rest Lot and his family and all his substance were taken. How did he now regret yielding to the enticing beauty of this land of sin; how mourn and call to God for deliverance, and he was answered; for his Lord knew him for a true worshipper, and though he suffered misfortune to attack, yet it might not overwhelm him.

An Hebrew servant belonging to Lot alone of all his family escaped, and fled with trembling haste to Mamre, where Abram dwelt, and there repeated his mournful story.

With the eager haste of affection Abram arose, and summoned all his servants and dependants, and pursued the conquering kings. It was night when he came upon their encampment, where in all the negligence and ease that security and recent victory could inspire, they confidently reposed. He divided his servants, and on both sides attacked the camps; they yielded and fled as far as Hobah, leaving the spoil they had just secured in Abram's hands; and what was of more value than all, Lot and his family were restored to freedom, together with the rest of the pri

soners.

When Abram returned towards Sodom with his brother, the king came forth to meet him, and received him with great honour, as the defender of his people; those people too whom he had restored to freedom,-wives to their husbands, parents to their children, and friends to each other's love. How did they bless him, kiss the hand which had so unexpectedly snatched them from impending slavery or death, and had slain those who carried them away captives.

But amongst the throng that came forth with clamorous delight to meet the dear ones thus restored, and bless the restorer, or with kingly magnificence to receive him as a prince and conqueror,-amidst the tearful and tremblingly told gratitude that gushed like the soft swelling of a fountain of water from the hearts of women, throbbing with gratitude too deep for ready utterance,-amidst the loud shoutings of applause that burst from manly hearts and the clamorous voices of youth, Abram proceeded without one proud thought or lifting up of heart. To God, who, by his instrumentality had set these free, he gave the

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praise. And why did not they too praise that merciful God? Alas! they cast him behind their backs; they would not know or acknowledge Him, but worshipped idols of wood and stone.

But who is this that advances before the throng, clad in his sacerdotal garments, and bearing in his hand bread and wine? As he appears, the voices of the multitude are hushed in reverent silence, even the kings and nobles gave way before him; as unheeding all he passes on with a sacred dignity to Abram :—It is Melchisedec, -great as a monarch, but still greater and more sacred in his character of a priest of the Most High God. Heathens though these were, yet did the sanctity of this high Office impress them with a feeling of respect and awe.

Abram, though a prince great and powerful, though a conqueror proceeding in triumph, yet acknowledged in God's priest one superior to himself, and with humility and thankfulness received from him a blessing. In presence of the silent multitude, the priest and king spread forth his hands towards heaven; and with a loud voice exclaimed, "Blessed be Abram of the most High God, possessor of Heaven and earth, and

blessed be the most High God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thine hand." And Abram gave him tithes, or the tenth part of all he had taken, as an offering of gratitude to the mighty God who had helped him.

The king of Sodom also offered to Abram all the goods that he had recovered from Chedorlaomer, as a reward for setting free his people. But Abram desired not riches, the delight arising from the performance of his noble deed and the blessing of God pronounced by His Priest was sufficient. "I will not take," said he, "so much as a shoe latchet from you, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich." Lest, when through the peculiar blessing of the Lord he grew mighty and powerful, this heathen should take the honour to himself.

After these things the Lord again repeated his assurances of blessing and protection to Abram, saying, "Fear not, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward."

But he had no child-none to bear his name after him, or continue his honours. He prayed therefore to God, saying "Lord what wilt thou give me? I have no child, and one of my house

of the "Look

hold servants will inherit all I have." Abram did not in speaking thus doubt the gracious promises with which he was favored; but he entreated an earlier fulfilment of them. In this he sinned not, for hear the reply full goodness and abundant grace of God. now toward heaven, and number the stars if thou be able; thus innumerable shall thy seed be; thus eminent in glory; thus dazzling in the beauty of holiness."

"And he believed in Jehovah, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."

When Abram humbly asked of God a sign of these great things; he gave that also. He commanded him to prepare an offering by the going down of the sun. He then sent upon him a deep sleep, and the Spirit of God passed like a smoking furnace, and a lamp of fire between the pieces of the sacrifice. In this sleep the Lord revealed to him that his posterity should be for four generations strangers in a strange land, until the iniquity of the Canaanites should be filled up, and they be ripe for the vengeance of Heaven.