might open the way, to leave the society of ido. laters and return to her native land.

The incidents which have been related took place at a very remote period of time, and affected individuals in whose affairs we feel, perhaps, that we have no personal concern. But the dealings of God with Elimelech and his family are matters to us of deep interest. We should learn from what they did, and from what befell them, the lessons of wisdom. In seasons of calamity, as at all other times, the only place of safety is that of duty. We had better suffer with the children of God, and in our appropriate sphere of serving him, than to seek relief, even if we are sure of finding it, on forbidden ground, and among the worldly-minded and wicked.

To the faithful Israelite, Bethlehem, with all the temporal distress that it endured, was the home of his heart; nor could he be persuaded to leave it, by the promises of deliverance and ease which Moab might offer. Similar temptations will never cease to assail the believer as he along the course of his pilgrimage. But let him. remember the fate of Elimelech and his two sons. Let him keep near to God and his people, and pray to be delivered from the influence of an ensnaring and corrupting world.

passes

CHAPTER II.

Naomi sets out on her return to Bethlehem. Orpah and Ruth accompany her. The former turns back. The latter clings to her mother-in-law.

Glad news, at length, greeted the ears of Naomi. She had been anxious to receive it, and watching every rumor from Judea which would afford her the least favorable intelligence. The famine, she now learned, had ceased. Plenty was again cheering the hearts of the people. Could she but reach her long-desired Bethlehem, and find herself at home once more, where the wickedness of idolaters would no longer assail or entice her, and where she could enjoy the privilege of worshiping with her countrymen the God of her fathers,-how great would be her gratitude to him, and how devoted her future life to his service. She looked above for guidShe prayed for divine aid. The path of duty appeared plain. Her purpose was formed; and she began to make the preparations which were necessary for the journey.

ance.

They occupied but little time. She neither expected nor received any assistance from her acquaintance among the Moabites. It does not appear that even the families into which her

sons had married, proffered a helping hand to encourage her on her way. It is much more probable that they did what they could to dissuade her from the undertaking, and reproached her for her folly and rashness. No camel, or attendants for protection, were furnished this poor widow, thus about to return to her native land. She must take the long journey on foot, with such conveniences only for her personal comfort as she could carry with her, or hope to receive from the hospitality of strangers. So that she soon was in readiness to bid the land of Moab a final farewell. Must not Naomi, under such circumstances, have partaken largely of the faith of Abraham, and like him relied with an unshaken confidence on the guardianship of Jehovah. What but this could have inspired her with such heroic resolution, or sustained her in view of the hardships and dangers she might have to encounter.

There are

She is on the eve of departure. two who cannot endure the separation. They cling to Naomi with the affection of children. They are her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, -the widows of her sons,—whom she has caused to love and respect her as if she were their own mother. Although brought up in the midst of idolatry, they have learned to appreciate the character and the virtues of this excellent woman

Doubtless she has taught them much of the true God, and of their duty to him; and we shall soon have reason to believe that one of them, at least, is, in heart, of the faith of Israel.

They propose to accompany her; it may be the whole extent of the journey, but, at any rate, some distance on the way. She consents, though reluctantly; and they have not advanced far when Naomi's misgivings increase with regard to the propriety of what she is permitting them to do. It may be that they have stolen away without the knowledge of their friends. She may have to suffer the imputation of enticing them from their homes in a clandestine manner, and thus reproach will be brought upon her, not merely as an individual, but as an Israelite and a worshiper of the true God. Or if this is not so, she may fear their exposure to the dangers that will beset their path between Moab and Judea. She may doubt, too, whether her kindred will welcome the arrival of two such strangers from a heathen land.

For some one or all of these reasons, or others of equal weight, Naomi feels constrained, severe as is the struggle in her own breast, to make the sacrifice of parting for ever from her beloved Orpah and Ruth, and to proceed, a solitary tra veler, on the journey that is before her. "Go," says she, with an aching heart, while the words

falter on her lips,-"Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The Lord grant that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband." She embraces them, and gives the farewell kiss; and they all weep aloud.

But Orpah and Ruth cannot leave their motherin-law. They will not consent to go back. "Surely we will return with thee unto thy people," is their affectionate expostulation.

"Turn again, my daughter," still urges Naomi ; "why will ye go with me?"-She has no encouraging prospects in her own land to invite them to accompany her. Poor and friendless, (for she knows not whether she shall find her kindred in Bethlehem surviving,) and without sons to marry her widowed daughters-in-law, according to the customs of the Israelites, and provide for their comfort; she can see before them, should they go to Judea, nothing but the same adversity to which she appears herself to be destined. She fears she is still to endure the chastisements of the Lord, and would spare those whom she loves so tenderly the participation of her sufferings. "Turn again, my daughters; why will ye go with me?—It grieveth me much for your sakes, that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me."

Again they weep aloud. Nature seeks relief in