12. What did these Angels tell Abraham? They told him that he should certainly have a Son. And that the people of Sodom were so wicked that they were going to make enquiry to see if it was true, and if 90, they were to be destroyed.

V.

PRACTICAL ADDRESS.

We see how kind God was to Abraham and how kind Abraham was to these Angels. What a free and affectionate welcome did le give them. We hear that Abraham prayed for Ismael, and God heard his prayers. Children should pray for their parents. If you live be. fore God, you will live well, because you will feel that God is present wherever you are, and therefore you must not sin, because God is there. You see that Abraham was not too great to run for a calf, and Sarah was not too great to make cakes and bake them. Yet some boys would not have gone for a calf, no, not for the king, much more for strangers. They would order the servants to go and fetch one. But then they might not bring such a good one as you would, if you went yourself. Some young ladies are above making cakes, but they are not above eating them when

they are made. They would not dirty their hands to make puddings and pies, and yet they like to eat them. If you make them yourself, then you will not scold the servants for not making them good. Many a pudding, many a pie, and many a cake is spoiled, because Miss would not take the trouble to make them, or because Mamma was too busy to see them made. Let the daughters of Sarah learn to be good housekeepers, and I am sure you will not be sorry for it when you grow up. Look well ye young farmers to your flocks and herds. There are some young gentlemen farmers who do not know whether they have any 'good fat sheep or fat calves, they may be fat or lean for what they care about them. Take heed and beware of Sarah's sin, and be like Abraham, full of faith and good works. You may not live to be as old or as rich as Abraham was, but you be as kind to strangers as he was. Even a cup of cold water shall not lose its reward. Amen.

A HYMN.

Abraham and the three Angels.

WHEN Abraham dwelt on Mamre's plain,

Upon a certain day,

Three unknown strangers did appear,
As journeying on their way.

No sooner did he see these men,
For such he thought they were,
He ran to meet them from his tent,
And did obeisance there.

Pass not my tent, but turn aside,
While I some food prepare;
Come wash your feet and rest a while,
You shall be welcome here.

While Sarah at her lord's command
Some cakes of meal did make,
The Patriarch hasten'd to his herd,
From thence a calf to take.

All things were ready, soon prepar'd,
With milk and butter drest,
And near them Abraham waiting stood,

Well pleas'd with ev'ry guest.

Mark well! the kindness of this Man,

Be ye to strangers kind,

For all are strangers here on earth,

In heav'n a home we find.

S 5

R. M,

LECTURE

LECTURE -XVIII.

THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GO MORRAH.

GEN. 19. 24, 25.-Then the Lord rained

upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah, brimstone and fire from the Lord out of Heaven: And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. WHAT an aweful sight this must have been

to see fire pouring down from heaven on these cities, streams of liquid fire. A fiery flood, This was not water, but fire. What! were there no righteous persons in Sodom? Was there no one to pray for Sodom? No one to intercede with the Lord to spare these wicked people? Yes, there was one, a most powerful Intercessor, at whose request Sodom would have been spared, if only ten righteous persons had been found in the city. Abraham when he heard what the Lord was determined to do, was deeply impressed with the aweful judgment that was coming upon his wicked neighbours.

neighbours. It is said that while two of the Angels went on toward Sodom," that Abraham stood yet before the Lord;" that is, the third Angel, who is here called Jehovah, continued to converse with Abraham. The Patriarch being now aware that he was in the presence of the MOST HIGH, addressed him in the language of prayer. He interceded for Sodom. It is a remarkable intercession. No part must be omitted.

I. Let us attend to ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION for SODOM.

« And Abraham drew near and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righ teous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righte ous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the judge of all the earth do right? And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righte ous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me