with his wives and children, and all his possessions. Three days passed before Laban heard, and then, with anger, and a mind full of vengeance, he pursued. On the seventh day he overtook the fugitives in Mount Gilead.

It was night when he arrived, and Jacob knew it not, for he was sleeping in his tent. Now Laban could have suddenly fallen upon him, and bound him, and carried him back again; but he waited until the morning that he first might pour out his anger in bitter reproaches; but as he slept, the angel of God appeared to him, and warned him to beware of injuring by word or deed whom Jehovah had blessed.

When Jacob looked out upon the morning he was astonished to see a camp near his own. Soon Laban came out to meet him, but the words of bitterness which his heart had prepared, now died upon his lips; the warning of God checked his utterance. He therefore complained only, that Jacob had not allowed him to kiss his daughters, and to send him away after the fashion of his country, with music and feasting. Jacob said, "Because I was

afraid; for I said peradventure thou wouldst take by force thy daughters from me."

Though Laban was a worshipper of God, he followed also some of the superstitious practices of the people around him. He had images to which he paid devotion in his house. But Jacob had taught his wives that this was displeasing to Jehovah. Now Rachel had stolen these images, that her father might no more offend God by their use; but her husband knew it not. Laban complained of the theft and demanded restitution. Jacob bade him search the tents, and, if he found his images, slay the one who had stolen them.

Whilst her father was searching, Rachel hid them, so he found them not. Then was Jacob very angry at the unkind and injurious conduct of his father-in-law, and demanded why he had so fiercely pursued him, as if he were a fugitive slave, and then put him to the shame of searching his encampment, as if he were a robber, and had carried off his goods: seeing that for twenty years he had so faithfully served him, though, during that period, he had changed his wages ten times.

His father-in-law replied gently, for he remembered that God had warned him not to speak evil to Jacob; so they made a covenant and took an oath of peace towards each other. Then with blessings and fond embraces he bade adieu to his daughters and their children, and went his way.

As Jacob came towards his early home, he remembered the wrong he had done his brother and feared lest his anger should not be yet extinguished, so he sent messengers forward to Seir where Esau dwelt, with humble words of conciliation, styling himself "Thy servant, Jacob."

But Esau would not receive them, or hear them speak; he had not yet forgotten his deep vow of vengeance; and as soon as he heard of his brother's approach, he set out with four hundred men, determining to sacrifice him, his wives, and little ones, to his fury.

When Jacob heard this he was greatly afraid. Too truly had he experienced, from the first day of his fraud until now, that, though to his descendants God might give the blessing, yet himself had received but a small portion of its fulfilment. Yet he knew that even what he did

possess was undeserved, and what he suffered was but a just punishment for his sin.

He divided his followers and his substance into two bands, that at least one might have a chance of escape. Then he committed himself to the mercy of the Lord who had hitherto protected him. "I am not worthy," he cries, "of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, that thou hast shewed unto thy servant for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother; from the hand of Esau."

;

Then he took a great quantity of cattle, and sheep, and goats, and camels, and other things from the flock, and sent them over to meet Esau, hoping, by the richness of his gift, to turn away his anger. He remained in the same place that night. When all were retired to rest he arose and went forth from his tent, for his mind was troubled, and he could not sleep. The delicious breath of heaven fanned his brow, and the calm night looked

"But like daylight;

Such as the day is when the sun is hid."

The earth upon which he trod appeared gemmed with as many stars as the bright heavens above; for each was reflected in a drop of pearly dew, hanging upon each leaf, and flower, and blade of grass. The troubled soul of Jacob felt the holy influence of the scene, and sunk to repose humbly confiding in Jehovah's love.

Whilst he still lingered on the mountain's side, he saw a man approach. He came to the place where he was standing, and wrestled with him until the morning began to break, but he prevailed not. Then he said to Jacob, "Let me go for the day breaketh;" but Jacob answered, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me :" for it was an angel who wrestled. So he blessed him, and changed his name into Israel, saying, "As a prince hast thou wrestled with God and man, and hast prevailed." Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, signifying the "Face of God," for he said, "I have seen God, face to face, and my life is preserved."

When the morning fully arose he looked towards Seir, and, in the distant horizon, discerned a multitude approaching. They were Esau, and his followers. With a heart full of