is left alone," and yet he had ten brethren—alone of his mother, the patriarch felt-sole record of that beloved one whom he had lost, and how might he let him depart? It is impossible to reflect on Jacob's intense love for Joseph and Benjamin, without fully imagining the suffering of their mother's loss. Silent he was, for who might question the decrees of the Most High; but faith and love for our Father in heaven does not forbid us to mourn. We are placed here to love each other; and if we love not those with whom we are in daily, hourly intercourse, how may we love God? Without love, earth would be a desert and heaven a void. The death of Leah is not recorded; we only know that she did not accompany the patriarch and his family to Egypt, and that she was buried with Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, in the cave of Machpelah. Left dependant on her tenderness and love, the extent of which we know, Jacob no doubt lavished warmer affection upon her, after the death of Rachel than before. How gratefully her pious heart must have traced this tranquil calm, which probably closed her days, to her God, we may infer from the thanksgiving with which every previous blessing had been received. But, as her future life can only be suggestion, much as imagination may love to dwell upon, our present task must be concluded. We have dilated already at so much length upon the characters of the sisters, and the instruction and consolation therein developed, that we need add little further now, except to notice what has always appeared a remarkable manifestation of the perfect equality of the sisters in their position as mothers of that race which is to last for ever. Ten tribes are lost-not to be discovered till the day which will behold the glorious and stupendous miracle of our restoration. The two which remain to bear witness to the mercy and justice of the Eternal, and the truth of His word, are JUDAH, the descendants of LEAH, and BENJAMIN the descendants of RACHEL, from one or other of which every Israelite (except the representatives of the Levites, who were accounted the priests of the Lord, not of the twelve tribes) traces his descent. Shall we then dismiss the beautiful record of Leah and Rachel, which the word of God contains, as a mere relation, concerning an age so long past as to appear almost fabulous and obsolete? Shall we not rather take it to our hearts, and, as women of Israel, feel it is of our own ancestry we read? Shall we not emulate the much enduring piety of Leah; and in all our afflictions—even in that of a lone and unloved heart-turn to her God, and emulate her rejoicing acknowledgment of blessings at his hand? Shall we not take warning of the loved and lovely Rachel, and feel that neither beauty nor love— the dearest love of man-can afford us happiness and joy, unless both are traced to, and held from the grace of God? That not in outward attraction-not even in human love-can blessedness exist, unless the vital spark, to give them rest and life and continuance, hath dwelling within, to lift up the whole soul to God. O better -far better-homeliness of form and face, with a guileless contented heart. Better-far better-a heart deso late of earthly sympathy, with the love of our Father in heaven, than beauty and grace and human love the fullest, dearest, combined with every worldly blessing-if these be sufficient for our need, and we pass through life without one thought of God. END OF THE FIRST PERIOD. |