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and Joseph, which, however, I shall defer until another opportunity, when we are by ourselves. In the mean time, let me direct your attention to the lovely sky, those matchless tints, and purely white clouds! on them angels ride, my child, and on the wings of the wind, is the Lord's chariot. Look up at the pure, etherial blue! that is heaven, my love; no inequality or roughness is there. Peace is there, and the golden harp. All is still. What poor, miserable dwarfs are we, when we look to the glory of God's kingdom !—“ Oh, mamma! look at that soldier, on horseback, coming this way! why, mamma, does God allow war?" It is one of man's afflictions, which arises from his nature, his restlessambition, covetousness, and lust. Therefore, God allows it as a rod in his almighty hand, for the punishment of the sins of the world. Brother is turned against brother, as you have already had a melancholy example in the conduct of Joseph's brethren. "And will the horse fight, Mamma?" Yes, my love, he is a noble animal, and will face the gun, sword, and the lance. He is thus beautifully described in the Bible.

"The glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength. He goeth on to meet the armed men; he mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted, neither turneth he back

from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and anger, neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha! ha! And he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains and the shouting."

ABRAHAM THE PATRIARCH,

AND

The Offering of his only belovedSon.

"Pray, Mamma, tell me about the second Adam. I hope his history is as interesting as that of the first, and that his garden is as beautiful, and that he never sinned against God." Thou art a darling child, to be so anxious to know the second Adam ; and I trust that he will know thee, my love, so that the light of his countenance may shine upon thee, for his face is the brightness of glory, and he is the express image of God. You will remember, that I mentioned that Abraham was the grandfather of Jacob. He was a heathen and idolater, and at this period there was no people that could be called the children of God on earth; but he now called Abraham by a vision, and elected him to be the father of nations, that is, a people who were to be called the children of God; but he was not called because of his righteousness, for there was none righteous on

earth, no not one. Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, was promised to him. "And," Mamma, "without money and without price?" Yes, my love; he, therefore, left his home and all his friends, believing that God would fulfil his promise, taking with him his wife Sarah and nephew Lot. When he arrived in Canaan, God gave him land and cattle in abundance. He however, went through many heavy afflictions and domestic troubles, and he had no child by his dear wife Sarah until he was ninety years of age. When he was very old, he had his only son Isaac, whom, when about 30 years of age, and in the prime of life, and having engaged to himself the affections of his aged father, God commanded Abraham to take and offer as a sacrifice, by killing and burning him upon an altar. "O, Mamma, how terrible!" Nay, my child, did I not tell you God was merciful? No doubt all the angels of heaven assembled to behold the solemn rite. No sooner was the commandment given, than Abraham saddled his ass, and taking with him his beloved Isaac, proceeded towards the place appointed. On their arrival near the place, the wood being made ready, with which he was to be burnt, and which Isaac himself carried to the altar, Abraham bound his son, and stretched forth his hand to take the knife to slay him. But the God of mercies, by the voice of

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