hundred years after the death of Noah. How was Lot saved? LOT. By the assistance of angels, who came to him in the guise of strangers, or travellers. They warned him of his danger, and aided him in his flight. In like manner, we believe that at the hour of death good men are assisted and comforted. by angels. They are borne on angels' wings from a wicked world to a land of everlasting joy and safety. LOT'S WIFE. What was the sin of Lot's wife? She looked back. Was this all? Does not this looking back imply an intention of turning back? The crime of Lot's wife was similar to that of Eve, disobedience-the sin that brought ruin on mankind. She looked back, and was struck dead on the |