mulated evil from the violent passions and ungovernable mind which he manifested. But Abel was meek and gentle, and bowed to the dispensation of his Maker without a word of accusation or despair. The promise which God had given to raise man from his fallen estate, was to him more than a recompense for the temporary griefs and ills to which he was subjected. He strove to solace his brother, and to wean his mind from self-inflicted miseries. He spoke kind words to his mother, and never dwelt upon the thought that it was her disobedience which had exiled them all from the garden of God.

Cain was a tiller of the earth. He went forth at dawn into a beautiful and fertile valley, generally accompanied by his eldest sister, who attached herself more peculiarly to him as a companion and protector; and while he trained the vine or the delicious wild fruits, which grew spontaneously in every grove and dingle, or planted herbs for food, his sister gathered and prepared the noon-day repast, spreading it upon the green. sward, near some bubbling brook, that carried refreshing coolness through the scene. At night a hymn of prayer and thanksgiving arose in the cheerful home where they all assembled; in which, however, Cain, by degrees, came not to join. His sullenness was his own torment. He felt that reproaching his parents, even in thought, was a crime against

their kindness and affection; yet his pride restrained him from pursuing another and a better course.

Abel was a shepherd, keeping his flocks in the verdant plains, providing food and skins for the family, which last his sisters and mother wrought into clothing. by his younger sister, who was ever by his

ence.

Abel was beloved

side, the gayest, the most light-hearted, and most lovely creature then in existAbel, as he looked upwards towards the sun by day, and to the stars by night, thought only of the goodness of God in leaving the world so full of beauty, and with so much to gratify the wishes and supply the wants of his creatures after their disobedience. His reverence and love were unbounded; and if he had a sorrow, it was that the dark and desponding words of his brother Cain were calculated still further to incense the Almighty against mankind. Often would he remonstrate tenderly with him, and beseech him to pray for power of mind and courage to support his doom without repining: but in vain. Cain, in his solitary toil, had acquired a habit of brooding over bitter thoughts, which gathered strength from day to day, and at last engendered feelings which were like hate; and would have been such, but that there was no object on which such a deadly passion could be vented.

It was a beautiful summer evening. The music of the birds

as they were settling to slumber, the murmur of the wild bees, returning to their several homes laden with honey, the rustling of the leaves overhead, the tinkling of the stream as it flowed over a bed of pebbles, the lowing of distant kine, the odours of the flowers, which shed their sweetest perfume as the day declined, and the lovely hues of sunset, had disposed all things to peace, and to that melancholy joy which subdues and softens the sternest natures. Abel and Cain were returning from the scene of their several labours, to the groves wherein they had reared the rude but pleasant huts which formed their home. Abel, by mild and bland persuasion, had succeeded in obtaining a promise from his brother, that on the morrow he would erect an altar, and prepare an offering for the Lord. On that night Cain joined in the householdworship of his family, and all were happier than they had been for some time. It was a sweeter reunion of heart than the world had then known,

With the first burst of sunlight over the hills, Abel was at the door of his brother's hut, to awake and lead him forth to fulfil his promise. Cain was in deep but disturbed sleep, and marks of anger were upon his countenance. At the call of Abel he arose, but with no good-will to perform his promise of the previous evening. He had dreamed, he said, of Paradise; of the glorious destiny which had been prepared for

man, and from which his mother's crime and his father's folly had excluded them. Why," he exclaimed, with bitterness, "when they had plucked the fruit of the forbidden tree, did they not also gather of the tree of life, and become immortal!" "Cain, Cain!" replied his brother, "this is impious, and will provoke the wrath of our all bountiful Creator."

Then leave me, Abel. I am not as thou art; nor my thoughts and feelings as thine. I cannot regard the curse, which I have never incurred, as a doom which I should bear unshrinkingly. My vision of the night has taught me that it is as unjust as unmerited."

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Oh, brother!" said Abel, "banish such evil thoughts: they will lead to greater ills, and bring down upon us all a judgment still harder to endure. Let us hasten to prepare the sacrifice together. I have already raised two altars on which to make our offerings. God rejects not the prayers of his creatures. Pray to him for peace of mind; and for his grace to keep us from renewed temptations."

"I have promised to follow thy example," said Cain," but am hopeless to obtain that peace of which thou speakest, till I shall be even as the lambs that thou slayest to offer to the Most High. I have thought of death as a release from toil.”

Abel was silent. The words of his brother inspired him

with strange and terrible feelings, which he hoped would be calmed by the act of worship in which they were about to join.

The altars, which were constructed of mingled turf and stones, were soon in readiness. Abel brought and slew a lamb, the firstling of his flocks, to offer as a burnt-offering. Cain gathered flowers, and herbs, and fruit, and placed upon his altar. When each had kindled a flame beneath his chosen sacrifice, Abel knelt and prayed fervently to the Almighty for blessing and protection to his parents, his brother, his sisters, and himself; and the flame of his offering ascended bright and straight towards the clear blue sky: but Cain stood erect beside his offering, leaning on the wooden spade with which he had obtained the roots, of which it was partly formed, and disdaining to utter a word. His scornful lip and angry eye seemed to indicate that he defied the wrath of his Maker, and that he was too proud to stoop to supplication, even to the throne of Mercy. Presently a rushing whirlwind arose, and the sacrifice of Cain, together with the altar on which it had been laid, were scattered upon the earth.

Cain muttered awful words against the element, which had destroyed his offering. But Abel enjoined him to pray, in order to avert Jehovah's anger.